When your children are small, it can seem like their college choices are a lifetime away. But, as they grow older and that decision gets closer, you might want to support them through the process. At the same time, you may find that you really want to ensure that they are fully prepared for the experience. In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at how you can do that.
1. Know What They Want to Do
First of all, it’s always going to be important for them to know what it is that they want to do. This isn’t always easy for kids, as it can feel like quite a big decision to make early on. But some kids will be set on what they do. If your children aren’t, it’s a good idea to explore different options or consider going with a very strong general option that will equip them for a range of different career choices.
2. Consider Different Schools
When they’re clear on what they’d like to do in the future, it’s important for them to start considering different colleges. Even if they have always had one set college in mind, or your family has an alma mater, it’s important for them to compare colleges before making a decision. It’s also important to have a backup option, just in case. That way, there is a fallback should they not get their first choice for any reason.
3. Go on Visits
As a part of the decision process, you will want to ensure that your children actually visit their chosen colleges. It’s one thing to have an idea of your ideal college in your mind, but it can often be different in reality. So, scheduling a college visit is so important here. That way, they can have a good look around and make sure they like it. Plus, it will help them to feel prepared too.
4. Discuss Major Options
Another thing that they need to think about is what they want to major in. Of course, if they do already know what they want to do, they may already have their major picked out. But if they don’t, it’s good for them to explore different course catalogs to make sure that the schools they’re looking at offer a strong choice of what they are interested in.
5. Look into Tutors
In some circumstances, you may find that you want to consider getting a tutor for them. It might be that they want extra help in set subjects, just to be sure. Or, it could be that you want to hire a college admissions tutor to help them to get into the school they love. It’s all about considering different options and ensuring that they are equipped to get into the school of their dreams.
6. Discuss Financing Options
One of the big topics that you’ll need to discuss as a family is how their college education will be financed. This may be something that you’ve had on your mind for years, and you may have already gotten the savings together for it. However, if you haven’t, it’s important to explore options. Looking at the best private student loans is a great place to start. You may also want to contribute, and they may be thinking about getting a part-time job too. There are always options for you all to consider.
7. Focus on the Application
If there’s one thing that they need to do in particular, it’s to ensure that they focus entirely on their applications and interviews. Rather than getting too overwhelmed about some of the more logistical sides of things, they need to ensure that they actually get into their college of choice! Nailing their college admissions essay is a huge part of this. But they also need to make sure that they are prepared for the interview process too, so bear that in mind.
8. Purchase What They Need
You will also need to make sure that you’re able to then go out and get everything they need. This can seem like quite an overwhelming task, so you’re going to want to make sure that you get started early. If you’re not sure what they need, look for a good college checklist that details everything you’ll need to get. When you make sure that they have everything they need, you’ll feel a lot better about them being prepared and ready to go.
9. Take the Trip With Them
When the time comes for them to actually head off to college, make sure that you take the trip with them. It’s something that you may have thought about for a long time, and as intimidating as it may seem, it can be a nice moment for you both. After all, it’s likely that they have chosen a college that’s quite far away, so you will want to make sure they arrive safely and can find their feet.
10. Help Them Settle In
At the same time, you also need to make sure that you’re there to help them settle in. Of course, they are going to have a wealth of different introductions during their orientation, but their first night might be intimidating for them. Helping them to unpack and find their way around can be a nice bonding moment for you all. Then, you can head back home knowing they are okay.
Sending Your Child Off to College
As much as we all know that this day will come at some point, it’s not always that easy to accept. Even as you’re going through the planning and preparing process, actually having to say goodbye to your child as they go off to college is a whole other ball game. It can be such an exciting, scary, and emotional time for you both. But the key is to embrace all the emotions that come up. Ultimately, this is the goal you’ve always been working toward. So, when the day comes, do your best to enjoy it. Good luck!
