As the summer begins, high school seniors are celebrating their recent graduation and looking forward to weeks of relaxation and final adventures with their high school friends. In just a few months, they will be stepping onto campus and entering a new chapter.

Too many college students drop out in their freshman year because they are not academically, emotionally, or financially prepared for college life and adulthood. Whether students like it or not, college takes planning and preparation. Fortunately, there are things that parents can do to make sure that their child is ready for what will be one of the biggest transitions of his or her life.

Here’s a college readiness checklist to make sure your high school grads are prepared for what’s waiting for them on campus.

Arrange for them to speak formally to a recent college grad.

No one can give your child better advice than a family friend who has recently completed college and found a career in their chosen field. Encourage your child to speak with them about what it takes to be successful in college and what, if anything, they may have done differently. Have your child follow up on the meeting by writing a formal thank you note. You may gain insight by reading recent Missouri S&T graduate, Ashley-Ann Davis’ book about finding balance in college.

Teach them the ins-and-outs of their college finances.

Students are more likely to take college seriously if they understand how their college finances work. To show them the importance of making the most out of their education on a day-in, day-out basis, go beyond yearly tuition totals and review the cost breakdown of each individual class. Also show them the benefit that finishing on a timely basis will have on their long-term financial future. Could your student use some tips in managing their money? Steer them to the S&T Miner Money Management financial literacy program. Want to learn more about obtaining aid for college bills?  Student Financial Assistance has many resources for scholarships, grants, work study, and more.

Have them start building their network — now.

Some of the most important connections your child can make in college are ones that begin before they even set foot on campus. Encourage them to speak with their future roommate and other high school classmates who are attending Missouri S&T. Research available campus clubs and organizations your student may be interested in joining at Missouri S&T Campus Organizations and contact the student officers to answer any questions. And when your child arrives at school, urge them to be assertive about participating in activities and meeting new people. Use the Miner Network to connect virtually with Missouri S&T alumni, faculty, staff, and students about almost any topic of interest, from early career advice to job search assistance, and more.

Give them opportunities to practice critical thinking.

For instance, you could give them the opinion section of a major newspaper and ask them to take an opposing viewpoint to an article, even one they agree with. Doing college-level work requires more than just taking what you read at face value and memorizing a bunch of facts — students should practice thinking critically about what they see, hear and read. And, it will be good practice for meeting a variety of people with different viewpoints than your student may have been accustomed to.

Help them learn to manage their time.

Studies show that poor use of time, not lack of intelligence, is the leading cause of poor academic performance. Many students arrive at college not knowing how to manage their time effectively. Encourage them to use a digital calendar to keep track of appointments and deadlines. The S&T Student Success Center offers Student Success Coaches who can provide your student with tools for success in time management, study skills, and much more.

Make sure they get to know their faculty advisor.

Making big decisions like picking a major or following a career path can be daunting, causing students to delay in deciding as long as possible. Faculty advisors can help take the fear out of the process. Make sure your child develops a relationship with their faculty advisor as early as possible to ensure their choices are well informed. The S&T Advising Center will lay the foundation for an educational plan geared specifically for your student.

Show them how to use social media beyond photos on Facebook.

College-age students are among the most active users of social media, but how many are aware of the ways it can benefit them academically and professionally? Does their social media profile need any cleaning up to better reflect their new stage in life? Have your child talk with recent grads who have used social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to help build their academic network and market themselves as professionals.

Equip them with the right technology.

To succeed in college, students need technology that works with the latest tools and systems being used in the classroom. Only a few years ago, this simply meant buying the latest model laptop. These days, as colleges introduce more technology into the classroom, students are using a combination of devices — such as tablets, smartphones and e-readers — to stay on top of their coursework and connect with classmates. Check S&T’s Computer Recommendations before making any major purchases.

Help them practice some “adulting”.

Don’t overlook giving your student plenty of practice in living skills such as doing their own laundry, banking, making medical appointments, vehicle maintenance, and cleaning, for example. This is the perfect time for them to practice with the adults in their life coaching them along.

Source

Author of Article:  Jeff Livingston. Article adapted from Edutopia.org.  Please Note: Missouri S&T does not endorse or have a relationship with SOURCE and articles are provided for information purposes only.  Missouri S&T and SOURCE do not assume responsibility for error or omission in materials.  

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