As a senior in high school, your child has many exciting opportunities and possibilities coming their way. There is a lot to think about regarding classes and careers when going to college. Along with the traditional college aspect, your child will be making memories and having fun while creating plans for the future.
To make your senior feel as prepared as possible, here are the top seven things for you to teach your senior to prep for college.
1. Apply to Colleges Early
Filling out applications can be stressful, especially when applying to multiple places. They require lots of research on top of the actual application. About 450 colleges offer early admission plans for students, so encourage them to start their applications early.
Writing college essays can be time-consuming since they will need to brainstorm topics and write drafts that need to be reviewed. Starting early allows enough time for edits without the stress of time limits. Don’t forget to encourage them to get letters of recommendation as early as possible since teachers can get overwhelmed by the number of requests they get.
2. Spend Time with Loved Ones
Whether your child is unsure if they want to go to college or not, being a senior is a huge transition. It is essential to spend time with friends, family, and pets. Next year will have changes where the time with them is limited.
Remind them it is OK to rely on loved ones to help navigate this time. As a parent, you will always have your child’s best interest in mind and will offer the best advice you can give. Encourage them to spend as much quality time with loved ones to strengthen relationships and share as many memories as possible before a change.
3. Explore Interesting Classes
Your child may have more range to take fun classes as a senior. These are great since it allows exploring. It can even spark something that helps them decide what major they want to be in or add a minor for college.
If no classes spark interest, try taking things with a favorite teacher. Your child will spend more time with them or learn new things while taking these classes.
4. Acquire Life Skills
Throughout high school, you take care of many things for your child. When you send them off to the dorms, they can lack the life skills that they need to live on their own. Teach them the basics of cooking and cleaning to ensure their college experience goes smoothly. Many students have trouble figuring out laundry since it is something they would have done by their parents.
Although most dorms only have a microwave for cooking, teaching how to use it properly is still important. Remind them to take care of the microwave and mini fridge by keeping them clean or clearing any old food. These things may seem like common sense, but learning skills will be helpful for someone new to living independently.
5. Balance Social Life and Academics
“Senioritis” is a very real thing. It is not bad for your child to enjoy spending time with friends or meeting new people, but staying on top of classes is still essential. It is best to start learning this now since one of the most common struggles for first-year college students is balancing social life and academics.
An important tip to remind high schoolers is not to procrastinate and stay on top of their academics. Senior year is meant to be fun, but it is still a transition point. It is important to stay motivated for the next step coming in life. Learning a balance between the two will ensure success in and outside of high school.
6. Rejection Isn’t the End of the World
No one likes rejection. Receiving a college rejection letter can be discouraging, but it is important to remind them that colleges can be highly selective. Not getting accepted doesn’t always mean that they aren’t qualified. It means there was a large application pool.
Remind your child that many pressures are put on them during this time. Most importantly, they get through high school and continue applying for colleges. The process is hard work and the rejection letter may be a blessing in disguise in the long run. Remind them to be gentle with themselves during this time.
7. Step Out of Comfort Zones
Encourage your child to try new things. You don’t want to see your child graduate with any regrets. It can be anything between making a new friend or joining a club. No matter what it is, take a moment to consider if not going for it would be something they regret. High school is the best time to try new things, so push them out of their comfort zone.
The Bottom Line
The most important thing to remember to preach to your senior is to work hard and have fun. Let them take time to reflect and plan for possibilities in the future while enjoying the last moments of high school.
p.s. Related posts:
4 Tips to Get into Your Dream College
Are Colleges Need Blind? Yes and NO!
How to Prepare for the College Admissions Interview
Applying to College: How To Select Colleges
Visiting Columbia University and Tips for Applying to College
How To: Apply Early Decision To Get Into College
How to Apply to College as a Home-Schooled Student
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