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If your child has entered into their high school years, it is only natural for you to start thinking about what the next phase of their life after graduation will hold. Most parents in the United States have hopes that their child will attend college and earn a valuable degree that will set them up for the best chances at success later on in life.
Preparing for college, even if it is still four years away, is no easy feat. Aside from the growing pains associated with leaving home for the first time, your child’s specific ambitions might require them to work even harder in high school to achieve their dreams.
If you are looking for ways to help your child be as prepared for their college years as possible, here are a few things to bear in mind.
Set Realistic Goals
When your son or daughter starts their first year of high school, it is important to start discussions about what they want from their future. If they have ambitions of attending an Ivy League University, then they need to have the determination to maintain the highest of academic standards from the get-go. Extra-curricular activities will also be important in order to help your student stand apart from the crowd on their college applications.
Other goals that your child might have could include aspirations of being a college athlete at the NCAA Division 1 or 2 levels. Earning a spot on such a team is a competitive undertaking that a student athlete must be ready to work for.
While there are numerous ASM basketball scholarships available for various universities, they aren’t just handed out to every basketball player who wants one. Your child should be made aware of how difficult it can be to earn a place as a collegiate athlete and you should both be prepared for the challenges that will arise on the road to becoming one.
Bear in mind that goal can change as time progresses. Perhaps your child’s priorities will shift throughout high school. An area of study or a sport that they once loved might be replaced by another at some point later on. Keep an open line of communication available so that you can stay on the same page as your child’s dreams grow and develop.
Don’t Overlook Emotional Preparation
It is easy to get lost in the lists of extracurricular activities, advanced placement classes, and tutoring sessions that your child will be partaking in throughout their high school career. Nevertheless, try not to overlook the fact that there is a mass of emotions that you will both feel as the time for their first day of college approaches.
Try to take the time, especially during your child’s senior year, to talk through those excitements and fears that they might be feeling. The emotional demands of college life are nothing to take lightly, but with the right preparation, you can both be ready when the time comes.
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