Life keeps going, and you may remember your kids' first day at kindergarten, but it is time for them to go to college. It means a new level, new routine, and skills to build. Parents and kids must accept new things and say goodbye to outdated traditions. Both you and your children might have waited for that moment for ages. Yet, it is expected to feel insecure and worry when preparing to move to a new place. Thus, we bring insights and advice to prepare for college life. Are you ready? Keep reading to get support!
What Do Parents Care About College?
As kids, we watched the series about adorable times, parents and colleges, a great time when characters grow old, become professionals, and find the places they belong. Parents experience it, too. To them, it is the part of raising kids. They think about their children's inclinations and talents and worry about the upcoming path to get the result. It is about closeness, responsibility, and safety.
Be Ready For Change
People react to changes differently; it is not a secret. Some accept them fast, some may not like some points, but still make peace for them, filled with thrill and hope. However, some people resist the unpleasant changes. And the child moving away is a huge step, for sure. Do not punish yourself for the hard feelings; perceive them and realize what you want to do to be your closest friend. It is the time to ask questions and what parents should know about college life.
Explore Colleges Together
Is your child not sure about the institution to apply for? Are you insecure because you have no idea what the new college looks like? Or what kind of people are there? Those questions can put you in an uncomfortable position full of feelings. The answer is simple: explore one college, one or many. You may travel there, check reviews, and ask friends' opinions. Be there for your kid; it gives them support and approval.
Make A Budget Before You Take A Loan
It is a general practice for the parents of kids to start collecting money for college and university when children are small. So, when preparing for the new important step, calculate your budget to know what you can afford. Evaluate tuition costs, count the additional expenses, and consider transportation. Thus, check interest rates and conditions when you come to student loans. It will be helpful to consider whether the kids can take part-time jobs to get both money and experience, which will help them stand on two feet.
Know That Financial Aid Is Crucial
There are different types of available financial aid. The list is long and includes a lot of aspects of the law. If you are unsure if you can get any, please consult your legal representatives. It will be a huge help to get your charges paid. Besides, it will influence your loan amount. So, you should devote some time to this investigation.
Federal Student Aid
Different federal student aid programs depend on the financial needs of students’ families. Such expenses may encompass tuition fees, accommodation and meals, textbooks, and additional academic costs. They do not require repayment, so the only task is to learn here. There are state grants or those given by institutions based on the need. The information is publicly available, and you can find it and prepare to apply for them. Take care to prepare documents and meet deadlines.
Scholarships
Scholarship is another type of aid that should be paid off. There are different grounds for obtaining scholarships, like academic and sports accomplishments. Besides, they can also be need-based for families that require financial help. They can come from various sources, including educational institutions, private organizations, and government agencies. Ways to apply for it may also differ, and most often require motivation letters or essays and recommendations from teachers or the principal.
Give Your Child The Right To Choose
Even though you are an adult with more experience and practical thinking, it is your kid's call to choose the place to study. It is about kids’ priorities, inclinations, and talents. Be there without pressure and judgment. Your voice is essential, so use it wisely, give your advice, think about bottlenecks your kids are unaware of, and allow them to make mistakes. It is the inevitable part of growing up and making choices.
Establish Autonomy
What does it mean? Parents grow kids and teach them to find out they can handle those things without help. It starts with doing lessons and routine tasks and has no limits on decision-making. To succeed with this task, kids must have the room to be themselves and make mistakes. Thus, it is much easier with supportive college parents. It is also about skills to go through hard times and hard feelings. It is the path, and your kids can learn to do it.
Еxpectations May Differ From Reality
Expectations are what our brain pictures to us to calm down or find potential things to fix. They are the source of worries when reality differs, though. For example, you and your kids may think that learning will be a piece of cake because you got high marks at school. Thus, if the amount of books to read exceeds the ability of your students to read, do not push yourself. Instead of worrying about not working when learning at college, find a way to simplify studying and adapt.
Remember The Boundaries
It may be the most challenging part if you, as parents, wish your kids well. It is true that before your children are adults, you have complete responsibility for them. Still, you should find ways not to violate your kids’ privacy. You should be an active listener, trust your kids to know what they genuinely need and assist with that.
Seek Help On Merit
Consider all the options for merit scholarships. This type of help is prestigious among students who demonstrate excellence in sports, learning, or playing in school theatre. Pro: there is no need to pay it back, as it goes to the best representatives. Cons: participation in a highly competitive contest for the place. Still, if your kid is hyper-talented or chasing their dreams, give them a hand. Be supportive, and remind them you take their side no matter what.
Visit Campuses In Person
Parents and colleges have the same goal. Colleges arrange events for parents and new students. Thus, they are open to consulting on any topic, so why not visit them and ask for the excursion in person? Ask about the conditions they offer, and check on the rules. Go beyond and think about what else you could do there. For example, if kids used to go for a walk after lessons, they might want to do something similar here. Check the itinerary to the closest park in the new location.
Manage Your Stress
The calmness and health of parents are the bricks in the happy lives of children. It is true, even if the latter has not experienced it yet or can hardly admit that you worry more than you can handle. It is a win-win when you find a source of joy within the changing and stressful environment. Make college applications parental exacerbations, but relax immediately: devote time to yourself or a hobby, enjoy loneliness or friends’ company.
Ensure That Students Meet Deadlines
It is a tricky task, as most often teenagers have a strong determination not to give their parents in. The good news is that learning is your kid’s responsibility. You can have open conversations to ensure that the tasks are doable and deadlines are reasonable. The bad news is that there is no correct answer when things go wrong. You can motivate and insist on your vision, but pay attention to what happens in a kid’s life.
Your Student Is Not Alone
Find the necessary contacts your kid might use. The list may start with a reliable person, like a teacher or psychologist, and include doctors, police, etc., to feel secure, especially when kids go to a new distant city. Besides, colleges meet this need and offer contacts and valuable website resources. You may visit the principal to get this information from the first mouth. Your student will be surrounded by people who can assist.
Meaningful Learning Takes Place Both In And Out Of The Classroom
Your college education isn't confined to the four walls of a classroom. At the school, you get theoretical knowledge, structured learning, and expert guidance from professors. Yet, outside the school, you learn life skills that are just as crucial. Extracurricular activities, internships, and social interactions teach teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Work-study programs or part-time jobs can offer a lesson in financial responsibility and work ethic.
If There Is A Refusal, Deal With It
If you send many application letters, some answers will bring you invitations. Still, some may contain refusals. It is not the most pleasant thing to get, so understand why and keep navigating to the college of your dreams. Instead of being upset, consider the pros and cons of the college that accepts your children. Ensure you find the best college your kid will be happy about!
Make The Final Choice
You should be sure of your final choice. You should compare all the choices, pros and cons, available federal aid to pick the best option. Besides, your kids should prioritize their favorite fields of study and what colleges give to them. After you check on the location, campus, and conditions, you can decide.
How Single Parents Can Prepare Their Child For College?
Being a single mom is hard, but it's also an opportunity to instill valuable life skills in your children.
In the United States alone, over 14 million children live in households with only their mothers, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by single moms. They can teach children to take care of themselves, manage their time to complete all the tasks, and follow up on schedule. It will be great if your kids are attentive and responsible. Together with them, you can explore the campus and the new city. You can talk with them about setting priorities and goals in life. You should speak to each other to foster bonds between each other and express support.
Manage Both Time And Emotions In The College
Successfully managing time and emotions when a kid is going to college is crucial for overall well-being and academic success. Create a balanced schedule to allocate time for classes, study sessions, and self-care. Utilize planners or apps to stay organized. To manage emotions, exercise regularly, seek peer or professional support, and practice stress-relieving techniques like mindfulness.
Talk About Safety
Psychologists recommend bringing this topic into the conversation since kids understand words. As in the early days, they should learn who close people are worth trusting and who strangers are. When you grow up, the basics stay the same. Young adults must know about their psychological, physical, and sexual safety. The trust and closeness between you and your kids is significant, so develop it with good boundaries and support.
Establish Guidelines For Communication
When college students move to another city, their routines will change. They will meet new duties, friends, and places to live. They will feel more freedom as parents of students are not around. If you are open to conversations, put no pressure, and trust your kid, agreeing on new communication methods will be easier. You may reveal that it is vital to hear from kids once per day (or any of your schedule) or pick the time to visit each other.
Trust Your Child
That is the cornerstone of any relationship. There is no unique tool that helps every parent and kid. Trust grows where there is room to be yourself, be vulnerable, speak about emotions, and get support. Be honest and encourage kids to speak for themselves, even if learning could improve, even if they pick to go out with friends. Remind about duties, but make them less important. Build a bond with your kid and try to listen to them, putting your fears away.
What Are Some Questions To Ask Your Single Parents About College?
Children preparing for college might have common questions about college and should look for information. They can ask about their single-parent experience and the pros and cons of their college time. They could clarify all the unknown aspects regarding communication with lecturers, students’ loans, and routine tasks to make themselves comfortable. They can ask about hacks to get on time with all the duties. Advice for a son going to college will be helpful; just remember about boundaries.
How Do I Know The College My Child Attends Is A Good Fit For Them?
As a parent, you can check if that college makes your kid closer to their dream, helps them develop their unique skills, and makes them feel better. Besides, you can ask your kids about happiness there. Some issues are about discipline, responsibility, and having quality rest, but it is much more complicated if the environment is toxic. Check if things go that way and if you should help somehow.
What If They Have Roommate Problems?
If your kid and roommate have any troubles, and you want to know about them, ask your kid. Try to find out what kind of issues there are. They should respect each other’s privacy and choices when living together, not become friends. If it is about routine, think of what you can do or contribute to simplify their coexistence. Changing the room is always possible if things go out of control and hurt your kid.
What Should I Do If My Child Is Having Difficulty Learning?
It would help if you talked with your kid about the reasons. Are there any distracting factors or troubles in private life that cause bad grades? Are there difficulties with time management or adaptation to the new place? Then, you can implement some management techniques. Or is the curriculum more challenging than expected? Then, you can find a tutor or devote more time to this subject. It should be a time for support.
College Planning For Parents: When To Start Helping Your Child Prepare
This process is about your kids learning and becoming a personality. From the early days, parents should help them reveal their talents and go through school tests. The closer to the college application process, the more essential the high marks are. Let’s check how the path is changing along the school days below:
9th Grade
In the early high school, which begins in the 9th grade, you should start thinking about courses to pick. Research different options and think about how to fulfill college requirements. Some kids may want to visit campuses to learn how to live in the college. You should cultivate self-sufficiency so your kids can take care of themselves: cook meals, clean clothes, and manage time.
10th Grade
In the 10th grade, it is an excellent time to lay the groundwork for the future. Children should learn, pass exams, and get the higher marks, the better. Some kids take PSAT or practice ACTs to know their current state of strengths and weaknesses. If necessary, you can find tutors. Besides, if your child goes for a merit scholarship, devote time to it.
11th Grade
In junior year, kids should keep training for SAT and/or ACT testing. Look for financial aid and research options, and gather all the required financial documents. Encourage your kid to make a realistic list of colleges to apply to. Also, remember letters of recommendation from current teachers to provide.
12th Grade
Finally, it is the senior year. Check the application requirements and process to meet all the deadlines. Moreover, kids must write application essays, complete FAFSA and other forms, and send the applications. The more you send, the more replies you can get. Then, pick the best college offers for teens and financial aid packages. Besides, it is the time to acknowledge the moving to a new place and find ways to make this process easier.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, consider the power of preparation as you and your child approach this exciting new college chapter. Dive into research to find the right schools, understand application requirements, and explore options for financial aid. This prep work is invaluable and will make the entire process less stressful. Most importantly, involve your child in every decision. Their enthusiasm for the selected college will enrich their academic journey and provide them with a fulfilling personal experience. You're paving the way for an incredible college adventure with a proper college planning guide for parents and students and a positive approach. We wish you good luck!
FAQs
What Every College Student Should Know?
Every college student should have a schedule, know the curriculum, and learn the program step by step. Children should know everything regarding their learning process and duties. Besides, they should socialize and establish new relationships with new people: lecturers and other students. Knowing the city, primary routes and valuable contacts would be a huge plus.
What Is The Most Important Thing For A College Student?
Everyone sets their priorities; they depend on family rules, the opinions of essential student people, and even dreams. For some children, marks matter the most, while others look for independence and true talent. Thus, the things that make kids closer to the goal are the most important: discipline and decision-making skills.
What The First Thing You Do When You Get To College?
You should visit any welcome events to learn more about the university, its services, and resources. Then, students should arrange rooms for living or off-campus housing. It is worth getting the schedule of classes and their location. The pleasant part is introducing yourself to roommates and classmates to build your social network.
What Is The Most Important Thing For College?
There are many vivid things when life is changing. Students need to know new routines, get new schedules, and prioritize learning. Besides, along with family, students should manage finances. Create a budget accounting for tuition, room and board, books, and other living expenses, and explore scholarship or work-study options.
How Much Does A College Education Cost?
The cost of a college education can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of institution, the country, and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. You should check every option you are interested in, consider federal aid, and thus find out how to save funds.
