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What You and Your Teen Need to Know Before Heading to University or College: A Comprehensive Guide

Sam Carter

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Published in Don T Leave Please Go: What You (and Your Teen) Need To Know Before Heading To University Or College (Guide For Parents 1)

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Heading off to university or college marks a significant milestone in a young person's life. It's a time of newfound independence, academic challenges, and personal growth. As a parent, you want to ensure your teen is well-equipped to navigate the transition and make the most of their college experience.

Don t Leave Please Go: what you (and your teen) need to know before heading to university or college (Guide for parents 1)

Don't Leave, Please Go: what you (and your teen) need to know before heading to university or college (Guide for parents Book 1)

by Cheryl Orlassino

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1383 KB
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	177 pages

This comprehensive guide will provide you and your teenager with all the essential information you need to know before embarking on this exciting journey.

College Admissions: What You Need to Know

The college admissions process can be daunting, but it's important to remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. Start early and give your teen plenty of time to research different schools, explore their interests, and prepare their applications.

Start early. The best time to start thinking about college is during your teen's sophomore year of high school. This will give them plenty of time to research different schools, explore their interests, and prepare their applications.
Research different schools. Encourage your teen to visit different colleges and universities to get a feel for the campus culture and academic programs. They should also attend college fairs and talk to admissions counselors to learn more about different schools.
Explore your teen's interests. Help your teen identify their interests and passions. This will help them narrow down their college search and find schools that offer programs that align with their interests.
Prepare your applications. The college application process can be time-consuming, so it's important to start early. Your teen should start working on their essays and applications during the summer before their senior year of high school.

The Transition to College Life

The transition to college life can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Your teen will be faced with new academic challenges, social situations, and living arrangements. It's important to be supportive and help them adjust to this new chapter in their lives.

Academic challenges. College courses are more challenging than high school courses. Your teen will need to develop good study habits and time management skills to succeed in college.
Social situations. College is a great place to meet new people and make friends. However, it can also be a challenging social environment. Your teen may experience homesickness, loneliness, or anxiety. It's important to encourage them to get involved in campus activities and seek support from friends, family, and counselors if needed.
Living arrangements. Most college students live on campus in dormitories or residence halls. This can be a great way to meet new people and make friends. However, it can also be a challenging adjustment for some students. Your teen may need to learn how to live with roommates, share common spaces, and manage their own finances.

Making the Most of College

College is a time for learning, growth, and exploration. Encourage your teen to take advantage of all that college has to offer, both inside and outside the classroom.

Get involved on campus. There are many ways for students to get involved on campus. Your teen should explore different clubs, organizations, and activities to find ones that match their interests.
Seek out opportunities for academic enrichment. College offers many opportunities for students to enhance their learning experience. Your teen should take advantage of office hours, tutoring services, and research opportunities.
Explore your career interests. College is a great time to explore different career paths. Your teen should attend career fairs, talk to professors and career counselors, and intern or volunteer in different fields.
Take care of your mental health. College can be a stressful time for students. It's important for your teen to take care of their mental health by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. They should also seek support from friends, family, and counselors if needed.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

College can be expensive, but there are many ways to reduce the cost. Encourage your teen to apply for financial aid and scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses.

FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to applying for financial aid. Your teen should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of their senior year of high school.
Scholarships. There are many different types of scholarships available to college students. Your teen should start researching scholarships early and apply for as many as possible.
Work-study. Work-study is a federal program that provides part-time jobs to students with financial need. Your teen can apply for work-study through their college's financial aid office.
Loans. Loans are another way to finance college. However, it's important to borrow only what you need and to understand the terms of your loan before you sign on the dotted line.

Housing and Campus Life

Most college students live on campus in dormitories or residence halls. This can be a great way to meet new people and make friends. However, it can also be a challenging adjustment for some students. Your teen may need to learn how to live with roommates, share common spaces, and manage their own finances.