Kids Are Our Future

I think most of parents want their children to go to a college and most the children want to go to a college themselves. We would like to discuss how to prepare for college in next several posts and to answer several questions most parents and students have, such as “why go to college? “, “how to prepare academically for college?”, “how to prepare outside the classroom for college?”, “how to choose a college?”, “what are the most common sources of scholarship?”, “what are the most common sources of financial aid?”, “how to prepare for SAT?” and so on.

By attending a college, a student can acquire more knowledge and skills, which lead to more opportunities to success for lifelong growth.

What kind of knowledge and skills?
A college education helps a student acquire a wide range of knowledge, as well as advanced knowledge in the specific subjects he or she is most interested in. It also increases the student’s communication, logic thinking, problem-analyzing, problem-solving skills, which are essential to succeed in work and ordinary life. In college, by guidance of great mentors and advanced education environments, a student can discover new areas of knowledge, and improve creativity. Well educated people usually are more open-minded and ambitious to pursue good health, knowledge, ability, and large capacity for usefulness in the world.

What are the possible opportunities?
Knowledge is the power. The one who has more knowledge, who has more capability to learn new knowledge and new skills is more competitive and can have more opportunities to success in life. We can think that getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime. College graduates have more jobs opportunities, more opportunity to make more money, more opportunity to serve the community and the world, and more opportunities to succeed.

Getting a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working together, it provides knowledge and skills students will use for the rest of their lives as well. We suggest setting up a calendar with all the various tasks and deadlines, which can be very helpful for college preparation.

Parents should help children to be very well prepared physically, mentally, academically and financially.

Be prepared physically

Good health increases efficiency. Encourage the child to exercise regularly, which can reduces stress, helps the child rest better, sharpens his or her mind, and improves his or her performance.

Be prepared mentally

The success of a student in a high school and college is largely dependent on emotional maturity, mental toughness and sound values, which are fundamental for college preparation. A child will soon be off to college and experience a wide range of emotions. Most college students are living away from home for the first time, it is important that parents help the children to ensure that they are dealing with their stress in a healthy manner. Successful students are those who aim high and have the motivation and self-control to continue working hard in spite of the emotional ups and downs with confidence, patience and persistence.

Be prepared academically

Preschool
It is never too early to prepare for college. In order to best prepare the children for future academic success, it is really important in giving the children a good educational foundation during the preschool years, which will need to reach their academic potential in later years.

Elementary and Middle School

• Discuss career and college options with the child, make him or her think big about his or her future and nurture him or her to love learning.
• Encourage the child to challenge him or herself academically, develop good study habits, and try his or her best to get good grades.
• Make sure the child starts on a college preparatory track, if students do not take the right courses in middle school, they may affect their high school performance.

High School

• Meet with a guidance counselor to map out the child’s high school curriculum.
• Help the child take the right high school courses based on the type of college he or she wishes to attend.
• Encourage the child to maintain good grades throughout high school experience.
• Help the child prepare college required test, standardized tests such as SAT, ACT.

Be prepared outside the classroom

Social and leadership skills, interests and goals are all important for college preparation. Extracurricular activities, work experience and community service will all help the student develop the skills, interests, and goals, and help him or her stand out.

Be prepared for college admission process

Help the child research colleges and narrow down options
Help the child to decide on the right college by researching the school’s curriculum, the size of the school, the type of school, and a school’s affordability. If possible encourage the child to campus visits.

Assist the child in admission application
Help the child obtain and complete admissions applications, ask the high school guidance counselor for help if needed. Assist the child with essays and preparing for admissions interviews.

Be prepared financially

Learn scholarships and financial aid
Most financial aid comes in the form of grants and scholarships or low-interest loans. The federal government, states, colleges, and private organizations all sponsor student aid programs. In addition, many books and websites are available to help parents and students search and apply for private scholarships.

Make a plan to pay the college
Make a realistic budget with the child and determine how much will be covered by financial aid, how much parents will provide, and how much the child will contribute by working and/or borrowing.