Your Parents’ Influence on Your College Choice
When it comes to making your college choice, it is inevitable that you will be influenced by many different people and factors. Chief among those people are your parents. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. A parent’s wealth of experience may be a great resource to you as you prepare to make this significant decision about your future. Still, many students and parents find themselves repeatedly butting heads when it comes down to making that college choice. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your parent’s input and avoid potential conflicts over your college choice.
- Talk to your parents about paying for college. Before you even start looking at colleges, you need to be clear on what your family is willing and able to pay for your college education. That way you will know how much of the cost you will personally be responsible for. With that info you can make a well-informed college choice.
- Do the research. Before you sit down with your parents to discuss which colleges you wish to apply to, make sure you have solid reasons why you have chosen those schools. The more you know about the academic programs and opportunities available to students there, the more likely your parents will be open to your choices - and be better able to give you helpful feedback.
- Listen with an open mind. Parents have often had life experiences that can be very valuable when it comes to making your college choice. Don’t be too quick to dismiss their insights and observations. Consider their concerns and viewpoint carefully as you make your decision.
- Keep your parents in the loop. If you let your parents know which colleges you’re considering, as well as the ones you may have taken off your list, you will have a better chance of avoiding unnecessary confrontations. Parents who are included in your decision making process have the potential to be a lot more helpful and supportive than those who are not.
- Be honest with yourself. In the end, your college choice is just that - yours. You are the one who will be attending that school and doing the work, not your parents or your friends. The more honestly you are able to look at your strengths, weaknesses, motives and aspirations - as well as the practicality of your choice, the better that college choice is likely to be.
