Is Your Child College-Ready?

<p>Around the world, the prospect of going away to college is one of the most exciting times in a young adult's life. For most, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Preparations for college typically start to gain more attention in a child’s junior year, with things like Grade Point Average(GPA), SAT scores, scholarship opportunities and letters to colleges taking priority.</p><p>This can be a very stressful time to be a student or a parent, with everything happening so quickly and not understanding what exactly comes next. This brings up the question: Is your child ready for college? In this post we cover a few tips to help ensure your child is college-ready, before it’s too late.</p><h1>First Things First - Academic Records</h1><p>Focusing on your child’s grades from the start is one of the most crucial steps to them being accepted into their program of choice. Many colleges have strict GPA requirements that govern the admission of new students, with the best schools demanding the highest average scores. They want to be sure they’re getting the best students, as much as we want our children to get the best education.</p><p>To make sure your child has the appropriate grades and skills required to succeed in whatever college they enroll in, you can get them help in the form of tutors, or meet with their guidance counselor to get them on the right track.</p><p>Students who get consistently top marks in core high school classes are often among the first accepted. The key is to start early. If you wait until junior year to focus on grades, there may not be enough time to get them where they need to be.</p><h1>Open Communication is Key</h1><p>Parents should know that not everyone is college-ready right after high school, and that’s ok. Some students may opt to take a year or two off before taking on the responsibility of attending college.</p><p>Open communication about college plans is a good thing, often overlooked. Remember, it’s ok to ask your child about their life goals. What do they wish to become? Where do they want to live? Some kids are prepared to turn their dreams into realities. Others need to focus their attention on their responsibilities. Before deciding if college is in your child’s future, speak with them. No matter the outcome, work with them to create a plan for their life after high school.</p><h1>Push Responsibility Early&nbsp;</h1><p>Aside from scholarships and grants, it’s increasingly common for high school seniors to pay for college using student loans, summer jobs or even money borrowed from their parents. This is where time management skills will be critical, especially if your young adult is still working while attending college classes. Introduce them to a daily planner or an online calendar for allocating time to studies, sports and social activities - anything that can help them organize their day.</p><p>Ensure your child understands how to communicate with their professors, remind them that when they’re away at college there will be no one there to take care of this for them. This communication plays a crucial role in molding your child’s future by teaching them practical approaches.</p><h1>Teach Them How to Manage Their Money</h1><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/v5BDDu8Uqp_BjWlimzNRkdFrmk-7RIkF-C_RSz_Ztcht0TuS7FIyj9cm9xhhzLE_fgd0zsYWzap3LM0xiowGT_-lNl-GwV0f4Te8XAtxN7JSpKednY3d28aOwC_cKg"></figure><p>Parents ideally want their high schoolers to be money smart by the time they start college. When they go away they’ll need to be able to manage a limited budget to ensure they have all the necessities, including food. Before they leave the nest, it’s a good idea to teach your child money management skills. They need to understand that any money you give them, along with anything they earn needs to last between checks and beyond.</p><p>Teach them to keep funds in reserve for emergencies such as car repairs, medicines or sports uniforms. Help them plan accordingly. Start by making a monthly income and expense plan covering transportation, snacks and meals plus entertainment. You can have them start tracking their allowance from an early age so they see where their money goes. Budgeting and creating a money plan is one of the most important skills a new student should have.</p><h1>Staying Healthy</h1><p>Going away to college can lead to some questionable decisions, like foregoing medicine when sick or not getting enough sleep. It’s important our children understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle on their own.</p><p>If they get sick, it’s good to understand what over-the-counter medicines are available and what they do. Make sure they know when to self-treat and when it’s time to make an appointment to see a doctor. Be sure to explain the benefits of getting enough sleep, and maintaining a proper diet and exercising as ways to stay healthy. These practices can be explored when they are still very young. Then, you can establish similar routines during high school so college becomes an extension of what they are already doing, not a radical change.</p><h1>Final Thoughts</h1><p>There are many ways to determine if a child is ready for college. Ultimately, they need to know that while they’re away they may have to take care of themselves. Parents will want to know their children will be OK. To make sure they’re prepared for this drastic change in their lives, start early. Teach them crucial life skills that they can use to tackle any situation by giving practical approaches before they leave home, and from an early age. The more time and attention you spend on preparing your child for life away from home—whether at college or on a full-time job—the greater their chances of succeeding when they leave the nest. After all this, they might be ready for college. Are you?</p><p>REFERENCE LINKS:</p><ul><li>https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-your-high-school-senior-is-ready-for-college-4171729</li><li>https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/special-matters/201901/how-get-your-high-school-senior-ready-college</li></ul>

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Is Your Child College-Ready?