What lurks in the dark—the unknown? We have so many things to be afraid of these days. Parents live with fear every day. Who knew clowns would be at the top of the list? Can you believe the violence these once happy characters are responsible for? I long for the days of Ronald McDonald.
One thing you do not have to fear is college prep. As with any goal, it’s important to remember the only way to remove the fear and anxiety is to be prepared and organized, know the facts, and have the conversations. Once you do these things, you can enjoy the experience.
Be prepared
Stay organized and prepare for senior year. College prep begins early in high school and culminates with senior year college applications. Create a college landing zone early, set up files (either in a file cabinet or on a zip drive), and start collecting information on test prep dates, AP test dates, volunteer opportunities and any other aspects of college prep.
Know the facts
Get expert advice when you need it. Parents can take advantage of all the social media outlets to educate themselves about college prep. Experts abound on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Once you connect, sign up for their mailing lists and follow their blogs. If you have a question, just ask. Most will be willing to help. Need to know where to find them? Check out these lists from my blog:
Have the conversations
Don’t let fear of the unknown cause you added stress during the process. Have conversations about money before they leave for college. Once your student knows what you can afford to pay and what you expect him to pay, the college search becomes more focused. This alleviates any surprises when the offers of admission arrive and it’s too expensive to attend. Discuss budgeting as well.
Don’t forget the conversations about risky behavior. This will be the first time your student is living on their own and there will be many temptations to participate in this behavior. Explain the consequences for each and devise a plan to avoid these dangers.
Enjoy the experience
Lurking in the shadows is the inevitable moment of saying goodbye. Focus on the positive and embrace each and every experience. This is a monumental moment in your child’s life (and yours). It’s the biggest “treat” of all. Don’t let fear and anxiety about the future rob you of the joy of the journey.
For many parents, college prep is scary. They wonder if their student will make the right decisions, be ready for this future step, and how they, as parents, will respond to all these emotions. But don’t be afraid. Get help, talk to other parents, and ask questions. We’re here to help!