Has the time come for your child to fly the nest and decide if they are heading to university? If so, then it can be a tricky and terrifying time for everyone involved. When you have had your child at home with you for 18 years it can really hit home that they might leave sooner rather than later. However, rest assured that they are leaving to fulfil their passions and dreams in life. The most you can do is support their choices and help them with the journey they are about to start.
Career Choices
The first thing you should talk to your teenager about is what they hope to be when they are older. Be prepared that a lot of young adults don’t currently know what they want to be, so you might get an ‘I don’t know’ as an answer. However, if you are one of the lucky ones and your child has thought about what they want to be and which path to take then give them all the praise you can. It isn’t an easy decision to make and it’s even harder to follow that dream. If they are unsure what they want to be then take a look at their strengths, what are they good at? They might be good at drawing, so perhaps a career involving that.
Which Course?
Once you have found out what they want to become when they are older then you need to help them choose which route to go down. Sometimes there may be several routes to follow to become something, such as a midwife for example. If your child isn’t confident in themselves or their academic achievements then they might want to start right at the bottom and work their way up. Encourage this as it is something they have thought about and want to do, there is no harm in it. If you are unsure what course they need to be doing then a simple online search might help you with this. Once you have discovered what course they need to do, then begin the search for the right university.
What University?
This is a huge and important question. Depending on what your child is studying they could be stuck at their chosen university for up to five years. You both need to make sure that they are making the right decision and they are not choosing the wrong one. When shopping around for the best university make sure you go and visit them, go for a tour and make sure your child gets a feel for the place. They can look nice but feel completely different. Whichever one your child chooses, encourage them. Of course, if your child has friends who are also going to their chosen university then at least you know they will have great company and people to talk to.
Equipment Needed
Once everything is sorted and you have helped your child apply for their chosen university, it is a waiting game to see if they get in. Once the letters arrive, don’t pressure them into opening them, it can be a very nerve-wracking time.
Once the big reveal has happened and you both know where they will be going it is time to go shopping. The university might have included a list of all the equipment that is necessary when they head off to start their new venture. It might include course books that they will need and any other equipment such as laptops. Remember, this doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune. You can look online for course books, and if need be get them second hand. The university might also have a library so they can use those.
When it comes to shopping for laptops, you will need to check reviews and make sure they are suitable for use long term. The last thing you want is to get a laptop that only works for a year. Your child can encounter some common problems with laptops such as overheating when in use, this sometimes happens when they are trying to charge. Take a look at this article to get some tips and guidance.
Accommodation
Finally, the last thing to sort is accommodation. Your child needs to know where they will be staying when they attend university. If they are going to be studying relatively close to home, give them the option of staying and travelling each day. If this is not an option due to distance, then there are a few options when it comes to accommodation.
A lot of universities have dorm rooms on-site, be aware that these get snapped up pretty quickly. If your child wants to go for this option, make sure you book it soon. They could also stay in off-site student apartments. Speak to the uni who can give you a list of these properties. If your child is pretty good at looking after themselves then the final option is their own accommodation. They may need to get a part-time job to help pay for it but it will mean their own space and privacy to study and focus. Speak to your child and find out what they want to do.
