November is here, and that means that application deadlines for universities across the country are steadily approaching. The final semesters of high school can carry with them a tremendous amount of pressure. Some of the first major life decisions often come with graduation and choosing colleges.
As a parent, it is difficult to find the right balance of supporting and guiding your teen through the process. For moms and dads who want their teens to survive and succeed the transition, here are some great tips for navigating the pre-college season.
Helping Them Identify Their Passions
Every child is different, and this is certainly true of teenagers during the college search. Some teens have identified their career path and have the next fifteen years mapped out. But more commonly, students feel uncertain about growing up and choosing a road into the future.
As a parent, your role as a wise counselor is to gently point out the gifts, talents and interests which you see in your son or daughter. This can help your student to realize what they enjoy and are successful at which might point towards the right major.
For parents, this is a tricky role to play because the only thing consistent about many kids between the ages of 15 and 20 years old is that they will change their minds at least once a week. But in this time of change, you can be a steady reminder for your child that it is okay to explore different ideas even though the decision seems overwhelming at the moment.
Advising About Debt
One of the more difficult parts of the college decision comes down to finances. And this is also an area where parents have a lot of input. When it comes to funding tuition there are two keys to remember:
1.Don’t be afraid to dream and
2.Don’t be afraid to be realistic.
The current economy makes it more important than ever to work within a real budget and think seriously about taking on debt. In the past many students were unafraid of debt because big jobs awaited them on the other end of graduation. But today, that is not really the case. Months, perhaps even a year, of searching and applying await new graduates. So it is important to kindly help your teens realize debt as a major factor in their decision.
At the same time, this does not mean that you can’t encourage your child to dream and to apply to schools that seem far beyond the realm of affordability. There is always the chance for an amazing scholarship or special program that can make the dream a possibility. Just make sure that they are willing to let go of their ideal if it stays outside the price range. Though it is less romantic, there is always community college or online programs like South University online which can allow for two years of saving before two years of their dream school.
Equipped with patience and encouraging words, you can help your teen navigate the monumental decision of what college to attend. And hopefully, the long process will work to draw you closer to your children and establish good ground for them to rely on as they venture out into the world.
Jessica Socheski is a freelance writer who is passionate about finding ways for parents to establish great relationships with their kids. You can connect with her on Twitter.
Image from cetours.com
