It may not always be easy to talk with your teen. But it’s
important that you support your teen throughout the college
planning process. Help him or her organize the process, meet
deadlines and talk with the right people. Here are a few tips to
consider: Be receptive to and listen when your teen wants to
discuss career and/or college plans. Have your teen explore
career and college options and collect as much information as
possible. Encourage him/her to capture their ideas on paper. One
idea is to create a scrapbook of career and college plans. Be
aware of various deadlines for applications to colleges and
financial aid. Put them on a calendar that both you and your
teen can look at. Suggest that your teen meet with a school
counselor at least once a year, beginning in the 10th grade, to
learn more about college and career planning. Be supportive of
your teen, and meet with his/her counselor if you sense that
he/she needs additional help. Connect to Career Encourage your
teen by helping him/her see the conne