The Parent’s Guide to College Preparation
Ever feel like college prep is this big mystery? Like, where do you even start? Well, today, we're diving into the parents' guide to college preparation. It's seriously like your cheat sheet for navigating those high school years. No matter where your student is in that journey, we've got you covered.
Speaker 2:I love this guy. It makes everything so clear, and it's easy to understand.
Speaker 1:Right. And it breaks everything down year by year because let's be real. Freshman year is a whole different ballgame than senior year. Right? Speaking of freshman year, the guide calls it laying the foundation.
Speaker 1:What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 2:It's so true. You know, it's easy to think you just have to worry about college admissions senior year, but it really is about starting strong from the very beginning. Colleges wanna see that whole journey, not just a good final report card.
Speaker 1:So it's that long game, not a quick sprint to the finish. And it's not all about grades either. Right? Yeah. The guide also talks about getting involved early.
Speaker 2:Definitely. But here's the thing. Colleges are good at seeing when students are just doing things to look good on their application. Freshman year is the perfect time to just explore, you know? Yeah.
Speaker 2:Try new things even if they sound weird or different. You never know what might spark something.
Speaker 1:Right. Like that student who thought debate club would be boring, but then ended up loving it and winning a national championship their senior year.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Exactly. It's about finding that thing, their people, even if it takes trying a few different things first.
Speaker 1:Okay. So you've got that solid freshman year down. How do you keep that momentum going into sophomore year?
Speaker 2:Sophomore year is all about going deeper, not just trying a million things. So they've tried some stuff. Now it's about focusing on what they really love and maybe even taking on more responsibility there. Could be leading a group, mentoring someone younger, or just doing more in a club they're already in.
Speaker 1:And that's when the PSATs show up too. Right? Even though those scores don't kill for scholarships yet, the guide really emphasizes practicing.
Speaker 2:It's like think about it. Would you rather be totally surprised by the PSAT and MSQT or have a little practice beforehand? Knowing what to expect just makes things less stressful later on, plus you get an idea of where you're at and what you might need to work on.
Speaker 1:Makes total sense. And while we're on the topic of being prepared, the guide also mentions starting to think about colleges during sophomore year in a casual way, of course. Any tips for making that fun for families, not just another thing on the to do list?
Speaker 2:Those chill visits, you know, not the official tours, can be super helpful for both students and parents. Maybe plan a weekend trip around checking out a campus or just stop by if you're already in the area. Just walking around, maybe grabbing some food there can give you a real feel the place.
Speaker 1:Alright. So we've got the groundwork done, built some momentum, but now we're getting to the good stuff junior year. And the guide doesn't mess around. It straight up calls it the pivotal year.
Speaker 2:Well, it is. This is when things really matter for colleges. And it's not just that junior year grades are super important. It's also the year for the PSAT and MSQT for those National Merit Scholarships. And time to finalize that college list.
Speaker 1:Oh, and don't forget those teacher recommendations. Those are crucial.
Speaker 2:Totally. That's why building those relationships now is so important. Encourage your kids to actually participate in class, go to office hours if they have questions, even just chat with the teacher for a few minutes after class. Trust me, those small moments make a big difference when you need to ask for a recommendation later.
Speaker 1:It's all about making those connections early on. Right? Speaking of which, let's talk about the final stretch, senior year. I can already feel the excitement building for this one.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. You can feel the energy change. Right? It's this mix of excitement, but, also, let's be real, a little bit of, like, I'm tired.
Speaker 1:Totally. Totally. But even with all that excitement, the guide also says to watch out for senioritis, which, let's be honest, it's understandable with how much they have going on.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's a balancing act for sure. Yeah. Finishing strong those last grades is huge, but, also, they kinda enjoy these last moments of high school. You know? Mental health is important too.
Speaker 2:This is where that month by month breakdown in the guide is a lifesaver. It's like taking this huge year and making it into smaller, doable steps.
Speaker 1:For sure. So thinking about those steps, any that stand out as, like, don't miss this kind of things.
Speaker 2:September. Right off the bat, college essays. It's tempting to push those off. But, honestly, getting a head start makes all the difference. Brainstorming, figuring what they wanna say, those drafts, it all takes time.
Speaker 1:Right. And then, bam, October hits you with FAFSA, and it's like a whole other level of what is this?
Speaker 2:Financial stuff. It's its own beast. But just like everything else, getting started early is key. The guide really stresses those open, honest conversations about money early on. Families can make better decisions together when everyone's on the same page.
Speaker 1:You know what really got me in the guide? That part about trusting yourself, trusting your kid, trusting the process. It's so easy to get caught up in all the deadlines and stuff, but at the end of the day, you just want your kid to be happy and successful.
Speaker 2:And that's really what it's all about. Right? Not just getting into college, but setting them up for success once they're there. The guy talks about finding the right fit, not just the best college on some list, and that's so important.
Speaker 1:Yes. Fit over fame. 100%. There's so much more to it than just rankings.
Speaker 2:So much more. You wanna match your child's, like, you know, their strengths, what they're into, how they learn best to a place where they can actually thrive. It could be a small school, big university. The best one is the one where your kid feels challenged but supported. You know?
Speaker 1:I know so many parents were, like, Ivy League or bust. But realistically, that's not the right environment for everyone, and that's okay.
Speaker 2:More than okay. Yeah. Celebrate what makes your kid unique. Help them find a place that values that.
Speaker 1:I love that. It's like giving them permission to say forget those expectations and figure out what success means for them.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And enjoy the ride, even the bumpy parts. Let's be honest. There will be stress. There will be self doubt, maybe even a rejection or 2.
Speaker 2:That's just part of it.
Speaker 1:Oh, for sure. That's where having a plan, like we're talking about with this guide, can be a lifesaver.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And you're not alone in this. Talk to people, school counselors, look online. There's tons of support out there.
Speaker 1:The guide also mentioned something I thought was interesting, taking care of yourself during this whole process as a parent. It's easy to get so focused on your kid's stress that you forget to, you know, take a breather yourself.
Speaker 2:So important. You can't help anyone if you're running on empty. This whole thing is just as emotionally intense for parents, sometimes even more so. Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's essential.
Speaker 1:Right. It's that whole put your oxygen mask on first thing. But for real, taking breaks, asking for help, even just remembering to breathe deeply, it makes a huge difference.
Speaker 2:It really does. And think about it, your kid's watching you. How you handle stress, how you face challenges, how you celebrate wins, those are all lessons for them too.
Speaker 1:So true. Okay. We've covered a lot. Finding the right fit, self care. What else stood out to you in the guide that maybe we haven't gotten to yet?
Speaker 2:Their section on figuring out the money part is seriously helpful. We all know college is expensive, and it can be a tough topic to even bring up. But this guide makes it, like, actually doable.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's not just about knowing how much a college costs, but understanding all the different ways to make it work. Right?
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's like, okay, scholarships, grants, financial aid, what are our options? Having those conversations with your kid about what's really possible for your family is so important.
Speaker 1:Being open and honest about that stuff early on can really help everyone feel less stressed, and it teaches kids those real life skills they'll need no matter what.
Speaker 2:For sure. It's part of becoming a responsible adult. Right? And you never know. Sometimes those tough money talks actually lead to some pretty creative solutions.
Speaker 1:Totally. Maybe it means thinking about community college for a couple years or really going all in on those scholarship applications.
Speaker 2:So many possibilities when you work together as a family, brainstorm, and just stay open to different paths. It's about being smart, being proactive, and remembering there's no one right way to do this whole college thing.
Speaker 1:That's so key. Alright. So as we wrap up this deep dive into the parents' guide to college preparation, what's that one big takeaway you want our listeners to remember? That piece of advice they can use starting today.
Speaker 2:Remember this. Getting your kid into college is important, but it's really about so much more than that. It's about helping them grow, figure out who they are, what lights them UP. That's what's gonna make them successful in college, a and d, and life.
Speaker 1:So well said. It's about the journey, not just the destination. Right? And you're not alone in this, parents. What really resonated with you from today's talk?
Speaker 1:What questions do you still have? Keep those conversations going because we're all in this together.
