Parents/Family

Why They Should Go

Helping a child get more education is the greatest gift you can give. Today, education beyond high school is practically a necessity to build a better life. Whether it’s a college degree, or a trade or technical certification program, more education opens doors to more opportunities.

If you are like many parents or caregivers, you might have concerns about whether your child should pursue education beyond high school. That’s natural. But confront your concerns head on, and they will seem much more manageable. Please visit our Q&A section for more information.

What You Can Do To Help

Any support you can provide in your child’s quest for more education will be a huge help. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Take an active role in your child’s scholastic activities. Make sure they get all of the resources they need to apply to college. Communicate with your child’s school and make sure to engage with the teachers/counselors in your child’s school. Let them know that you support your child’s educational goals and ask for their help and support, too. Check out our Teachers/Counselors section for key links.
• Set realistic academic expectations. Monitor your child’s schoolwork habits and performance and let him know that you expect him to work hard and challenge himself.
• Be his biggest cheerleader. Healthy self-esteem is so important to a child’s success. Your praise and approval are critical. When you celebrate his accomplishments, he sees that you’re always paying attention, not just when he falls short.
• Introduce her to the world of work. Many kids worry that they shouldn’t continue their education after high school because they haven’t decided on a career. Let your child know that that’s perfectly normal. At the same time, help her understand what it means to have a job and a career.
• Help him pursue his interests. Colleges like to see activities outside of school on student resumes. These activities can also help your child discover subjects that might interest him in college and maybe point to a career. Encourage him to try any positive activity that truly interests him, and provide any support you can to help him stick with the ones he really loves.
• Be her sounding board. From choosing a school, to coping with test anxiety, to keeping her grades up, she has a lot to deal with on her path to continue her education. Keep the lines of communication open.
• Do the grown-up stuff. There are some things that only you as an adult can do. One example might be promptly filing your income taxes in January of your child’s senior year or starting a savings account for your child’s college education. That way you can work together to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible. Another would be chaperoning him to out-of-town college visits.