College Readiness Tips
We’ve hit about midsummer, and some of us who tend to be planners are starting to look ahead to the fall.
There’s lots to be done, supplies to be bought, and perhaps even some tours and orientations happening.
Some older kids might be getting ready to head off to college next month, which is so exciting but can be nerve wracking as well!
How can you support your big kid while they are getting ready to live away from home for the first time, especially if they are feeling anxious about it?
Here are some tips!
Share your story!
Were you nervous the first time you moved out or when you left for college? Many people find this transition to be difficult. Let your teen know they are not alone, there will likely be tons of teens in the same boat as them, and what they are feeling is totally normal!
Affirm their strengths.
Of course, don’t minimize their worries or make them feel like they are invalid, but letting them know that you understand their concern, but you feel confident for them even if they may not can go a long way. Tell them you believe they will handle it better than they expect.
Reflect what they say.
Let them know you are truly listening and taking it seriously. They need to feel like you understand (or want to). Sometimes, there will be parts of their feelings that they are having trouble voicing. Read their nonverbal cues like body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, etc, and then say aloud what they may be having trouble saying.
Problem solve with them.
You don’t want to jump to just fix everything for them, but try to help them find solutions. Whenever they bring up a concern, try to come up with a plan about how to work through it together.
Validate their feelings, especially if problem solving is causing them to revert back to the voicing their concerns stage.
This is usually a sure sign that your kid needs space to vent and needs to feel heard, and might not be ready to move on to problem solving. Remind them that you are always there to support them.
Comfort tactics may help as well!
Try to help them come up with ways to ease their anxieties together. This could look like visits ahead of the start of the semester, talking about making friends, bringing along comfort items, frequent phone calls, and more. Your kid might just need this in the beginning while they are trying to settle into their new norm, or they may want this to be a habit that is formed. Either way, offering these options can help alleviate their worries.
If you feel like your child is having a difficult time managing their anxiety surrounding college, and you think they could use some more support getting through this new phase of life, reach out today to see how Amel Counseling & Consulting can support you!
