Parents and Mentors
Yes SICAN
Talking to Your Teen
It may not always be easy to talk with your teen. But you support is crucial to your teen throughout his or her college planning. Help your student organize the process, meet deadlines, and talk with the right people. Here are a few tips to consider:
Listen.
Be receptive to and listen when your teen wants to discuss career or college plans.
Explore.
Have your teen explore career and college options and collect as much information as possible.
Encourage.
Encourage your student to capture their ideas on paper. One idea is to create a scrapbook of his or her plans for career and college.
Be aware.
Be aware of various deadlines for college applications and financial aid. Put them on a calendar that is visible to both you and your teen.
Step in.
Suggest that your teen meet with a school counselor at least once a year, starting with his or her sophomore year, to learn more about college and career planning.
Be supportive.
Be supportive of your teen, and meet with his or her counselor if you sense that your student needs additional help.
Connect to career.
Encourage your teen by helping him or her see the connection between college and career success. Emphasize the importance of selecting a major that will help your student prepare for a career.
Research.
If your teen is undecided about a career direction, do not try to fix it. Let him or her look into all the possibilities.