Preparing Your Teenager For College

Preparing a child for college is both exciting and stressful. When they leave the nest, they’ll immediately be faced with the task of developing new relationships, while facing additional peer pressure and academic challenges.

They’ll also be exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sex. Most college freshmen aren’t ready to leave home without some preparation first.

Preparing your teenager for college might seem like a daunting task, but there’s plenty you can do to help them. The first step is to make sure they know that the family will stay alongside them in order to offer the guidance and support they need. Best of all, there are several things you can do proactively to make the transition easier for everyone.

Addiction issues during the college years

Once your kids settle into their new campus lifestyle, the first thing they’ll notice is the fact that the college community is inherently more permissive than their home community. Without parents nearby to monitor their activities, most students feel freer to experiment with drugs and alcohol.

Unfortunately, the stress of being far from home combined with fewer social controls may lead to problems with drug addiction and alcohol abuse. It’s especially important for parents and other family members to maintain open communications and be watchful for any warning signs of illegal drug use or alcohol abuse. Let’s have a look at some of the issues they face, and how you can help by preparing your child for college.

College drinking

Alcohol and college culture seem inseparable. Research has shown that about 60% of all freshmen drink at least once a month, and about half of them will admit to occasional binge drinking.

Drunk driving is often the first pitfall encountered by students. Most adults are already aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but young people under the influence of alcohol sometimes feel they’re invincible to the risks.

Beer and liquor are easy to acquire throughout college communities, and it’s easy for stressed-out young people far from home to fall into the trap of alcoholism of drug addiction.

Studies have shown that the earlier a teen begins to experiment with alcohol, the more likely they are to become an alcoholic.

Unfortunately, too many bright students find their careers derailed by an early addiction to alcohol or drugs. The good news is that you can do plenty to proactively help your teen avoid or recover from this problem. Here’s how –

Set up, monitor, and pay for a ride-sharing account. Services such as Uber and Lyft can help in several ways. First, even if they drink, your child won’t be tempted to drive in order to save money. And, it also gives them a safer option to avoid riding home with a drunk driver if they don’t have enough cash to pay for a taxi.

Talk with your teenager as early as possible regarding the dangers of drinking. Once they’re in college, you may find that your kids are more open to having frank discussions about serious topics. Now that they’ve seen a bit more of the “real world,” they might be more receptive to listening to adult advice – as long as you’re asking questions and listening, instead of lecturing them.

Drugs in college

Of course, drug abuse in college is just as common and worrisome as alcohol addiction. The same risks apply to both alcohol and illegal drugs: The earlier the experimentation begins, the more likely a student is to fall into drug addiction while on campus. These are the illicit drugs most commonly abused by teens –

Marijuana is found on college campuses nationwide. Although it’s been decriminalized in some communities, marijuana is still dangerous, especially for young people. It’s been linked to poor academic performance and low grades, as well as many physical ailments.

Party drugs, also called “club drugs,” include substances such as amphetamine, cocaine, Ecstasy, and many others. There are many physical risks and side effects.

Sexual assault

Alcohol and illicit drugs are especially dangerous because they can leave college students vulnerable to sexual assault. Good communication is the key to protecting students – It’s important for parents and trusted adults to have clear, open discussions with teens long before they enter college.

Stress and time management

When high school students transition into college, they’re immediately faced with additional stress, including pressure for academic performance. Good time-management is essential for success, and parents can help by teaching such skills as early as possible, long before the student enrolls in college.

Relationships

New environments bring new relationships, whether good or bad. Parents should begin preparing a child for college by initiating discussions about relationships, the same way they maintain open communications regarding drugs and alcohol.

How to help

As mentioned above, the best way to help any teen entering college is to maintain open, loving communications without lecturing or being judgmental. Remember to look, listen, and ask questions instead of lecturing.

Also, keep in mind that professional help is available. If you’re concerned about preparing your teenager for college, we can help. To learn more, contact us now.