Though college may seem like light years away to your teenager, it’s important to begin talking to her about it now.
You don’t have to have the whole discussion all at once (it’s probably better if you don’t). If you have ten- or twenty minutes of uninterrupted time (while you’re in the car or washing the dishes together), try these conversation starters:
Ten-Minute Talk: College is Important to Your Future
- In college, you’ll learn skills that will help you find the best jobs and earn the best salary.
- You’ll earn about $1 million more with a college degree (over your lifetime) than you will with just a high school diploma.
- College grads are less likely to be unemployed.
- If your child askes, "Is college right for me?" Tell her that college means more than just money: it introduces you to ideas, people, and experiences that make your life richer.
Twenty-Minute Talk: College Will Happen if You Keep Studying
- Ask what courses your kid is taking this semester, and make sure he is taking an English, science, math, social science (government, history), and a foreign language. These are called the “core courses.” It is also good to take challenging classes, such as music or computer science. These are all very important for college admission requirements.
- Next semester, suggest she sign up for the most challenging courses—when you apply for college they will want to know how you did in these classes.
If you have a longer stretch of uninterrupted time (turn the cell phone and TV off and put pestering younger siblings to bed) you can explore more complicated topics:
Thirty-Minute Talk: College is Expensive, But We Can Afford It If We Work Together
- Thousands of students get need-based financial aid to help them attend college. Many more earn academic and talent-based scholarships.
- Read Pay for College or look at some Financial Aid Websites together to get ideas and start planning.