Searching for Colleges is About More than Searching for Colleges
For many students, the college search is about more than simply searching for places to go to college. This is potentially the first time they have actually begun to think about life after high school. That is a lot of stuff to process and it can be daunting or intimidating. Sometimes, a little nudge to keep them going forward is what they need.
Some Ways to Apply Gentle Pressure:
- Schedule Regular Discussions About Their College Search
- Be a Source of Accountability
- Stay Engaged in the Process
Schedule Regular Discussions About Their College Search
Searching for colleges is a project and can be treated like one. If your student tends to meander a bit or procrastinate, having regular bi-monthly or monthly meetings with them to discuss progress, identify tasks and upcoming deadlines can be a useful way to keep them on target and maintain some of their focus. These don’t have to be formal business affairs. Take them out for brunch or lunch on the weekend before the football games start. Or maybe you have a chance to meet with them over appetizers before the rest of the family joins you for dinner. The goal is to meet regularly and one-on-one with your student.
Be a Source of Accountability
There are deadlines and tasks which have to be met as part of your student’s college search. Make sure you know what those dates and to-do items are and that your student meets them. And remember, it is just as important that you meet YOUR deadlines as part of this process, as well. If you commit to having your financial data gathered by a certain date, you need to get that done when you say you’ll have it done.
Stay Engaged in the Process
The college search is about more than just where your student is going to school. This is possibly one of the first times a student has been forced to give a lot of thought to their future and their careers and it can be stressful dealing with all of that uncertainty. Staying engaged in the process can reassure your student that you are supporting them in their search.
Do you have some of your own tips for keeping your student on target? Share them with us and we may post your advice on our site! <LINK to contact us>