If you have a teenager who is college bound, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the process of transitioning a dependent child into a self-sufficient student. While every teen feels that hitting their 18th birthday makes them an adult in every way, any parent can testify that the journey into adulthood is a long process. Heading off to college is often the first major step of the trip, and it takes a savvy parent to handle the situation.
Finances
Start your teen on the financial road to success by giving them fiscal responsibility as early as possible. New York University Medical Center suggests helping your child set up savings and checking accounts as well as teaching them how to develop and stick to a monthly budget. By learning to write checks and balance a checkbook while tracking and integrating debit card purchases into their bookkeeping, your teen will be establishing the skills they will need to become a financially solvent adult.
Organization
Heading off to college is a major move. Keep every step of the process organized by using calendars, bookmarks, files and to-do lists so that nothing important is missed. There will be deadlines for college applications, financial aid, housing and orientation; your teen will need lists of things to pack, things to buy and a wish list of things they'd like but are not necessary. It's important that as a parent you offer guidance rather than doing these things yourself, as your teen is going to need the same organization skills when they are living on campus and responsible for their own upkeep and class assignments.
Independence
Keep the lines of communication open, and learn to give your teenager the decision making when it comes to her future. While you may have had your heart set on having a doctor in the family, a student who loves art and music will balk at a pre-med major. An excellent choice is to offer her books on college, careers and aptitude tests in order to make informed decisions on curriculum choices. Likewise, if your student is determined to attend a college on the other side of the state rather than your own alma mater, suggest she make a list of pros and cons for various schools she is considering. While her ultimate choice may not be the one you would have made for her , it is vital that she learn the decision-making process and the consequences that may arise.
Stress
Heading to college may be extremely stressful--both for the parents and for the kids. According to FamilyEducation.com, it's important to talk to your teen and let him know that it's OK to feel nervous or scared about leaving home. Keep an eye out for changes in behavior that may be signals of stress, and talk openly to your teen about how stress can affect people and their feelings. Because you as a parent will most likely be feeling pretty stressed out over the process yourself, make a point to let your teen know how the change is affecting your own lifestyle.
Safety
Teens in general tend to think of themselves as invincible, and it's vital to your student's well being that she has firm guidelines in mind when it comes to safety. Ask your teenager to find a campus seminar that outlines the safety measures she should take as an independent young adult, and make sure she understands the importance of following the precautions recommended.
