As I write this, thousands of kids nationwide are graduating, including tiny kindergarteners headed to elementary school, anxious middle schoolers worrying about walking high school halls, and seniors bursting with excitement to take on their next adventures.
This summer, we’re not celebrating graduation, but we’re certainly celebrating our daughter’s successful completion of her junior year. Whew! It was a hard slog for her with math tutoring, AP exams, state testing, SATs and ACTs, plus her rigorous daily school and life schedule.
We’re all glad to see that pressure-filled year go, but now that her senior year is around the corner, there’s a lot to do, a lot to look forward to, and the culmination of many unknowns, like her college destination, will be revealed.
Thankfully, she’s known that college was her post-high school track, so we’re grateful that one big decision was made. The college entrance game has drastically changed from 10 years ago. Skyrocketing costs and the extreme admissions criteria are the two most significant differences.
Now, if your child is interested in college, gone are the days of a leisurely summer spent between the junior and senior years, especially if their heart is set on a top-tier school. Incoming seniors spend big portions of their summers prepping entrance essays, volunteering, working and touring college campuses.
It’s a lot for a 17- or 18-year-old to take on alone, even if they’re motivated and independent. As parents, we can support them in several ways while letting them lead the effort.
What Parents Can Do to Help Prepare for Senior Year
1. Confirm GI Bill benefits: One of the best perks of military service is the opportunity to pass along GI Bill benefits to dependents to help them fund college expenses. However, there are timely administrative tasks the service member must take care of. I’ve asked my husband to triple-check GI Bill eligibility and transfer steps — all seems well for now, but it’s not an out-of-sight, out-of-mind topic for me. I’ll continue to check in.
2. Discuss college financing: College dreams are sometimes dashed by unaffordability. When your senior is researching schools, always encourage them to look at the price tag. The school’s website is the best place to start. It lays out everything from total costs to merit- and need-based scholarships and other financial aid for military-connected students, like the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program. There are also many scholarship opportunities for military students.
Keep in mind that to stay on track during a busy year, it’s a smart idea for parents to familiarize themselves with the government’s student loan program over the summer. Many schools require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, even if you don’t intend to use loans.
3. Plug into your school’s senior class resources: Your child probably doesn’t need you to be the room parent or the field trip chaperone anymore, but if you connect with your school’s senior class resources, you’ll stay up to date with not only crucial information like upcoming SAT dates but also with the fun things like senior pictures and the end-of-year graduation bash. This may be your last opportunity to volunteer!
Many high schools have robust college and career planning centers. Take advantage of these resources and schedule appointments with counselors and other post-graduate professionals.
These are easy ways to stay informed:
- Bookmark the senior class page on the school’s website
- Follow parent pages on Facebook and Instagram
- Sign up for the college center’s or counselors’ emails and newsletters
- Join senior or military kid committees within the PTA/PTO
These are, of course, practical tips for helping your new senior plan for life post-high school, but remember to leave a lot of room for you and your child to wrap your arms around the emotional ups and downs the year will bring. Change and transition require courage and understanding from everyone.
When my kids were graduating, I volunteered for “Project Graduation.” It was a lock-in grad party at the school hosted by parents and funded through fundraising through the graduation year. Each graduating class would leave the left-over funds for the following class. It was a great way to show my graduate my appreciation for their desire to stay alcohol/drug free on the deadliest night of the year for seniors. Check with your school district to find out if they support this program. If not, reach out to the PTA and suggest they start. Here’s some info on the program:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Graduation
Hi Troy, thanks for sharing!