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3 Topics to Discuss with College-Bound Students
The college fall semester is right around the corner and for most incoming freshmen it will serve as a maiden voyage for living away from mom and dad. If you're a parent who's facing this situation, here are three topics that are a must to discuss with your undergrad-to-be.
The pre-college to-do list is daunting to say the least. From setting up financial aid to securing a place for your child to live, getting ready for college is a process that takes many months to execute. As a result, there are several very important topics that many parents never get around to discussing with their child. Consider using the next few weeks to catch up on these conversations, establishing a line of communication that will benefit all concerned.
Study Habits and Grades
Most sources state between 20 and 25 percent of all college freshmen will drop out before their sophomore year. Furthermore, it is estimated that 50 percent of college freshmen will never make it to graduation.
There are many reasons why students drop out of college, but at the top of the list is poor grades, or an inability to adapt to the demands of an advanced curriculum. One can only wonder how many of these students would have benefited from the proper intervention early on in their college careers. In other words, now is the time to get the ball rolling.
Start by clearly establishing with your child that college will be a much different experience from high school, especially considering how far away you as the primary support system may be. An effective method for accomplishing this is allowing a peer to reaffirm the message. If you have friends or extended family with a child already attending college, arrange for your child to talk to them about their experience.
You'll also want to be clear with your child about what you expect and that he or she is still accountable to you for the grades received. Let your child know you'll want to see report cards, and that you'll be asking for updates on grades throughout the semesters.
It is so important for you as the parent to make the communication process an inviting one. Think of it this way. If your child ends up having an issue with a certain class, you'll want to know about it as soon as possible. Having open channels of communication will help facilitate this.
Lastly, take a proactive approach by encouraging your child to contact the college to inquire about any available study programs and student mentors. Many universities have programs like these in place, which help incoming freshmen adapt to their new academic curriculum.
Money
Addressing the subject of money with your college freshman is something that will benefit you for the next four years - and your child forever. Once again, the key is to be clear and direct regarding the money received from you, and how you expect it to be spent.
Whatever your arrangement, do not send your child to college without establishing a written budget. Show your child the fixed expenses in relation to the money you're providing. Explain that the money left over is what's allocated for fun and entertainment. Not doing so can result in endless requests for more money, not to mention a poor foundation for your child's future budgeting skills.
In terms of getting your child a credit card, proceed with extreme caution, as credit card debt among college students has become almost epidemic. According to Sallie Mae, a college financing company, the average credit card debt for college undergrads in 2009 is over $3,000, a thousand dollars more than it was in 2004. What's worse is that average balances are even higher for students in their third and fourth years of college.
Don't forget to warn your child about the high-interest cards that may be solicited to them while on campus. Talk about the responsibility that comes along with having a credit card, as well as the potential dangers. Let your child know that starting out in life with high interest debt is not the recipe for success.
Personal Responsibility
For the first time, your child will officially reach adulthood and be held accountable for everything he or she does from this point forward. The tricky part is your child won't be living under your roof while this is happening. Explain to your child that the idea of a "permanent record" is now in effect. How people handle themselves from this point forward will either positively or negatively affect the rest of their lives.
College can be a wonderful experience with infinite possibilities. Talk about these possibilities with your child, explaining the benefits that come with embracing them. Most importantly, let your child know that the next four years will contain some of the more memorable experiences of his or her life.
Here's to some positive memories for both you and your child. | 
