COLLEGE..
LET’ S TALK
Okay family, it’ s finally almost time … after all the years of tears, diapers, whining, scrapes and slobbery kisses … it’ s time to get PooPoo ready for college. She is just 16, I know it seems like just yesterday that you were clapping and hollering,“ YAAAYYY YOU WENT POTTY!” Well, now is the time to get ready because the next two years will fly by and neither of you will be ready for senior year.
First of all, Mama, be REALISTIC. Every child will not go to college and if you force her to – she will most likely fail. Who needs that type of pressure and anxiety for either of you? Then, realize that PooPoo is a good student, but she is not a genius. If the grades are“ okay” or“ pretty good” – meaning anything less than 3.5, she should not be shooting for Ivy League – it is unlikely that she will get in, which will leave her feeling rejected. If there were behavioral problems or a lack of extracurricular activities, the schools will say,“ No thanks.” So, be honest with yourself and your baby. You are getting her ready for real life and real life does not see her as your baby.
Second, make her a part of the process. Talk to her, find out what she wants to do and where she wants to be in 5 years. DO NOT FORCE HER TO GO TO THE SCHOOL THAT YOU WANT. Help her look up schools online and set up tours if possible, even if they are schools that you have never heard of or are entirely across the country. Look into these schools together. Discuss them and pick the best 3 – 5 that would make sense for her.
COLLEGE..
LET’ S TALK
Third, start saving. Set aside a few bucks a week or a set amount a month simply for this process. Every college and university has application fees ranging from $ 20- $ 100. There are also costs for the travel to go and check out the schools. Plus, there will be several different fees once Poo gets accepted to one of the schools. Yes, even though she might get grants and / or scholarships, there will be out of pocket costs. There is a cost to reserve her spot in the dorm if she stays on campus; the books will have to be paid for before the financial aid kicks in; and she will need a list of things to take to campus with her. I would suggest having $ 200- $ 1500 simply to get her settled in and on her way. I know it’ s a lot, but you can do it. She deserves a shot at a better life.
Finally, prepare her mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Pray that God gives you the right words to say and that she has an understanding ear to hear. This will be PooPoo’ s first time away from home, her family, and everything she knows. That alone can take a toll. College life is fun, scary, exciting, and hard all at the same time. Encourage her to live life to the fullest, but be careful not to overindulge. Let
By Tanya Elzy