7 Important Ways You Can Help Your Child Succeed in the College Process

7 Important Ways You Can Help Your Child Succeed in the College Process

Though it is the student who goes off to college, there is no denying that the application process is a family affair. Whether it’s your first child or you’ve sent more than one to college, this is a major transition for everyone.With so much at stake, it's no wonder that many parents feel compelled to be actively involved in their child's search and application process. And while the intentions are good, the experience isn’t always positive.The good news is that it can be! Applying to college can bond the family in new ways and create lasting memories of fun and support.Let's examine some ways parents can best play a role in helping their children through the college process (and how students can do their part too).

Ask Questions About Non-College Related Things

There is a lot of pressure on your student to do well in the college process. And you play a big role in helping him or her manage their stress levels.Make a point to find things other than the college process to talk about so that they have a break from the chaos. Dinner time should be a reprieve instead of an agitator. Instead of asking about how essays or activity lists or extracurricular activities are going whenever a thought or worry occurs to you, make a list of your most pressing questions and find a time that you and your child can both agree on to talk about them. It may be helpful to work with an admissions expert who can filter some of your questions and concerns away from your child and give you both clarity. Maintaining proper perspective and balance in your conversations will reduce the tension in the house and help your child ultimately be more productive.

Tour Campuses Together

Many families use breaks in the academic calendar to visit colleges together. But the way you plan your trip can help your child get the most out of your time on the various campuses that you will see.Work as a team to observe as much of the campus as possible. Perhaps you sit in on the information session while your child attends a class. You can ask your questions to the admissions officer on duty and get the contact information of the officer assigned to read applications from your region while your student goes off and eats with new friends in the cafeteria. When you come back together you can trade information, notes, and pictures and debrief as a family.By having different experiences, you increase the amount of valuable information you have to share with each other, getting the most from your visit and energizing family conversation.

Respect the Difficulty of the Process

With every admitted class, admissions officers talk about how they faced their toughest decisions to date. It is routine for the most selective schools to see their acceptance rate tick down annually.Further, schools that might have been safety schools back when you were applying do not necessarily have the same reputation or admission standards as they once did. You can help your student in the process by sharing tales of your own college experience but keep in mind that much of the application process has changed since then.Be open-minded about the schools your child is interested in. Find out as much as you can about how that school might empower your student to pursue his or her passions and remember that, even if it isn’t your first choice, this process is about your child finding the ideal fit for him or her.

Help with Time Management

With so many separate elements to the college process, in addition to the responsibilities of 12th grade, your child will inevitably need help staying on top of all of the things on his or her plate. You can be a major asset in keeping them organized.Keep a master calendar with all major due dates, deadlines, interview appointments, or any other noteworthy markers so that your child can clearly see what's in front of him or her to do and you also have a sense of how the process is progressing. Play the role of your children's administrative assistant in this. Help them take responsibility for knowing when things are due and then support them in accomplishing their goals.

Encourage and Empower

Be firmly in your child's corner during this process. But empower him or her to be their best self-advocate.For example, instead of writing an email to an admissions officer asking about reservations for a tour, help your student draft an email in his or her own voice. Admissions officers generally respond better to correspondence from students rather than parents. But you can be a major source of encouragement and guidance from behind the scenes.This will pay long-term dividends both to your child's confidence and to the perception of them in this process. Show your child that you believe him or her to be ready for the responsibilities to come at the next level of their education through your gentle but steady support of their efforts, helping them to own their own process.

Feed Him or Her Well

With the hours that your student will spend working on applications and the unavoidable stress that comes along with waiting to hear hopefully positive news, certain habits like eating regularly or maintaining a sleep schedule are often sacrificed. It is important for growing minds to be properly fed and rested.Especially during this application season, make sure that your child is taking good physical care of him or herself. A home-cooked meal (or a trip to a favorite restaurant) can go a long way in resetting the anxiety meter and allowing for better work to be produced.Model healthy habits for your student and keep them functioning at their best level.

Plan Family Breaks Together to Have Fun

As you plan trips to visit colleges or find yourself with a few free days, make time to have fun in ways that have nothing to do with the college process. Thanksgiving and Winter break will likely be packed with activities related to finishing applications, so make the time that you have together count.Focus on enjoying each other's company and creating memories that your child will keep after they have left for college. The quantity of time you have to spend together as a family will undoubtedly be reduced during this process; but the quality doesn’t have to be. Find rejuvenating experiences that provide a temporary relief and motivation to keep pushing forward.Successfully applying to college is a team effort. Parents play an important role of keeping their students on task and healthy. While every student and family is different, hopefully these tips give you a sense of where to direct your energy in helping your child do his or her best.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us