Manage expectations for your future college student

For parents of high school upper-classmen and even college-bound students, the reality of their kids moving on to college is becoming more real. For years many parents have pushed the college conversation and prodded their kids to plan and prepare for what college they will attend. Now that the fruits of that labor (no pun intended) has paid off and your “baby” will soon be off to her next life adventure and even closer to adulthood.

 

With days or weeks left before your student heads to the dorms, you’re probably focused on the material items they need to survive away from home. While their microwaves, laptops, bedding and gaming consoles are important, don’t forget to prepare your newly independent child with your expectations.

 

As Anne Reeves, a columnist with PennLive.com, reports transitioning your child from under your roof to college isn’t easy and even goes on to say, “The transition will sting.” But she confidently says you’ll get through it and offers some sound advice.

 

In particular, she mentions three important pieces of advice that might be overlooked. First, she reminds parents to discuss your student’s finances before she leaves. Between loans, work study and your hard-earned dollars helping to fund the effort, make sure your student knows her budget and her financial obligations while she’s away. This will help make sure everyone’s operating under the same beliefs.

 

Second, she reminds parents to review expectations. Certain scholarships and financial aid packages require minimum grade point averages, attendance levels and usually conclude in four years. If any of these expectations aren’t met, the institution may no longer be a viable option if their financial aid dries up.

 

Finally, she simply states, “Have the talk.” Many of us remember the movie Animal House was about a rowdy group of college students that may have seemed fun when we were younger, but breeds fear among us as parents. While some of the challenges of college may manifest themselves in high school like underage drinking, sex and drugs, it’s always good to remind them to be safe and act like responsible adults.

 

College remains a great learning experience both in and out of the classroom and serves as a unique primer for life as an adult. Does miss any opportunity to better prepare your student for this once in a lifetime experience, so she can maximize her time.