As parents, preparing your child for college is as difficult as letting them go off to college! It takes so much preparation and support to select a school, think about majors, careers, find scholarships and save money for their college expenses.
The preparation and research that is needed today is overwhelming! We hope that this section of our website helps you find answers and provide tools and resources to make an easier transition into college.
In a recent book by Marjorie Nieuwenhuis she talks about the role of the parent related to the college bound student. She suggests that you as the parent do the following:
- Offer Guidance: Take a moment to think about the role you’ll need to play. This would include listening, being available, providing insight from your own college experiences, offering support and guidance, and giving advice as your child grows and becomes a young adult.
- Be Realistic: Research and gather information about attending local colleges. Visit schools and plan a family vacation at the same time.
- Be a source of comfort: Applying for college can be an extremely emotional time for your student. He or she may experience fluctuating periods of joy and sadness that relates directly to the process of applying for college.
Your student may experience feelings of great accomplishment during the application process. He or she may feel a sense of satisfaction because everything is going smoothly. However it is possible that there will be times when it seems as if nothing is going right and your student may begin to take what is happening to them personally.
As the parent it is suggested that you be of comfort to your student by keeping them focused on their goals and assuring them that the application process is not personal.
Take an active role and ask your child if you can be involved in organizing and assisting them with the application process. Completing the various college applications can be cumbersome and tedious however you as the parent can provide the organizational structure needed to make the process seem effortless.
- Remember, your child is now entering adulthood and this is the beginning stage of entering that period. Let your child learn and grow from this experience.
Source: A Parents Guide to College Admissions by Marjorie Nieuwenhuis and Ben Kaplan. 1997 |