If you are a parent then your child may have come to you regarding attending college or university. If they are at the age where they need to choose what to do, it can be tricky knowing which path they want to go down. Some children might choose to skip college altogether and just head out into the big wide world. However, if your child wants to do something that requires college then they need to get this right from the start.
Check out the article below to find out more about what needs to be done before your child can successfully attend college.
Work Out Budget
One of the first things you guys need to do when college is mentioned is work out how much it is going to cost, either you or your teen. If you don’t have a college fund set up for your child then there are other options available. Check out the best student loans available, they can cover the full amount of fees if needed.
Figuring out how much you have available for college can be stressful. It is sometimes best to save up over time, potentially adding to a college fund each month. Check which college savings plans are available to you in your country and state.
Ask What They Want To Study
Don’t be afraid to speak with your child about what they want to study, the answer might surprise you. If you already know what route they want to go down then you might want to do your own research on the best colleges to attend. Your child might need some advice and guidance on the best route to follow, especially if they aren’t too sure.
It might be incredibly helpful for your child to speak to a careers advisor, they will know exactly what to do and what advice to give. Careers advisors can usually be found in schools, however, they can also book private sessions.
Research Different Colleges
So now your child knows what they want to study, it is time to research different colleges. There might be loads around offering the type of course they need to succeed. It is a case of finding the best one for their needs. If a college is far away but offers one of the best results then don’t rule this out, especially if your child doesn’t feel comfortable living away from home. If this is the case, then try and narrow down the ones nearest to your home.
Do try and encourage your child to study away from home as this is a wonderful way for them to meet some new friends. You never know, they might actually love being away and enjoy their independence.
Decide Upon A College
Once you have done your research, it is time to head to different colleges to take a look around. This will give both you and your child a feel for the place, to see if they will enjoy studying there. Once they have decided on a college, it is time to apply and pay the fees. When you are filling in college application forms, your child needs to try and sell themselves. Making themselves look amazing and stating all their likes and interests.
Hit The Shops
There may be items that your child needs before they can attend college. For instance, if they need kitchen items or books to study with. You will need to find a day where you both go shopping and get all the essentials and the necessities. Make a list of all the items that are needed and go from there, it might be that you need to visit many different shops in order to succeed on your mission.
Once you have everything your child needs then make sure you pack it away so it isn’t forgotten when it’s time to leave.
It’s Moving Day
Once your child has a place at a college and has found which accommodation they are going to use, it is time to move them in. This can be a sad and daunting time for everyone involved, however, reassure your teen that everything will be fine. You are only ever a phone call away if something does go wrong and you can go to pick them up. Give them a chance to mingle and make some friends, don’t rush to their side as soon as they have an issue. This inhibits their problem solving skills and makes them heavily reliant on you.
Make sure they have everything they need when they are moving away for college. If they are in a shared home then they may already have everything they need in the home. However, if they are moving into a place with nothing then they will need to be kitted out with kitchen stuff like saucepans. Wherever they go, they will also need bedding as this won’t be readily available to them.
Stay In Touch
Finally, encourage your child to stay in touch with you when they are far from home. It might not mean anything to them, however, it can put your mind at ease when you do hear from them and know they are safe. If they don’t currently have any way of staying in touch then it might be a nice idea to get them a phone or tablet as a going away present. Make sure you put your number on this so you are only a phone call or message away.
If they love keeping in touch then you can likely expect a phone call every day telling you about their day and what they have been up to. This is great, as you will always know how they are and if they are enjoying their courses.
We hope you found this helpful and it gave you some ideas on how you can get everything prepared for your child venturing off to college. There will come a time when they have to fly the nest and you will need to let go. As hard as this can be, your children will always remember who was there for them and who supported them on their journey.
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