It can be a challenging time sending your child off to college, but there are ways you may support their higher education experience.
Packing your teenager off to college is an exciting new time in your life as a parent. It can be a challenging and overwhelming time, as you are sending your child away to a new place and making choices that will affect their future for years to come, but there are loads of ways that you can support them and give them a great start to their higher education experience. Here are the best tried-and-tested ways you can help your beloved child as they take this incredible step towards a bright future.Â
Check Your Child Is Happy To Go To College
Further education isn’t the best option for everyone, so check that your child is happy with the idea of going to college, and if not then explore the other options they may have. Work with their current school and their guidance counselor to get an overview of all the options that are available, then communicate with your child to find out which one they’d most like to take. Remember that whilst this is an important time in their lives, it won’t be the end of the world if they don’t go to college; they can always go later or earn qualifications in other ways.
Discuss What Course They Want To Take
One of the first steps your child needs to take before they decide on a college is to discover what they want to study. Discuss this with your child and their current school so that you have all the facts. When you know what they want to do, help them to explore all the options available. For example, if they want to do an MBA then help them to find all the information available and explore the options they have. You can find out more about MBAs here.
Take Them To Find The Perfect College For them
When looking for the college that will suit your child, it’s important that you take them to view as many establishments as possible so that they can experience first-hand what these schools are like. Before you arrive, prepare a list of questions that you’d like to ask and try to communicate them all with the education providers during your visit, and get all of the literature and brochures you can carry so that you have lots of information to go over once you get home. Talk to your teenager about what they want from their college and then try to find them the establishment that offers this so that they enjoy a great experience and properly prepare for the world of work.
Help With Their Application
Most kids struggle applying for college, particularly if they’ve never had to fill out an official application before. While their current school should be helping, try to assist as much as you can as well. After all, you have filled out many applications over the years, and will know how to word things to make them sound confident and engaging. When it comes to their interview, help them to prepare by practicing fake interviews beforehand. Be supportive throughout the entire process and remind them that every interview and application, even the unsuccessful ones, should be considered a learning exercise.
Find The Supplies They’ll Need To Take With Them
Once they’ve been accepting into college, the next step is to kit them out with everything they could possibly need. If they’re moving away then you’ll need to buy them all the supplies they could possibly need to survive on their own, as well as any books, stationary and equipment their course requires. Include your child in all of the decisions so that they leave for college happy with everything they’re taking with them and prepared for what lies ahead.
Take Them To College
With everything prepared, it’s time to take them to college! Pack up a U-Haul and drive them and all their things to their new home. Help them to unpack and get settled, but don’t hang around too long or they’ll get tired of having you there. Let them know that you’re there for them but give them the space they need to enjoy the experience of being away from home in a vibrant college.
Photo by Matt Ragland on Unsplash
Keep Supporting Them Even After They’ve Left
After your child has moved to college make sure that they still feel your love and support. Call them around once a week, so that you don’t interrupt their busy social lives but are still there for them whenever they want to chat with you. Another way to remind your child that you’re still there supporting them is to send them a personalized box of gifts and treats. You can send one as often as you want, allowing them to feel your support even though they’re far away.
We hope that these tips will help you to give your child the best possible start to their college experience!
