Help your child
Your child may already have an idea of what he/she plans to do after high school. This idea may be realistic, like going on to college* or working in the family business. Or, it may be more of a dream, like becoming a professional athlete. Or, perhaps your child is interested in many different possibilities at this point. Whatever future your child dreams about, decisions that you and he/she make now and during high school can be very important!
*To make things easier, we have used the word "college" to mean any type of education after high school. This could include two- or four-year colleges and universities, private career schools, vocational-technical schools, and graduate schools.
Remember: Young people change their minds often, so the best plan is to keep options open. Here are some general things your child can do over the next few years to prepare for whatever the future holds.
Take control - learn to be a good student.
Many young people do not enjoy going to school. They feel trapped in classrooms where they sometimes do not understand what is being taught. They may feel embarrassed to ask for help. The student guide includes tips for overcoming some of the barriers to learning. Even though these ideas may seem simple and just common sense, they are important to take seriously. Talking about these tips with your child may help him/her understand that it is within his/her own power to be a better student.
Take the right courses.
Since education after high school is necessary for many careers, it is important to make sure the high school courses he/she takes will prepare him/her for college (just in case!). The student guide includes information about taking the correct courses to do just that. The student guide also includes a chart that your child can use to lay out his/her individual plan for taking high school courses after working with the school counselor.
Use time outside of school wisely.
Often, a good student is merely someone who has certain "habits", both in and out of school, that help make learning easier and more enjoyable. The student guide suggests some of these habits that are fairly simple to develop. Talking with your child about what the family can do to support his/her good study habits may be very helpful. Family support and understanding can make a big difference in how well a student does in school.
Start thinking about the future.
Now is the time for your child to begin to explore what to do with the rest of his/her life. Whether your child goes on to college, goes to work right out of high school, or chooses some other option like joining the Armed Forces, the student guide gives some pointers on how to prepare. There also are some very good and easy-to-use computer programs, like ACT's DISCOVER®, that can help young students begin to explore different careers. School counselors are the best people to ask about these programs.
If college is a goal, don't worry about costs at this point.
If your child decides to go on for more education after high school, the chances are very good that there will be financial assistance to help make it possible. The government and the schools themselves offer many types of financial help for families that cannot afford the full cost. The student guide includes some general information about how to deal with educational costs. There will be time to look into financial help for college during the last two years of high school. If it is possible for your family to begin to save even a small amount of money each month for your child's college education, some states have excellent college savings plans to help you do it in the best way.
Get help when you need it.
There are MANY people and organizations in every state that really care about how well your child does in school and in life. Some helpful phone numbers and sites on the Internet are listed on the resources page of this guide. They can provide answers to many of the questions you and your child may have over the next few years. Be sure to use these free public services.