Parenting My Teen

Whether the new college student is staying at home or going to live at the college dorm, there are some things that need to be done to show the teen how to prepare for college. This isn’t just a new experience for the student, but for the  parents as well. That means both parties should be ready to handle this new phase of life.

Paperwork: Naturally, one of the most important things to wrap up is the paperwork. Those who don’t prepare for college by filling out the correct paperwork may find themselves lacking when it comes to classes, supplies and even financial aid. Check to be sure that the paperwork for the following areas is covered: Financial aid, housing, academic schedule, admissions paperwork and testing.

Supplies: Take the summer to learn what is needed to take to college. Visit yard sales and outlet stores to find decent deals on things like a dorm fridge and organizational supplies. Update schedules and address books to reflect your schedule and maintain contact with family members and friends.

Vehicle: Whether you’re going to be riving to school every day or you plan to stay on campus and come home on weekends, you’ll need to be sure that you have a well maintained vehicle. It would be a horrible thing to miss a class or trip home because you forgot to change the oil!

Medical: Whenever you are going to a new area, it’s a good idea to take the time to visit your family doctor and make sure all medical issues are taken care of. Fill prescriptions that you can and transfer what you are able to so that there are no last minute problems getting your medications when needed.

Communication: If the student doesn’t already have a cell phone, now might be the time to get one. Family plans offer discounts for family members to talk to each other. This could be a great way to save money on phone bills, including long distance charges if the student is moving out of the area.

Goodbye: It’s always a good idea to plan some sort of get together so that people can say goodbye to those that are leaving for college. Don’t underestimate what an enormous change this is going to be. Parents and young  adults alike are usually nervous at this time. It’s not a bad idea to take the time to talk about fears, concerns and goals with loved ones. Parents should be careful to not overburden their children with expectations and anxieties, just as children should not underestimate the advice that parents give them. Now is the time to talk to each other as adults about to take an unfamiliar step together.

Written by Lorraine Nyc – Featured Mental Health Contributor; Featured Parenting Contributor

Here are some resources you may find valuable when helping your teen prepare for college:

Instant College Admission Essay Kit: Admission essay/personal statement writing kit with 33 downloadable templates that can save applicants hundreds of dollars.

Financial Aid Information Site: One-stop shop for anything about college financial aid. Learn how you can quickly and easily get more Financial Aid without having to apply for thousands of scholarships!

Send Your Child To College Free. Or Close to it: A money back guarantee. This is a guide for people who have a low to moderate income to a practically free college education, even if you have excessive credit card debt.

Admissions Essay: Admissions Essays is the first and best admission essay and personal statement development service on the Web. Unlike other sites, our Ivy-League educated editors and writers not only offer critique and proof-reading services — they provide complete and unique model essay development services.

eCampus: Your #1 source for cheap textbooks! Now with more discount textbook buying options than ever before- you can buy new and used textbooks, etextbooks, and rent textbooks. Plus we have the largest selection of college textbooks at the lowest prices!