Nancy Etz Shares 7 Ways To Ensure Your Child Is Ready For College

Getting into the best college has been the goal of high school students for decades and remains so. The parents play an important role in getting their children ready for college by working with them to ensure they are ready. 

Knowing your child is ready for college can be difficult, with the statistics showing most parents send their students to college unprepared. Only 58-percent of students return for a second year at the same college. Getting prepared for college can start as far back as middle school, with some help in high school important to each student.

1. Visit a College 

The college experience can seem a world away from the life of a high school student. To get a student excited about moving on to higher education, the first step can be a trip to a local college. Traveling to a college will make it easy for your student to understand why moving on with education is so important, with a local college providing an excellent springboard for success. Super College reports the first trip to a local college should be followed by trips to colleges in and out of state. Planning your trip to a college with your child will help build their excitement about their academic career.

2. Look into Scholarships

Millions of students are racking up large debts as they try to further their academic careers. The financial burden of school is a large one for those studying in and out of state. By researching and applying for scholarships, a student has the ability to reduce their financial burden. The Nancy Etz Scholarship offers a $1,000 financial prize to the winner of an annual essay-writing contest. The Nancy Etz Scholarship is one of many on offer to students across the U.S. who fit into the academic guidelines of the award.

3. Get Involved in Activities

Way back in middle school, your student should start to get involved in extracurricular activities. As a parent or caregiver, your job is to encourage your child to become a well-rounded individual capable of adding to the campus experience of their peers. Great Schools explains an impressive academic record is a good starting point for college readiness but not the basis for the final decision. Colleges are looking for students who are capable of getting involved in sports, the arts, and other activities that enrich the lives of others. 

4. Make Sure Your Teen Wants to Attend

Who is applying for college? This is the question many parents fail to ask themselves when their child is considering their future. Parents will push their children to a school that appeals to them instead of considering the feelings of their child. Talking with your child about the choice they believe is best for them can open up a world of opportunities for a family. Parents will learn more about their children by talking to them than judging their abilities by grades alone.

5. Identify Problem Areas

There is rarely a child who does not have some form of a problem at high school. When a student arrives at college the problems they have will be magnified by the independence they achieve. Problems with late assignments and poor attendance will be evident in high school if a parent takes the time to look for them. Several problems can be identified when you are preparing your children for college. By working with high school teachers and guidance counselors to address these challenges, your child will arrive at college prepared for their future. 

6. Teach Children About Self-Care

Is your child ready to take care of themselves? This question needs addressing long before any college applications are submitted. Teenagers can struggle with the basic needs of life, including the need to get enough sleep and to eat nutritionally balanced meals. High school is a difficult time as teenagers become aware of drugs and alcohol. While attending college, the number of temptations will be increased as drugs and alcohol are readily available. Talking with your children to prepare them for these temptations is important to keep them safe. 

7. Encourage Reading

College prep tends to focus on the need to pass certain exams and tests. Parents will focus on passing the correct exams and not look to the future studies of their children. To prepare your child for college, you should encourage your children to read for 30 minutes each day. Regular reading habits will make it easier for your children to perform to their best when attending college. 

There are many ways to prepare your children for college and help them achieve success. Open lines of communication will make it easier for you and your children to work with you to achieve their best. The high school and college experiences are very different and need personal and financial preparation for you to feel confident in their academic abilities.