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Conversations
The Right Choice for Your Teen By Charlene Torkelson
Take a second look after your teen receives a "yes." Some colleges even offer weekends for groups of perspective students with free travel and food. Your child is assigned a stay with an actual student to get a feel for the campus life and determine if this is what was expected from the school. When asked by the college counselor what the determining factor was in making a final decision, one perspective student answered, "The food."
Boy: "Yeah, I was accepted to eight colleges, but I don't really have to make up my mind just yet. I can look at a couple of them over spring break and decide after that."
Girl: "I thought I had my mind made up as to what my criterion would be, but when it really got down to the final choice, I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be to travel so far away from home, so I am opting to stay just a little closer than I originally thought."
Things change. Her boyfriend in September may no longer be her boyfriend in June. The philosophy class he thought he'd love, he actually hates. That scholarship you were sure she would get went to her best friend instead. The ideal summer job fell through, and your teen had to take a part-time position at a fast food place, so he made less than you expected. Recognize that your teen's choices may change, and that may be OK. It may even be better. Do a lot of listening and talking to others to find out what they think that means parents talking to children and children talking to parents and friends. Have conversations.