11 New Year Resolutions For Parents of Teenagers Applying To College

The new year is a time for fresh starts, and what better way to start the year off right than by making some resolutions for yourself as a parent of a teenager applying to college?

Here are 11 resolutions that will help you navigate the college admissions process with ease, and hopefully lead to your child thriving in the college they choose:


Encourage Independence: Support your teenager in taking ownership of the college application process. Allow them to make decisions, fostering confidence and self-reliance.


Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge milestones like submitting an application or drafting an essay. This builds momentum.


Prioritize Wellness: Encourage sleep, exercise, and downtime to help your teen stay focused and resilient.


Teach Time Management: Equip your teen with strategies to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and college preparation effectively.


Foster Exploration: Encourage your teen to dive into their interests and passions. These experiences can illuminate potential college majors and career paths.


Set Realistic Goals: Collaborate with your teen to set attainable goals for college applications. This fosters a sense of achievement and focus.


Maintain Positivity
Remind your teen that the college journey is about finding the right fit, not just getting into a prestigious school. Stay optimistic, even during setbacks.


Keep Communication Open: Discuss expectations, choices, and progress regularly. This ensures you remain a supportive partner in their journey.


Learn Together: Explore new colleges or financial aid resources as a family to create a collaborative experience.


Encourage Extracurricular Involvement: Participation in clubs, sports, or volunteering enhances applications and helps your teen develop skills and interests.


Stay Organized: Help manage application timelines by tracking deadlines, documents, and tasks with a shared calendar or checklist to keep the process running smoothly.


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