College Transitions

Applying to College
Whether your child is a junior in the throes of exploring colleges or a senior in the heat of last minute applications or contemplating a gap year, thoughts of what to do after graduating from high school can be stressful. Over the years, BHS Peer Leaders have put together some excellent tips for parents. 

Resources for college applications:
College Acceptances and Rejections
No one prepares you for the period between April 1st and May 1st, when students deal with the roller coaster ride of college acceptances and rejections, often necessitating  one of a student's most difficult decisions to date. Read the recommendations of BHS parents who have survived this tricky process.  And this article from Atlantic Monthly makes a good case against the video acceptance posts. 
Sending Kids to College: Medical Independence
Preparing to send your child off to college is a complex process that involves a lot more than packing up supplies and setting up their dorm room.  This is a time for continued guidance to help your child become more independent.

​One very important way to set up your student for a healthy college career is by preparing for their medical independence. Dr. Anjini Virmani offers two tip sheets – one for students, one for parents – that outline critical information about student health as they transition to college, from consent issues to health insurance guidelines and helpful resources. 
​
Also, check out THE 25 THINGS A TEEN NEEDS TO KNOW
​BEFORE LEAVING HOME
The Other Talk
We work hard to help our teenagers get into college, focusing on all the appropriate course work, the standardized tests, the dreaded essays and application forms.  And we talk about responsible behavior when they leave home – studying hard, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, spending wisely.

But have we effectively prepared them well for the complete change in social culture they are likely to encounter? Weekend parties, marijuana use, and binge drinking are the norm at many colleges, and impressionable freshman are especially vulnerable to risky behavior. Check out this helpful Parent Update for having "The Other Talk."
Limiting Communication When Your Teen Leaves for College
When high school grads plan their great exodus from home, they often embrace the relative freedom from parental intervention college represents. But in the age of the electronic tether, they might be in for a big surprise.  Using cell phones, texting, Skype, email, and every new technological advice available, parents and their college students are staying connected at unprecedented levels. And it’s not always a healthy thing.

"Empty Nest Syndrome" can also be a real kicker for unprepared parents. Mass.gov offers some helpful insight to prepare in advance and thrive.

"Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years" is an excellent book as well.
College and the Culture of Binge Drinking
According to a recent government study, 39% of college students binge drank during the previous month. It's a troubling trend that sets young people up for a wide range of risky behavior and dangerous consequences, from sexual assault and date rape to accidental injuries and car crashes. 

Visit the NIH's College Drinking: Changing the Culture website for more information on the drinking culture on college campuses. ​
Mental Health in College
The stress and workload of college can sometimes trigger mental health concerns in young people, and being in a new situation often makes students hesitant to seek information and support. Check out Online College's "Critical Mental Health Resources for College Students," which provides an introduction to some of the major common mental health issues students might face along with links to resources in each state.

Affordable Colleges Online also offers a "Student Mental Health Guide."  ​Also, NAMI has a terrific guide on college and mental health that is well worth reading. It can help families know what to do if a student away from home develops emotional distress or a mental health condition, or if an existing condition worsens.
Teens and Money Management
By the time teens are ready to head off to college, parents have undoubtedly had many discussions about the basics of financial responsibility. But it can get more complicated when a teen is truly away from home and a bail-out is much further away than mom and dad's wallet. Check out this "Banking and Resources Savings Guide for Teens." Beyond the implied message that every teen needs a credit card is a wealth of valuable information and eye-opening resources. Also check out Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority for info on paying for college.

Additional Reading & Resources

Helpful Websites: ​
Downloadable Resources:
Books: