Your child has worked hard and completed their high school diploma, congratulations! Now the next step of their journey begins. For some, that means college. But preparing for college shouldn’t happen when they finish high school or even during their senior year. Instead, parents can prepare their children for college years in advance.
Provide your child with some college-prep coursework during their high school years in your homeschool setting. This can include taking particularly challenging classes either in a co-op or online, reading difficult textbooks, or allowing them to branch out and independently explore topics of interest.
Since they’ll be learning from multiple teachers, get your children prepared to learn from someone other than yourself. Online classes are a great way to accomplish this while filling any learning gaps you may encounter. There are many classes to choose from in the virtual world, from foreign language and science to math and art history!
Use standardized tests yearly. Not only does this serve as documentation, but it makes an easier transition in preparation for the SAT or ACT and any college entry tests your child may need. It’s better to work out any “test anxiety” sooner rather than later!
Prepare your child’s transcript as you go. There’s nothing worse than waiting until the last minute with a deadline looming to write up your child’s transcript! Then, update it quarterly once your child starts earning high school credits for everyone’s peace of mind.
Please encourage your child to practice writing essays either independently or through a class. Let them build confidence by writing various essays they might encounter on college applications. This is a necessary preparation.
To put a perspective on higher education, don’t forget to visit college campuses! Help your child envision some of what this next life step will be like by touring prospective colleges and even sitting in on a class or two.
And last but not least, make sure they can manage the basics of life independently. Things like cleaning, laundry, and food preparation are best learned while still at home and not on their first day of being on their own!
These are just some things we’ve done to help our children be prepared for life past high school. What are some things you’ve done to help your children navigate the steps between high school and college?
