Raising Kids:
Parenting Skills for the 21st Century
College Prep
Although their are some very good jobs available today that do not require a college degree, your children greatly increase their chances of having a successful career with a great company (or group of companies) if they have a college degree.
College preparation must start sooner than the second semester of a young person's senior year of High School. Below are some tips in preparing your children to be accepted by a quality university and succeed while there.
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Frequently talk about going to college. From even a young age, make it clear that it is not a question of if but a question of where your kids will go to college. If kids believe they must get there someday, it will shape how they apply themselves in school. If they believe there is an option, they may 'opt out' before they have all the facts.
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Teach them the whole person concept. Most universities today are looking for young people who are well rounded, that is, proficient in many academic subjects, involved in extracurricular activities and having demonstrated leadership. Your kids should understand the value of getting good grades but also being involved in clubs, sports teams, and civic and church activities. All of these contribute to a great college application. A strong GPA and college entrance test scores are key, but being well rounded is important as well.
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Take grades seriously. If your child is falling behind in Algebra and does not recover, all later math subjects will be a struggle as well. Get involved in teaching your kids, hire a tutor, or have them retake a class rather than letting them advance while lacking skills they will need later.
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Encourage enrollment in college prep courses. Most high schools offer advanced placement or college prep courses to students who can handle the subject matter. Encourage your child to take them if they are being recommended for them. These courses become invaluable when as a Freshman in college, your child will have a better chance in getting good grades and managing their workload at a time when many students struggle making the adjustment.
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Visit colleges starting in eleventh grade. One way to get kids motivated is to let them see the kind of institution they could attend. Take a trip to visit colleges early in your child's eleventh grade year so that they know where they should apply. Be realistic; do not visit the Ivy League if your child should be attending a state school.
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Apply for scholarships. These days there are scholarships for virtually every category of student. Research what's available both publically and privately and encourage your children to apply for as many as possible. A great resource is www.scholarships.com
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Take and retake college entrance exams. Most of these tests can be taken as many times as you choose. Start as early as possible and continue to test until scores flatten out. Take full advantage of courses that help students prepare for these tests. They can be very effective.
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Don't discount the role of the military. The GI bill still offers one of the best ways to earn money for college but requires a serious commitment of time and sacrifice on active duty in one of the armed forces. The U.S. Military Academies offer full ride scholarships including room, board and training, but are highly competitive and a major commitment of 5 years upon graduation. If your child graduates from one of these institutions they can write their ticket in or out of the military.
With a little encouragement most kids will get very motivated about attending college. Help them to make the decision of where to attend based on what will deliver their ultimate career goal vs. any other considerations (for example, where the best parties are, who has the best football team, etc.).
Vacations
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