For most high school seniors, taking the next step down the path to success will involve earning an undergraduate degree. Unlike high school, where admission is guaranteed based on residence, aspiring college students must jump through a series of hoops and clear various hurdles before gaining admission to their college of their choice. Unfortunately for those recent high school graduates, college application season can stir anxiety and keep even the most qualified students on the edge of their seats.
One of the most significant challenges high school seniors face is adhering to application deadlines while juggling their everyday responsibilities. While tumbling through the cycle of filling out forms, writing personal statements, and submitting applications, parents should expect their child’s stress levels to shoot through the roof. As the deadlines approach, feelings of anxiety are bound to increase in intensity and frequency.
Another primary source of stress for soon-to-be high school graduates is learning how to cope with the possibility of not getting into their first choice of college. Many kids experience unbearable pressure to get into particular schools based on the expectations of peers and parents. The pressure multiples when kids are applying to private schools where the competition for acceptance is fierce.
With extracurricular activities to attend, homework to complete, and study sessions to conduct, kids need help through the process of getting into college. While guidance counselors may offer some insight, parents need to engage in the process. With a sturdy support system, young adults feel less overwhelmed when they know their parents have their backs.
While contemplating a college education, some students may underestimate their skillsets or remain blissfully unaware of how to get into college. For you parents out there, here are a few tips on how to help your child through this process:
- Help them monitor critical testing and application deadlines.
- Recommend that they check their emails regularly and reply to requests for more information.
- Participate in counseling sessions with college guidance counselors
- Help your child prepare an essay when necessary.
- Encourage the child to be calculated about their life decisions.
Preparing your child for college
A parent’s job is seemingly never done, even as your baby bird prepares to fly from the nest. While the application process is ongoing and requires close attention to detail, parents should also be mentally and emotionally preparing their child for college life. With that in mind, here are four ways you can help get your child ready for the next chapter of their lives.
Teach your child to manage their time
As your child enters their last year of high school, you’ll need to encourage your soon-to-be high school graduate to maintain an increased sense of self-sufficiency. In the teenage years, kids rely heavily on their parents to manage their lives.
For example, young adults under 18 typically depend on their parents or guardians to handle appointment scheduling matters and offer reminders about incoming deadlines, etc. Your child’s senior year is an excellent time to let them start managing their own day-to-day lives. Once high school students step into the driver’s seat of their own life, they can begin to build the confidence necessary for academic success.
Teach children the power of seeking advice
Most higher ed institutions offer ample career coaching and mental health resources. Instill in your child that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Otherwise, they may flounder in the early days of college life.
Teach your child to prioritize safety
It would be a mistake to let your child believe that a college campus is insulated from the evils of the world. That said, encourage your child to be aware of their surroundings at all times when walking around campus, especially after dark. Reiterating the importance of safety is particularly important if your child is taking a car to school.
Teach your child how to be financially responsible
When kids head off to college, they usually do so with a finite budget. With limited financial resources, struggling college students can’t afford to overspend. During their senior year, you should set your child up with a bank account, deposit enough money for their daily needs, and teach them how to manage their money before college.
Final thoughts
Equipping your aspiring college students with these necessary life skills is as critical as paying their tuition. Without the required emotional stamina, your student may be at risk of dropping out or flunking their courses.
