Teens and college

Charmaine - posted on 10/28/2010

My daughter is a freshman in college and waited to the last possible minute to apply. It was very fortunate that she had very good grades so she got in with financial help. What helped her to look at the further was having her talk about what she might be interested in doing for a living and having her look up the present job market and what experience and education it needed. When she saw her earning potential after college she started looking at schools.

Lori - posted on 10/27/2010

If you have set up an expectation in your family that your children will go to college, they know it. :) I have one in right now - she never thought twice. I have another one who had to throw the teenage angst around a little bit - but I believe she will also go, as she is bright, studious, and wants to pursue a specific future that will not be an option WITHOUT college.
Some kids just can't do it. Either they don't have the academic commitment, or the available funds, or are just not suited for a secondary academic environment, for whatever reason. The military might be an option for some, or some other type of apprentice or internship based training for a specific field, like auto mechanics (thank God for them, right??). So don't be annoyed with the school for stating ALL the various options. Just like everything else, with regard to public education, YOU have to take responsibility for where you want that education to take YOUR particular child.
Just my two cents! :)

Angie - posted on 10/24/2010

I may be the wet blanket in this, but I agree with her high school. Some don't have the ability to go to college. Some don't have the finances to go to college. Telling students, as freshmen, that they don't have to go to college to be a success is a good thing. If a student is already committeed to going to college, these conversations won't affect them. My son went through an "I don't want to go to college" phase. We made him volunteer to do a lot of physical labor one summer and work at McDonald's the next. When he realized how difficult it would be not to go to college, he never thought of that again. Just today, he got his first two college acceptance letters.

Polly - posted on 10/24/2010

Dear Sara,

Living through raising teenagers is a miraculous experience in and of it self. I have 2 in college now and one of them took a year off before attending a jr. college and his twin sister went right in to a the same jr college not with out tears and fits. She was bent on going to a private out of state university and being $100,000. with only the tuition paid. She had know concept of money.

Remember how hard it was to grow up... I do and as a parent we get to observer and let go.. I am not sure which is harder. Just love and accept your daughter that is the most powerful gift we can give them.

Polly

Jane - posted on 10/22/2010

I have one in her junior year of college and one in his junior year of high school. College was never discussed as an "option" in our home so they just always grew up knowing they were going to college. What you have to understand, especially with a public school, they don't have all kids who would suceed in college for multiple reasons so they have to accommodate all options for all kids. It is the schools responsibility to show all options for post high school opportunities but it is up to you as a parent to do what's best for your child. Do not be infuriated....if you want your daughter to go to college and she's able to take on college life and wants to go, then she will. The school is right though...there are other options for those who just feel college is not for them.

Pam - posted on 10/22/2010

My daughter is a freshman in H.S. as well. She's already been taken to her parents alma mater and to a large state college, a mid size state college and a small private college. We do it as fun day trips. No college tours. Just us. We drive around campus, wander through classroom buildings, go to the student center, check out dorms. As we go, we talk about how much fun we had when we were there. We comment on all the building signs - who knew there were so many majors! The idea is just to start her thinking about what she likes and doesn't like. There is no pressure. We just stroll through and enjoy the atmosphere. Pick a gorgeous day. What teen can resist a bunch of kids sitting out on the Quad playing frisbie and reading?