How Soon is ‘Too Soon’ To Talk about College?
For successful students, the answer can be, ‘it’s never too soon.’
Parents and educators will often say they do not want to bring up college ‘too soon’ with their kids and students. They are concerned that it will put unnecessary pressure on them, or they believe that students will figure it out on their own when they are ready.
These long-held mindsets are unlikely to change, but they do not serve all students well. By senior year, a student’s profile should not resemble the blindfolded game of ‘pin the tail on the donkey.’ That is, it should not consist of a mish mash of poorly chosen classes that do not demonstrate a student’s strengths and abilities, nor should it be coupled with a laundry list of activities, some of which did not last very long.
This kind of profile can leave a student fraught with worry that they haven’t done enough let alone the right things, especially when they open college applications and learn what schools expect to find.
Because we know what those expectations are, it is essential that we help students create a college-bound strategy from the beginning of their freshman year. With a well-planned approach, students can wisely select classes that underline their academic strengths and demonstrate a willingness to be challenged, and they can focus on activities that highlight their interests, passions, commitment, and leadership.
Having a strategy on how to approach high school is similar to taking a family road trip. While sometimes it is fun to not have a plan, we wouldn’t necessarily jump in a car loaded with kids without carefully choosing routes, things to see and do, and where to take breaks, eat, and stay. (Just think of the chaos otherwise!)
A long-range view of high school can do the same for students. By removing the blindfold and helping them to see where to stake their interests, students are given a clear road map of ‘how to get there,’ and high school becomes four years of consistent growth towards a destination of higher education.
