As teens enter their senior year, it becomes more evident to their parents just how fast their children grow up and mature. Some parents are anxiously awaiting the day their teen moves on to college, and some parents are already beginning to mourn the impending empty nest. Nonetheless, it's important to put the feelings and emotions aside for now and work hard to help the graduate prepare for the big entrance into the college or career world. Helping your teen attend to this checklist during the last year of high school will help ensure they will graduate feeling prepared for the next step.
Set Goals. Besides graduation, what is the long term goal for life? Although many teens aren't quite ready to make final decisions about the future, they should at least have a direction or a possible goal in mind. Without a goal it's difficult to make a plan.
Make a Plan. After graduation, is there a plan to work in the career world or go to college or tech school? Having a plan in place helps the teen stay focused on the "to do" list for achieving their goal.
Know the Requirements. Check your transcripts. make sure that they have taken the appropriate courses or learned the necessary skills for life after graduation. If the teen plans to go to college, is there a particular class, test score, community service, G.P.A., or experience needed before attending college or interviewing for a particular type of position? Usually, the SAT or ACT tests are taken by the junior year, so if they have not taken the test yet, get them to sign up for the test. If attending a local community college, check to see if they have a placement test that can be taken in lieu of the SAT or ACT. Most importantly, check with the guidance department to be sure all the high school graduation requirements have been met.
Begin to Apply. If possible, start applying early for college. Many colleges have an early admission deadline-take advantage of it. Go online and get the college admission packages. Go to the guidance office and ask for copies of the high school transcript and review it for accuracy. Sign and pay for the necessary official transcripts to be sent to the college. (Many times colleges require official transcripts to be sent with an official stamp or seal.) Begin writing the college essays, proofread them, too. Better yet, ask some people with great writing skills to proofread them. Ask favorite teachers for letters of recommendation.
Start budgeting. Teens often have lofty goals after high school that can be quite expensive. If possible, get a part-time job and start saving money. Not only can life after college be expensive, but senior year can be quite pricey, too, with senior pictures, senior trips, class ring, prom, invitations, graduation parties, etc. Think about it on the outset and start planning. Start applying for scholarships or financial aid. If your state offers college programs, be sure to apply for those opportunities. Check into how to begin using and applying the pre-paid college plans that have been invested for all these years.
Senior year brings with it many emotions for both the parents and the students. As the last first day of school comes and goes, so will the last 'last' day of high school. It's what happens between that first and last day of senior year that could ensure success after high school. Parents, following this checklist might be your last chance to help them pave the way to life after high school and graduation.
About the Author:
Trish Zenczak, MEd.L, is a Certified Graduation and Leadership Coach and Professional Speaker. Sign up for her FREE "Graduation Checklist -Top 10 MUST DO's to Prepare for Graduation". You'll also be added to the special invitation list for free tele-seminars." at http://www.GraduationCoach.com. At age 16, Trish became a high school dropout. Later at age 17, while living on her own, she returned to high school, graduated in the top 5% of her class and paid her own way through college. Trish was a high school teacher in the public school system for 15 years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication from Florida Atlantic University and received her Master's in Educational Leadership from Lynn University. Throughout her career as a teacher and as a foster parent, she has had numerous opportunities to work with the "unmotivated and wounded" student. Her dream is to encourage, motivate and inspire students to become driven, self-advocating and responsible for their own success.
By Trish Zenczak
Set Goals. Besides graduation, what is the long term goal for life? Although many teens aren't quite ready to make final decisions about the future, they should at least have a direction or a possible goal in mind. Without a goal it's difficult to make a plan.
Make a Plan. After graduation, is there a plan to work in the career world or go to college or tech school? Having a plan in place helps the teen stay focused on the "to do" list for achieving their goal.
Know the Requirements. Check your transcripts. make sure that they have taken the appropriate courses or learned the necessary skills for life after graduation. If the teen plans to go to college, is there a particular class, test score, community service, G.P.A., or experience needed before attending college or interviewing for a particular type of position? Usually, the SAT or ACT tests are taken by the junior year, so if they have not taken the test yet, get them to sign up for the test. If attending a local community college, check to see if they have a placement test that can be taken in lieu of the SAT or ACT. Most importantly, check with the guidance department to be sure all the high school graduation requirements have been met.
Begin to Apply. If possible, start applying early for college. Many colleges have an early admission deadline-take advantage of it. Go online and get the college admission packages. Go to the guidance office and ask for copies of the high school transcript and review it for accuracy. Sign and pay for the necessary official transcripts to be sent to the college. (Many times colleges require official transcripts to be sent with an official stamp or seal.) Begin writing the college essays, proofread them, too. Better yet, ask some people with great writing skills to proofread them. Ask favorite teachers for letters of recommendation.
Start budgeting. Teens often have lofty goals after high school that can be quite expensive. If possible, get a part-time job and start saving money. Not only can life after college be expensive, but senior year can be quite pricey, too, with senior pictures, senior trips, class ring, prom, invitations, graduation parties, etc. Think about it on the outset and start planning. Start applying for scholarships or financial aid. If your state offers college programs, be sure to apply for those opportunities. Check into how to begin using and applying the pre-paid college plans that have been invested for all these years.
Senior year brings with it many emotions for both the parents and the students. As the last first day of school comes and goes, so will the last 'last' day of high school. It's what happens between that first and last day of senior year that could ensure success after high school. Parents, following this checklist might be your last chance to help them pave the way to life after high school and graduation.
About the Author:
Trish Zenczak, MEd.L, is a Certified Graduation and Leadership Coach and Professional Speaker. Sign up for her FREE "Graduation Checklist -Top 10 MUST DO's to Prepare for Graduation". You'll also be added to the special invitation list for free tele-seminars." at http://www.GraduationCoach.com. At age 16, Trish became a high school dropout. Later at age 17, while living on her own, she returned to high school, graduated in the top 5% of her class and paid her own way through college. Trish was a high school teacher in the public school system for 15 years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication from Florida Atlantic University and received her Master's in Educational Leadership from Lynn University. Throughout her career as a teacher and as a foster parent, she has had numerous opportunities to work with the "unmotivated and wounded" student. Her dream is to encourage, motivate and inspire students to become driven, self-advocating and responsible for their own success.
By Trish Zenczak
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