As you would have realized already, the competition for college admissions is fierce, to say the least. The process tends to put a strain on not only students but also parents. These days some learners start preparing for university admissions even from elementary schools.
Before you plunge into the panic mode, take a deep breath. There is much you can do as parents other than bribing your way through to secure a seat. Here are a few things that could help your child get ahead of the game of university admissions.
Help One Get Through Academic Challenges
High school is a tough time for many students. Peer pressure alone will get to many students and affect their performance in many ways. Do not always assume that your teenager can take care of their academics by themselves.
Students need time-management, and organizational skills to keep up with the deadlines. There are many ways you can help them. Finding reliable sources to assist them through studies such as write my essay online services is always recommended. This will allow them to get enough assistance in their more challenging subjects.
The sooner your children get to know that there are ways to relieve the burden and receive assistance for any academic emergency, the more relaxed they’ll feel in the future.
Encourage Visiting a College
With the acceptance rate hitting a record low of 4.5% in 2019, the pressure is stronger than ever for college applicants. The demand for educational consultants and admission counselors is on the rise to advise students on which universities to apply and how to approach the procedure.
Then there is the infamous college cheating scandal that only adds fuel to the fire.
There is nothing better than a happening campus for students to get the first-hand experience, improve the view of and get excited about the prospect of college. The environment, the classrooms, and even the common areas will give your child an impression on what to expect on campus grounds. It will also allow them to look for specific aspects they expect from the future college.
Visiting a college first-hand is always better than deciding from a set of brochures or websites.
Know Your Child
Your child may be interested in a particular field of study or a specific university. These could also change over time or since they have shared their future plans with you. As parents, you should also be aware of their preferences.
Preparing for college starts from picking the right classes in high school, as mentioned in the Harvard website. It is best to know about the subjects they take, their favorite institutions, how the system works, and the details of the admission processes. This way, when your child comes to you with concerns, you can address them better and in line with kid’s preferences.
Prepare with Practice Tests
The standardized tests before admissions might seem like a never-ending array of hurdles. The SATs, ACTs, PSATs, AP, and IB are the notable acronyms you will come across. Your child would need to start preparing for them as early as possible while in high school.
There are plenty of resources and materials available for the studying process for all these tests. You can help your kids prepare for the exams by helping them study, or having them take mock tests online.
If you can afford it, you can also have your child get an SAT or ACT tutor here, or have them take test preparation classes.
Let Your Child Take the Reign
As parents, it is only natural instinct that you have to solve problems for your kid. But when it comes to college admissions, it is best for a kid to feel that one is in control. Let them get their application in order, as well as take care of recommendations, transcripts, and other parts.
However, this does not mean that you just have to stand by. You can guide them to create timelines, double-check the document lists and provide any help they may ask you to offer.
Remember to Communicate
Most parents end up assuming many things about their kids. It could go either way; you could think they need you to do everything for them or you don’t have to do anything. Both of these approaches can bring more harm than good.
So make sure to establish clear and consistent communication. Your teen could be stressed about the admissions, and pushing them will make it only worse. Try to stay available for them if they have any questions. Play the role of both the mentor and a parent.
Mind the Costs
Financing a college education is a huge responsibility. Fortunately, almost every university offers financial aid and scholarships. If you are hoping to get one for your child, it is necessary that you have this discussion beforehand and choose together.
Being aware of the financial situation will allow them to plan and prepare accordingly. There are also other ways to get extra college credit, such as AP classes in high school or summer lessons if you want to take advantage of them.
Wrapping Up
In the midst of all the preps, do not forget to look past colleges and ask your child about one’s goals.
Understand that there might be complications and that it is an equally stressful time for them as well. So remember to support your children and offer your helping hand whenever necessary.