As parents, we always imagine the day our child will leave for college or leave our home (often with a lump in our throats!). We wonder if we have done everything we needed to prepare them, and if they are ready. For many parents of the high schoolers I did photos for this past year, the time is now…their child is getting ready to make that leap! Here are some tips and ideas if you’re a parent who is preparing a high school junior or senior to leave the nest:
Teach them time management skills: College life requires effective time management skills, so encouraging your high schooler to develop a schedule and prioritize their commitments will be incredibly helpful. They should know and understand how to balance studying, attending class, and maintaining a social life. Giving your child tasks to do (such as grocery shopping or planning a family meal or event) will help them hone these skills.
Financial literacy: Teach your high schooler the basics of personal finance. Make sure they understand budgeting, tracking expenses, and the importance of saving. Discuss credit cards, student loans, and the potential consequences of debt. Encourage them to explore scholarships and financial aid options to help reduce the financial burden, and look over a spreadsheet of expenses and budgets together. You can even show them your own budget to help them get real-world examples.
Learn and practice self advocacy: In college and the job world, your high schooler will need to advocate for themselves, whether to teachers or employers. Teach them to do so effectively, and how to ask for help when needed. Begin guiding them through calls with employers, teachers, and advisors (and yes, even making their own doctor appointments) to give them plenty of experience with professional communication.
Discuss personal responsibility: College life comes with increased personal freedom and responsibilities. Teach your high schooler about personal accountability, taking care of their belongings, and respecting others’ property. Discuss the importance of making responsible choices and consequences that may arise from poor decision-making. Give them chances to practice these skills by putting them in charge of car insurance or cell phone bills and learning the repercussions of safe driving and technology usage.
Health and wellness and mental health: Emphasize the importance of maintaining health through checkups, healthy eating, and exercise. Discuss what healthy and unhealthy mental health may look like, and be upfront about what they should do if they are dealing with depression or anxiety. Encourage them to seek out solutions like campus health services. It’s important to also have the harder conversations about drugs, alcohol, and personal safety with your child before they are living in the dorms or in an apartment.
Career exploration: Help your high schooler explore different career options and identify their interests and passions. Encourage internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities that align with their career goals. Discuss the importance of networking and building professional relationships early on. Find mentors or adults who are in the field they are interested in, and connect them with your child to build those connections and give them role models.
Remember, it’s important to have open and ongoing conversations with your high schooler about their expectations, concerns, and goals for college. Supporting them throughout this transition will help set them up for success in their new academic and personal journey!
