The college process can feel overwhelming, especially when students get a late start. From compiling a best-fit list to writing essays, there are many steps in the college application process. Consequently, we always encourage students to start early and build executive functioning skills that will serve them throughout college and beyond. While high school is undoubtedly a crucial time, there are several steps students and families can take to start preparing long before ninth grade.

Learn How to Have an Impactful Discussion About Saving for School

It may sound daunting, but it’s important for parents to discuss college costs and budgeting as part of the college search process . College is an investment and in order to feel confident and excited about your student’s educational choice, your entire family needs to be on the same page financially.

It’s only natural for teens to feel pressure when navigating the college admissions process – it is, after all, one of the biggest decisions many teens will have made up until this point. In the January newsletter we covered how to manage test anxiety, which is common among many teens taking the ACT or SAT in hopes of getting into their dream school. While testing anxiety can be crippling, the college preparation process extends beyond one Saturday morning test. Many students can feel overwhelmed going into the process, and the stress can cause problems with grades, family, friends, health, and more.

As a parent it’s hard not to want to play a major part of your student’s college search and application process. While it’s important to be involved in the process, there are some boundaries that parents of college bound students need to observe.