College With Purpose - Picking What Meets Your Needs

"Do you want to attend college and which one?"

For some high school students, this stress-loaded question comes from well-meaning high schools, colleges, friends, and parents. How can they make such an important decision when they can't even remember to put the top back on the toothpaste!

Parents, before you speak with another college workshop representatives attempting to sway you to attend their schools, resist the urge to get caught up in the frenzy. Here are four key tips that can take some stress off your wallet, save time selecting a college and build a better bond between you and your soon-to-be high school graduate.

1. Listen to your child.

Every parent wants the best for their child and believes a higher education can do this, especially if they did not attend college themselves or had to stop due to a life event. However, when you ask your child the obligatory, "do you want / plan to go to college?" and they respond, "I don't know?" just take it in stride. Take a deep breath, count to 10 and leave the room, if necessary. Schedule a day when things are calm and reflect on all the activities your child was involved in. Were these extra-curricular activities driven by your decision or initiated by them? Did they really seem to enjoy them or simply cooperated just to keep you happy? This could be a key indicator of why they are unsure about making a decision about college.

2. Examine their high school transcript.

Standardized testing, GPA scores, ACT/SAT prep and all those class electives over the last four years are about to payoff. Every semester, your son/daughter sits with their school counselor to select their classes. Instead of being tyrannical about their grades, take an interest and find out why they chose certain classes beyond the core and listen for their level of interest. If they respond because their friends signed up, that's great. They are obviously still learning the skills needed for how to collaborate with others. Eventually, their interests will change and they will begin choosing classes independently. Until then, offer support and take mental notes about which classes they really enjoy.

3. Be wise where you spend your dollars.

Most large companies has a list of colleges they recruit from for top talent. If your child has an interest in one of the STEM careers, first research their "wish list" of companies, then attend a career fair at one of the local area colleges. This is a great way to speak with a campus recruiter on site to answer questions about their college recruitment program and learn more about the company. This will also help target which college workshops they should. If you are unable to attend a career fair, send an email to the company's campus recruiting department to inquiry if your college of interest is on their list to visit.

4. Accept and respect their decision.

If your child decides they want to attend a two-year college instead of a four-year out-of-state college, or stay nearby, respect and accept their decision. As a parent, this will save you valuable "wind shield time" from collecting them due to disciplinary actions or returning home because they are unhappy and didn't want to let you down. Besides, they will learn better work/study habits and maturity. And, mom gets to keep them in the nest a little longer.

If your child is still unsure, you might consider bringing in someone neutral like a life coach to help ease their decision-making skills and explore their personal path.

Whether they decide to pursue a career or entrepreneurship, selecting the right college with purpose is a positive move towards their personal and professional growth, and will help them build sustainable relationships in life.

E2S offers an Emerging Leaders program that works closely with high school and college students to develop their motivational mindset to achieve peak performance in their academic and personal lives. This will leave them thoroughly prepared for life beyond college. To learn more, go to http://www.engagetosuccess.com/planning.html

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