The Parent-Student Relationship In College Searches

While venturing into the college search and admissions process with your child, it’s important to remember that they should be the leader of the team. Abandoning the idea that you must take care of your child throughout this process should be the first step of said process. These college oriented decisions are part of what will shape a child into an adult, meaning too much influence from their parents might not be the best thing. Understanding that, it’s difficult for parents to reach the right balance of being involved throughout the process. Playing the support role is most advised, which means offering guidance but not demanding a certain outcome. The first step in supporting a child throughout this process is having an honest conversation about the cost of college and the amount of financial support that they can expect. As many families are not prepared to meet the costs of college on their own, it’s important these conversations are had early to set expectations for a child. Financial troubles should never hold back a child from their dreams. To learn more about the ways in which parents can help their children throughout the college search process, such as helping with financial aid applications, be sure to read on to the resource paired alongside this post.