High school is a transformative period where students not only discover their passions but also lay the foundation for their future academic and professional endeavors. The transition from high school to college is a significant step with numerous moving parts. Commencing college preparation early offers a plethora of benefits, including enhancing learning readiness, refining decision-making and organization skills, fostering self-awareness, and developing the ability to navigate challenges. Whether attending a public high school, charter school, private independent school, or a boarding school, a college prep curriculum adheres to specific academic standards.
One of the key advantages of initiating college prep early is the opportunity to become an active learner, cultivate core skill sets, and chart an academic plan during high school. Once students identify the classes they need to take, they can actively participate in class, cultivate effective study habits, seek support when needed, and meet the requirements for the college or university of their choice.
Parents often find it challenging to have their children heed another request, and this is where I step in! I proudly call myself a college prep nerd, having always enjoyed researching, organizing lists, and completing applications. As a first-generation American, I had to navigate this entire process on my own. My personal challenges, coupled with my experience as a high school college counselor, have equipped me with a profound understanding of college preparation. I am confident in guiding others as they prepare to embark on their next chapter beyond high school, both academically and personally. Having a teammate in this process is invaluable for guidance and accountability, recognizing that college prep is a gradual process and not a single event occurring just a month prior.
While it is natural for parents to go into protection mode when your child is feeling anxious, sometimes your efforts to solve their problems or avoid triggers of anxiety and engineer worry-free environments may exacerbate the problem.
What I’m telling you is, sometimes, it’s okay to choose yourself. In fact, I encourage you to do so. Let’s chalk it up to self-care. Setting boundaries is a form of self-care.
As an individual therapist, I can say with full honesty that I am not the perfect parent. But guess what? I don’t expect you to be either. My work comes from a place of constant learning rather than pure expertise.
