E d u c a t i o n

How toHelp your teen

- Jade Robinson

Select aCollege

parentingteens.com

If you’ve been listening at parent-student orientation meetings at the beginning of each school year or if you read the materials attached to the forms you and your student !ll out each year planning their class schedule, you know what tremendous pressure your teens are under to plan their future as early as junior high. Teachers and counselors make no apologies for pushing students to select their elective classes based on what they want to do with their life (career-wise). Students as young as thirteen years old are given career aptitude tests to point them in the right direction. Talk about pressure! There’s nothing wrong with exposing students to a variety of career opportunities in the way of job shadowing, career fairs, guest speakers and so forth. But to put that kind of pressure on a child or to expect them to be mature enough at thirteen or !fteen to know what they want to do with the rest of their life is completely unfair and unrealistic. Think about it…you wouldn’t dream of letting your !fteen year old purchase a car on their own or handle the family’s !nances, but yet they’re supposed to be charting the course for their future?

Choosing a college isn’t the same as choosing a career. Choosing a college is about choosing a learning environment that will provide a variety of programs and an advisory sta! to help students recognize their strengths and passions. When it comes time to helping your teen select the college they will attend, there are a number of things to be taken into consideration. As you look through this list, take the time to jot down some notes; things you can discuss with your teen to help make the best decision for their education and future. NOTE: There is no ‘number 1’ decision to be made. What tops the list for one family may not be an issue for another.1. Academic programs of study. Chances are the primary reason your teen shows interest in a particular schools is because of the school’s program for the area of study they wish to major in. That’s understandable. But if your

parentingteens.com

pay back larger student loans than if they went to a less expensive school? Are they aware of the commitment they’re making? If so, let them go. 5. Is the school a good "t ? Some schools are tougher than others. While all colleges and universities encourage their students to apply themselves academically, some schools hold their students to higher standards than others. And along those same lines, is the school’s atmosphere one your teen will do well in? For instance: what is the process for selecting roommates? What’s the process of switching if you’re incompatible? Are all the dorms co-ed or are there still male and female only dorms? What are the rules for freshmen having vehicles? Can underclassmen live o"-campus (which can be less expensive)? Over and above all the ‘nuts and bolts’ of selecting a college is the emotional and mental preparedness you need to give your teen. They need to know you’re on their side and that it’s more than okay that they don’t have all the answers in regards to their future. For all the excitement and adventure they talk about, your teen is anxious and even a bit scared.

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teen is like so many others, your teen’s career choice is likely to change. For this reason, it is wise to encourage your teen to select a school with a fairly wide range of academic programs. This shouldn’t be di#cult. While some schools tend to specialize in one thing over another, most colleges and universities o"er programs in general studies, teaching certi!cation, science, math, business/accounting and computer sciences. 2. Cost whether you, as parents, are paying for your child’s college education or they are going to work and take student loans, cost should be considered. Other cost factors include in-state vs. out of state tuition, A+ scholarship programs, discounts o"ered to military families, minorities, or in-house tuition reduction programs for those who meet the quali!cations. Sports and academic scholarships also play a major role in some students’ decision. Being o"ered scholarship money for athletic ability or other accomplishments can be very persuasive. 3. Family tradition do you expect your teen to attend your alma mater? If so, ask yourself why? More importantly, ask your teen if that is where they wish to go.4. Where does your teen want to go to college? If your teen has their heart set on a particular school, you need to try to honor their wishes. If you intend to pay for their education and can’t a"ord the school of their choice, are they willing to work or take out loans for the di"erence? If so, let them go. If they are going to be responsible for the cost of their education, is their career choice one that will allow them to make enough money to