20 Ways Parents Can Prepare Their High Schoolers for College

1. Make sure all of your high schooler’s credits are correctly notated on their transcript.

This is crucial! This free resource will give you more information about how to properly track credits, and how to create a quality transcript.

2. If your student wants to go to a traditional college, make sure that they are able to meet the requirements of that particular school.

It is especially important for homeschoolers to make sure they have all of the right “boxes” checked! This article will give you some insight into evaluating college requirements for homeschoolers.

Homeschool student athletes should also be aware of any special requirements. Visit the NCAA website for more information about homeschoolers wanting to get involved in college sports.

3. Make sure that all of your student’s SAT or ACT testing plans are set.

You don’t want to fall behind on crucial requirements! However, here is a great article about whether or not your high schooler actually has to take the SAT or ACT tests.

Some colleges are starting to opt out of this testing requirement. Read more about whether or not your student needs to take the SAT or ACT tests here.

4. Enroll your high schooler in dual credit college courses, so that they can get extremely low-cost college credit while still in highschool.

Did you know that you can save thousands of dollars by having your high schooler earn college credit in high school? These “dual credits” count for both high school and college credit. Learn more here about how you can take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

5. Make sure that all of your high schooler’s dual-enrolled credits will transfer to the college of their choice.

You don’t want any surprises when it comes time to transfer! Has your student taken any college level exams? Here is some valuable information about CLEP and DSST credit transferability.

6. Encourage your high schooler to create a budget.

Creating a budget will help your student learn financial responsibility, and be able to better handle the expenses that accompany getting a college degree.

7. Help your student find a checking and savings account provider that gives benefits to students.

Consider your own bank or perhaps a credit union. Many of them offer fee-free accounts for students.

8. Encourage your student to put aside money each month towards an “educational expenses” fund.

It’ll surprise your teen how much they can save by putting aside money each month! This money will come in handy in college, as they pay for car repairs, furniture, rent, etc.

9. Teach your high schooler how to cut coupons.

Your teenager will thank you when they have to buy their own groceries! Here are some great couponing tips.

10. Encourage your high schooler to pay with cash.

Paying with cash not only helps you keep better track of what you spend, but helps you to spend less!

11. Have your high schooler create one week’s meal plan and grocery shopping list for the family, and then send them to buy the items. Give them a reward if they can stay within a challenging budget.

This will help them practice for when they have to take care of their own meals!

12. Encourage your high schooler to make a resume.

This will help them be familiar with the resume-crafting process for future pursuits, and will give them something to readily hand out should they apply for a college internship, job, etc.

13. Have your high schooler take the Myers-Briggs personality test.

Taking the Myers-Briggs personality test will not only help them understand their own personality, but will help them learn how to relate to people with incredibly different personalities than their own.

14. Help your student develop good people skills.

You aren’t born with good manners and people skills, so it’s imperative for teens to learn these skills as early as possible. Take a look at this excellent list of 17 verbal habits of highly likeable people.

15. Have your high schooler hone their writing skills in order to prepare for more difficult writing assignments at the college level.

Your students may find college level writing a challenge. Here are some tips that can help them make the transition.

16. Have your student register at Bed Bath & Beyond or another home goods store for their high school graduation gifts.

Forget useless trinkets–your teen will get bedding, kitchen utensils, and other necessary items for their college life!

17. Encourage your teenager to find some ways that they can freelance over the internet in their spare time.

Have them visit sites like Upwork and Freelancer and learn how they can offer services like copywriting, web designing, graphic designing, etc., and set their own hours and rates. This will help them (flexibly) make money while in high school or college!

18. Have your student read key books that will prepare them for “real world” experiences and challenges.

Some excellent books for students include “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (by Dale Carnegie), “The Case for Christ Student Edition” (by Lee Strobel) and “Life Without Limits” (by Nick Vujicic).

19. Teach your high schoolers the importance of humility.

This is probably one of the most important character traits they can ever develop. As they grow older and experience life’s joys and triumphs, cultivating a spirit of humility will help them keep a correct view of life’s meaning and purpose.

20. Encourage your student to cultivate meaningful relationships that will extend into their college and adult years.

Learning how to invest in people is a valuable skill. Your student will need many quality friendships (both peer and mentor relationships) when they transition into adulthood.

Strategize with your teenager about how they can strengthen their relationships with their friends and family, so that they’ll have a great foundation when they start college and get even busier than they are currently.

No matter where your high schooler is at in their high school education, and no matter their level of preparedness for college, these tips will help them be well prepared for the transition into the college scene!