I worked in higher education for over 20 years. In my various roles, I spoke at countless recruitment events, read hundreds of essays, and reviewed numerous transcripts, but over the past two years, I got to experience the process from the other side.
As a parent with a background in academic advising and student life, I felt confident that my perspective would be valuable, but I quickly realized that it was essential to develop a few strategies (and even make a few rules for myself) to ensure a fruitful visit.
BEFORE your college visit:
It is important to visit a college while classes are in session.
As soon as you have a date for a visit, reserve your spot for a tour and an information session.
THE DAY OF your college visit:
Leave early to get there early.
During the tour, stay near the front.
If you get an opportunity to eat in the dining hall, take it.
Teens WILL cause you discomfort. Perhaps in the form of a snarky comeback, an indignant eye roll, or narrowly missing a parked car while learning to drive. Oh my goodness, the fights that erupted in the front seat of my Mazda when my oldest had his permit, often right after my life and his passed before my eyes. As a parenting coach, educator, and mental health therapist, I often remark that a secret ingredient to raising healthy teens is increasing one’s tolerance for distress — at the parent level. Yes, you read that right. A lot of doing this parenting thing well comes down to learning to manage your own discomfort.
Reduce stress with a clear plan for each semester (grades 9–12) to help your teen find colleges that are an academic, social, and financial fit.
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