IN Sewickley Summer 2016 | Page 17

INDUSTRY INSIGHT M EDUCATION SPONSORED CONTENT It’s Graduation Season: Here are a Few Tips for Connecting With Your College-Bound Senior ost college-bound seniors have finalized their choice for college. Not coincidentally, this is also the time when most seniors begin—if they haven’t already—to pull away from their family. Even when your child seems to be shouting, “I can’t wait to get out of here,” try to find opportunities to express your unwavering love. Acknowledge special attributes and qualities, which can provide a much-needed ego boost. This natural and understandable attempt on the young person’s part to individuate can cause immense pain and confusion for family members who are about to be “left behind.” Nevertheless, these last precious few months of family time together can also be a time of laughter, remembrance, and reconnection. While there may be no overt signs of fear, uncertainty, or confusion about this life passage, you can be sure that your child is experiencing those feelings to some degree. Model some of the life skills you hope your child will deploy as he or she goes off to college, and continue to talk with enthusiasm and optimism about the many new, exciting opportunities. Find moments to discuss some of the inevitable fears of the unknown and share personal memories of times when you struggled with new experiences and challenges. If your child is the youngest or an “only,” be careful that he or she doesn’t sense that the “empty nest” is going to be a miserable, meaningless place for the parent(s) left behind. This can saddle your child with an undue burden of guilt, and, in extreme cases, can contribute to the phenomenon of “flunking out to save Mom/Dad.” Technology makes it easy to learn about the daily life your child will soon experience. Read some issues of the college’s newspaper, which will give you a sense of burning issues on campus, special events, and opportunities. Information gleaned from the college’s website can lead to some great conversation starters. Many colleges post available on-campus jobs. Invite your child to look at these. This is a good time to discuss your expectations about a part-time job to cover personal expenses and/or contribute to tuition. Again, share your own experiences. Familiarize yourself with the services of the student counseling center and encourage your child to seek out its services for any behavioral or emotional struggles (including drug and alcohol abuse). Reports indicate that record numbers of college students are experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Whatever the case, your child can only benefit from hearing that asking for help is positive and proactive. Putting together a photo scrapbook of your child’s life with comments and reflections can be as meaningful for your child as it is for you. Whenever possible, find moments to laugh with your child and seek comfort and consolation from friends and relatives who know what you are going through. Develop a personal prayer or mantra that you say to yourself several times a day, which can bring reassurance now and in the years ahead. Remember, it does get better! NICHE.COM RANKS SA #1 Niche.com ranked Sewickley Academy the Best Private High School in the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The Academy is also ranked No. 1 in the Pittsburgh Metro Area for Best Private School Teachers, Private High School College Readiness, and Private High School with Best Academics. View the Rankings: https://k12.niche.com/sewickley-academy-edgeworth-pa/rankings/ EXPLORE: WWW.SEWICKLEY.ORG | CALL: 412-741-2235 EMAIL: [email protected] Sewickley | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 15