COLLEGE PREP READY

“The First Step that Every Family Must Take in the College Prep Process”
By Ashley Hill
 
The college prep process is an exciting time in the lives of college-bound teens and their families. Although this time can be challenging for many families, the challenge is well worth the time and effort necessary to make a successful transition from high school to the college setting. 
 
Yet, no two students are alike which means that their college prep journeys will be equally as different. The unifying characteristics of every student’s college prep journey must be a college prep strategy designed to give students the competitive advantage.  Students need a competitive advantage because students in local, national, and international areas are competing for freshmen spots in colleges. Families must also be aware that college applications displaying stellar grades and an extensive volunteer history don’t automatically mean successful college admissions into the student’s desired college. 
 
What’s the first step in the college prep process? 
The first step is to develop an accurate perspective of the college prep process and the college environment. This first step may seem unimportant but is vital as it influences the course of the college prep process for students and families. Having realistic expectations of the college prep process and college life helps students to reduce stress, expand access to college prep resources, and minimize distractions by avoiding common roadblocks in the college prep process.
 
How do students and families develop realistic expectations?  
The following tips will help college-bound students and their families develop realistic expectations of the college prep process and college life in order for students to transition to college successfully. 

1. Take 15 minutes to write your expectations of the college prep process. Be sure to include your role in the process and your perspective of college life. Have your teens to take 15 minutes and write notes on the same areas.
2. Schedule time to share each other’s views and discuss any discrepancies. Parents, if you disagree with your teens, be sure to listen carefully before giving your opinion. 
3. Find people who have graduated from college to share their college experiences with you and your teens. If your teens know their desired career field, have them to meet with family members, neighbors, or local experts working in the same field.
4. Attend college prep events. There are a wealth of college prep events at your teen’s school, in the community, and online. Support your teen by staying aware of college prep events and attending these events with your teens.                                                                                     
5. In conclusion, a successful college prep journey has many different components that depend on families having the right views of preparing for college and the college setting. The right perspective can mean the difference between your teens securing scholarships and being able to enjoy their senior year of high school as compared to not being able to finance college and spending most of their senior year of high school frustrated. Make the decision today to get the right perspective and thrive in the college prep journey! 

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