College Corner
Senior Calendar
HOW IS COLLEGE DIFFERENT FROM HIGH SCHOOL?
Senior Parent Questionnaire
SAT Q & A
SAT Test Tips
What Makes a Good College?
Financial Aid Information
How to Reduce Parental Stress
Rules versus Responsibility
Attending versus Succeeding
Teachers versus Professors
The Difference in Testing
The Difference in Grades
How to Make the Transition to College
10 TIPS TO REDUCE PARENTAL STRESS
DURING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
1. The most important thing you can do for your senior, and for yourself, is to find a comfortable balance between supporting him/her, and accepting that the student must take responsibility for being in charge of this process. The more initiative and follow through is shown by students, the more ready they will be to manage on their own next year.
2. Of course #1 is easier said than done. Ask your senior what you can do that would be most helpful, and least helpful. Then perhaps write down an informal “agreement” about what the student will be responsible for and what the parent will do to help, with completion dates.
3. Make sure that students understand that college application deadlines are REAL; a missed deadline may mean a missed the chance for a college, or a scholarship.
4. It’s much less stressful to start early (see Senior Calendar timeline).
5. Talk with your student about how much you can afford to pay, so that is part of their planning, rather than a crisis in April.
6. Procrastinators?
a. See article “Talking About College with Your Child”
b. Talk with your student to try to understand what is holding him (or less frequently her) back.
c. If they really don’t seem ready to go to college, “gap” year programs are becoming quite popular and well accepted by colleges. Talk to the counselor about them.
7. As an adolescent, your child may switch on and off from “I can do it myself” to “I need help” to “I don’t want to go to college at all”. This is typical for teens trying to assert their independence while also being somewhat afraid of change and the unknown.
8. Understand that there is not just ONE school this is perfect for your child. Life will not end if not admitted to their first choice, though for high achieving students, it may be extra hard because it is the first time they’ve ever “lost out.” Accept their disappointment, then support them while they figure out the next best option.
9. When the time comes, help with the final decision if they’re not sure. Help them make a comparison chart, ask questions that are important to you or them (e.g.,“Does the college have an internship program?”), and then be excited and proud about their final decision.
10. Remember to have some fun together, that doesn’t involve the “c” word. They are about to leave home and will not be in your company as often. Do things together that you will both remember fondly. Keep your sense of humor!
Comments or questions? isp@isp.edu.pa
Tel. (507) 266-7862 Fax: (507) 266-7808
P.O. Box 0819-02588 El Dorado Panama Republic of Panama.
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