Top Tips for Parents of College Kids: How Can You Enhance Their Success?

Getting into college is one of the most critical moments of a teenager’s life, and for many parents, the lead-up of getting into a good institution can be a stressful time. Each year, more than 17 million people embark on their college journey, which is an experience that shapes them to become young adults and leads them into their desired career.

Students must make the most of their college life to enhance their future success, so it’s only natural as a parent to wish to be well-equipped with the necessary information to steer your child in the right direction.

Here are some useful tips to make a note of, if you’re a parent about to send your child off to college:

Talk them through the admissions requirements

Before applying for colleges, your child must be aware of which institutions they have a chance of being accepted into. Some colleges have higher grade boundaries than others, which means carrying out research beforehand is essential in finding out what is realistically achievable. Typically, college entry at Ohio state GPA, amongst many others, is based on the individual’s SAT score, ACT score, and GPA. It is a great idea to sit down with your child and calculate their average scores to determine which universities may be an option for them. This will give them goals to aim for and a clear focus when sitting their exams. 

Don’t pick your child’s course – but offer advice where possible 

Your child should be able to choose their course, so it wouldn’t be a good idea to overrule their course decision. They must pick a subject they are comfortable with and plays to their interests to succeed. It’s perfectly reasonable to voice your own opinion to help them make the best decision for their future goals, but they should have the final say on which course they wish to choose.

Encourage them to see their professor

Once your child has been accepted into college, they will be assigned a professor who they can turn to if they have any queries or issues. Many students ignore the opportunity to have regular meetings with their professors, which can be a huge mistake for their educational development. They may be struggling with lesson topics in the early days or find difficulty building on friendships with other freshmen, which is making them feel socially isolated. Encourage them to make an appointment with their professor to talk about any issues they have as soon as they arise. After all, you are paying the fees, so they have every right to make the most of this resource.

Do be aware that it is never good to phone the professor yourself. Unlike school where parents were entitled to get involved with their child’s education, this is very much discouraged in college. Students must stand on their own two feet to pursue their goals. In some colleges, there is even a ‘dean of parents’ with the principle aim of limiting parental interference.