It’s May. It’s busy! Parents are juggling end of the year events like games, banquets, graduation parties, moves, celebrations, and trips. So I’ll keep this short and sweet. Here are some ways you can support your child while they’re in high school, especially when it comes to preparing for college:
1. Foster independence and life skills: College life requires students to be independent and responsible. Help your child develop essential life skills, such as managing time, budgeting, cooking, and even doing laundry. Encourage them to take on responsibilities at home and in their community to build self-reliance and leadership qualities.
2. Offer emotional support: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is why I wanted to emphasize this type of support. Talking about college choices can be hard. Talking about leaving home and all of the stress that comes with growing up and moving out can be even harder. Be ready to listen to their concerns and anxieties. Sometimes they just need a listening ear, rather than someone who has all the answers. Try to talk less and listen more, and ask follow up questions.
3. Financial planning: College can be expensive, so it’s essential to discuss financial planning early on. Having a conversation early about your budget will set the stage for good decision making later on. Things you and your child can do together include researching schools and scholarships, making a spreadsheet of costs of attendance at schools, and using schools’ net price calculators.
4. Encourage smart academic choices. Emphasize the importance of taking courses in high school that are at the appropriate level and are as rigorous as your child can handle. However, I also encourage you to keep checking in with your child, especially during the first few weeks of a class, to see how things are going. Being academically challenged is a good thing, being overwhelmingly stressed out is a different situation. Loop in teachers and guidance counselors as needed.
5. Respect their choices: Respect their choices and aspirations, even if they differ from what you may have envisioned. This pertains to class choices, friendships, job choices, what major they plan to study, and where to go to college. Help them evaluate their options objectively, but ultimately allow them to make their own decisions.
Your high schooler might not tell you this, but they truly appreciate and value your wisdom and support. Take time this summer to connect with and encourage your child, even if it’s just a few minutes in the car or at the dinner table.
I help families navigate each of these pieces of the process (and more). Feel free to sign up for a chat to see if we might be able to work together!
