Heading to College? What Your Teen Should Know

Heading to college is an exciting and transformative time for high school graduates. Here are some important things to know and consider before making this transition:

Academic Preparation

1. Time Management: Does your child have the skills to balance classes, homework, and extracurricular activities? This will probably be the first time that they are not in school for about eight hours a day. If they have had success managing their time in high school, talk about how this might differ with their new college schedule.
2. Study Skills: Has your child developed effective study habits and techniques? For some students, college courses will be the first time they will be challenged in their thinking, and they might not be used to the workload. Their new courses might be more demanding and require more independent study.
3. Utilize Resources: Has your child taken advantage of learning labs and libraries in high school? There are many amazing resources for getting help with classes in college. Have your child look into academic resources available such as tutoring centers, libraries, and office hours. They can do this online during the summer, then familiarize themselves with the resources again once on campus.

Personal Responsibility

1. Self-Discipline: College requires a higher level of personal responsibility. They won’t have you to help in person, and they will need to manage their own schedule and priorities, perhaps for the first time.
2. Financial Management: Have the conversations now about budgeting, understanding financial aid, and managing expenses. Determine who is paying for what expenses (food within the meal plan and outside of the plan, clothing, entertainment, travel-related expenses, room decor, school supplies, technology, etc.). Also, consider if your child should apply for a credit card.
3. Health and Wellness: Your child will need to take care of their physical and mental health. They should know where to find campus health services. You might also check to see if they can waive the university health insurance if they are still covered under your policy.

Social Life and Campus Life

1. Building Relationships: Will your child be open to meeting new people and making friends? Often colleges have a lot of fun activities for move-in week. Encourage your child to look into clubs and organizations to help build their social network. They should be prepared to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and learn from different perspectives.
2. Roommate Dynamics: Whether your child knows their roommate or not, it will be important to communicate clearly, set boundaries and address issues. Talk to your child about issues that you had when you went to college, or things that might arise for your child in particular.
3. Campus Safety: Encourage your child to make themselves aware of campus safety resources and protocols. For example, most campuses have free security escorts to make sure students safely arrive at their residence halls after hours.

Practical Skills

1. Cooking and Nutrition: Does your child know how to make any recipes? Even if it’s just spaghetti or scrambled eggs, learning basic cooking skills can be really helpful, and knowing how to maintain a balanced diet will help them in the long run.
2. Laundry: Does your child know how to do their own laundry? If not, they should start now. This includes using washing machines and dryers, sorting clothes, folding them, and even how to iron (for job interviews or Greek formals).

Career and Future Planning

1. Career Services: Have a conversation with your child on how to take advantage of career counseling and job placement services offered by the college. This can start as soon as they arrive on campus.
2. Internships and Networking: Depending on your child’s major, they might want to start thinking about internships and networking opportunities early. There will be events on campus often to support these endeavors.

Legal and Technology

1. Understanding Policies: Have your child familiarize themselves with the college’s academic and conduct policies. These are often overlooked.
2. Forms: Consider the forms your child might need for college. These include medical power of attorney and FERPA waiver.
3. Tech Savvy: Is your child comfortable with using different kinds of computers, software, and online platforms for coursework and communication? If not, there will be campus resources to help, which usually include an IT support center.

Emotional Preparedness

1. Handling Stress: Talk to your child about developing strategies for coping with stress and seek help if needed. Establish a plan for weekly check-ins with you to talk about how the workload and other aspects of college life are going.
2. Independence: Your child is heading to a new environment on their own, and it might be scary for both of you, but it’s the right time for them to embrace the independence and responsibility that come with college life.

Entering college is a big step, and being prepared can help make the transition smoother and more enjoyable. Diane helps high schoolers prepare for college. Reach out if you’d like to set up a free consultation!