Is my teen ready to be a college student? In our area of Georgia, the desire for students to get into amazing colleges is something that is at the top of parent’s minds. Parents choosing “the right school zone” to get their kids registered in a great elementary, middle, and high school district and zone is a primary concern. On top of the right district and school zone, parents try to make sure the extra-curricular options are going to set their kids up for successful acceptance into amazing universities. However, one question we want to explore today is: What does my teen need to be ready for college success?

Academic Considerations for a College Student

Academic and Extra-Curricular considerations are very important in helping your teen get ready for college. As a former employee at a prestigeous university, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), I have worked with thousands of college students. Here is a beginning list of considerations for getting accepted into amazing universities:

• Excellent GPA.
• AP Classes with 4’s and 5’s on exams.
• Strong letters from teachers about the character and academics of your student.
• Participation in school clubs that align with the major the student wants to choose in college.
• Participation in a sport, band, theater, cheerleading, etc.
• Hold a part-time job while managing academic and extra-curricular activities.
• Standardized Test Scores (ACT or SAT)
• Class Ranking
• Awards and Honors

Each of these items is important for seeking acceptance into a great university.

Emotional and Relational Needs for a College Student

Outside of the “name, rank, and serial number” items listed below, college success stories are also rooted in emotional intelligence, time and task management, and relational development. Here are a list of 10 ways your student needs to be prepared for success once they are admitted into college.

• Self-Awareness: Understanding their personal strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and values to make informed decisions and manage behavior.
• Emotional Regulation: Ability for the student to manage and express emotions constructively, particularly under stress or in challenging situations.
• Empathy: Recognizing and understanding the feelings and perspectives of others. This will help the student to foster healthier relationships and develop the ability for successful collaboration.
• Interpersonal Communication: Students develop effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including active listening, clear expression, and constructive feedback.
• Conflict Resolution: Successful students develop skills to address and resolve disputes or disagreements in a healthy and constructive manner.
• Time Management: Balancing academic responsibilities, social activities, and personal time efficiently.

Here are a few more college student success items

• Resilience: Students who spend time with an adult to work on developing the capacity to recover quickly from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep moving forward despite challenges are often more successful at college.
  • Learn from Failure
• Relationship Building: Creating and maintaining positive, supportive relationships with peers, professors, and mentors is essential for academic success as well as deveoping relationships that can lead to landing their first job right out of school. Recent statistics show that 70-80% of jobs are never posted because they are created by knowing someone that can meet a felt need in the organization.
• Self-Advocacy: College students need to learn to develop the ability to identify personal needs and seek out resources or support when necessary. Being away from home for the first time, while in college, is a time that students will need to utilize the skills of self-advocacy that they developed while at home during their high school years.
• Stress Management: Practicing stress management techniques while in high school is essential. In college, students will need to utilize these strategies to cope with stress, such as mindfulness, exercise, and seeking help when needed.

What Role Do Professional Counselors Play in Student Development?

Counseling is a necessary element of college student development. Counselors, like athletic coaches or band instructors, are uniquely equipped to help your student develop the necessary skills for success in life. Professional Counselors work toward your students specific goals and help them develop a path toward their future. Professional counselors who work from counseling theories can help your student identify their own weak areas at need development.

The ability for your student to learn to identify their growth areas will serve them well when they have left home and need to identify what areas are getting in the way of their success. Counselors are trained to teach your college student learn how to get out of their own way.

About Us

At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Life Transitions.