College is a word that strikes both excitement and fear in the heart of many teens. Many are excited about the oppportunity to go to college in order to have fun, be independent, and get an education in a field which they have interest. And that may be your teen's order of interest: fun, independence, and then education!
Many teens become anxious when they think about college. They have worries about how college will be financed - which is a realistic worry for many teens and their families. And they also have worries about whether they can get into a college. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) becomes a worry for teens as they worry about how they will perform and if the score will be competitive.
One option that many teens do not often consider is the option of attending a college in their home community. By taking that option, they can help themselves and their families in many ways. I have known a number of teens who attend college locally for two years and live at home - by doing this, they save a great deal of money. They also have a secure environment in which to live while they develop the necessary study skills to help them be successful in college. Those teens then often transfer to a college away from home.
Many considerations come into play when thinking about college. Helpy our teen be thoughtful about the many factors that impact his decision.
Debra Atkisson, M.D.
Comments