Once your teen has entered the high school years, it is already time to start thinking about college. There is an abundance of information to process as you prepare for this next step in life. Here are four ways that you can help your teen to effectively prepare for college.
Practice for the ACT or SAT
The ACT and SAT are both standardized tests that most colleges use as a way to measure a student’s aptitude. Which test is given depends on the region in the country it is being administered. The score is a large determining factor in whether colleges accept your student, he or she receives scholarship qualifications and more. There is a myriad of test prep classes, free tutorials and online resources designed to help students succeed and get the score that they need for their college of choice.
Help Your Teen Develop Time Management Skills
Learning effective time management skills is an essential part of prepping for college. Your student needs to know how to balance homework and class attendance with socializing and, possibly, work. You can help your teen to develop these skills now by giving him or her more freedom with his or her schedule in high school. Empowering your child to make the right time management decisions while still in high school will help him or her feel ready for the rigors of college.
Talk About How to Handle Stressful Situations
Many students experience a large amount of stress while being away from home for the first time. The higher expectations that come in the classroom and the freedom of being on his or her own for the first time can all make a student feel easily stressed. Teaching your child coping methods, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist, can equip your child with the tools like online homework help for college students to handle the stress.
Talk About Safety
Unfortunately, college campuses are not protected from crime and other dangerous situations. This is why it is important to talk to your teen about basic safety principles, such as avoiding alcohol and drugs. Communicating with the school to ensure that safety is a priority will also ease your mind and make your student aware of the potential dangers. Come up with a list of questions about safety to ask a representative from your teen’s potential college.
Equipping your teen with the knowledge and tools that he or she needs to succeed in college will pay off big dividends. Empowering your child to make good decisions while guiding him or her through this transition will yield the best results.
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