Last month, my daughter graduated from high school. She’s headed off to college with a substantial scholarship from her top choice school and I could not be more proud. Since she is our oldest, this was uncharted territory and we learned a lot along the way. Here are some tips for a minimal stressful senior year as after navigating this process for the first time.
1. Start saving now.
No seriously, start saving right now. I’m not a financial advisor, so this is not financial advice, but I am so glad we started a 529 early and would encourage everyone to do the same. And now thanks to a recent change in law, we can now use the unused 529 funds (up to 35k) to roll into a Roth IRA for her when she starts working! As an added bonus, the Maryland, Virginia, and DC 529 plans also have tax advantages.
Senior year of high school comes with a lot of random costs and those random costs cannot be paid for out of a 529. Make sure that in addition to college savings, you are saving for senior expenses as well. College visits, SATs (prep, testing, sending scores), college application fees, senior portraits, graduation announcements, prom…the list of expenses is long and the cost is high. Don’t be caught off guard and unprepared!
3. Visit colleges.
Visit a variety of schools early and often. Check out the schools that are so close to home that your kid swears there is no way they would choose it–especially those. Every college visit helps inform your child’s future college choice so start early. The sooner they can narrow down their selections, the less stressful senior year will be.
4. Secure letters of recommendation early.
Make sure your child does not wait until October of their senior year to ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation. Encourage your child to cultivate relationships with their teachers throughout high school and then pick at least three teachers to write letters of recommendation. And when they reach out to that teacher they should make it as easy for the teacher as possible by providing their resume that outlines their jobs, activities, and volunteering experience.
5. Create a new email account for college/scholarship applications.
Create an email account for them that you both have access to for college and scholarship applications. A shared email allows you to see what is coming in and be aware of deadlines, important dates and other information related to the college admissions process. I created my daughter’s first.lastname at gmail account in 8th grade. I created the account when she was younger so that she would have a clean professional email address that wasn’t tied to any of her teenage online activities.
6. Be honest
Be honest and forthcoming about your ability and willingness to contribute. Not everyone believes in funding all or some of their children’s education, and that’s OK. If you can only afford community college (which is a great option btw), then make sure your child understands that. But also let them know that they can apply for scholarships if they have lofty dreams of a fancy private school.
7. Hold tight/let go
Savor every moment. The first half of senior year can be overwhelming…stressed, nervous and your child will be too (check out this great post on how to be a stress free mom during the college admissions process). Hold them tight, and reassure them that everything will be ok and that they will land right where they are supposed to. Then, say it to yourself until you believe it too. Seasoned moms always tell you that the days are long but the years are short. This old adage is even more true for the high school years. Hold them tight, but when it’s time…you have to let them go.
My husband giving our daughter one last hug before dropping her off at her college’s summer program.
If you have a child who has graduated, what tips would you give other moms for a less stressful senior year?
Of all the phases, I think leaving for college is the one I think about the most. My oldest is only 8 and my heart is already heavy 10 years early.
I absolutely love the photo with daughter and dad. I’m sure you both are so proud!
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