

Teach them how to handle money. This is one of the most important things you can do to set your kids up for success.So, try to have check-ins with your student along the way to make sure their plan still serves whatever their goal has become. This includes decisions like picking a school that has their interest of study (that you can afford without loans), choosing a major and understanding what further schooling, internships or potential careers look like, and encouraging them to try new things and get involved socially. Up until this point, most students have basically had their lives planned for them, so they’ll need your help thinking about the future, considering the consequences of their decisions, and mapping out how they reach goals. Well, they may not be itty bitty anymore, but this is still true: Your kids need a plan. And that direction helped them face the unknown with confidence.

With a little guidance from you, I’m guessing your child had a vague idea of what to expect: Arrive at school, learn in class, eat lunch, play, learn some more, and come home. A backpack that’s way too big bouncing on their backs. Have a plan (even if it’s a loose one). Remember when it was your kid’s first day of school ever? Those wide, excited (possibly terrified) eyes.Whether your family is just starting to talk college or your baby is heading off this fall, I’ve found that these three tips help set a solid foundation for your college student (and hopefully they’ll help you have some good conversations too!). So, what’s the sweet spot? How can you empower your student to feel the freedom they crave while still giving them the guidance they need? They don’t want to annoyingly overload them with life advice (cue the eye rolls), but they also know it’s their job to give guidance as their teens step into adulthood. I talk to a lot of well-meaning parents out there who have a hard time knowing how to best prepare their kids for college.
