Why You Should Rethink College
Do you have a high school aged child who is planning to attend college directly after graduation? While most kids are academically ready, have you thought about whether your child is emotionally ready?
Most of these students have spent the past year sitting in their bedrooms “learning” through a screen. Have they really had a chance to develop their social interaction skills with friends and teachers. Have they fine-tuned their thinking processes to handle the demands of college courses? Have they developed the organizational skills to live an independent life in a dorm or apartment on a campus? With so many after school activities being compromised, have these kids had a chance to find a passion so that they know what they want to pursue in college?
If these students aren’t fully ready for college, then maybe there’s a better way so they aren’t being set up for failure. Fortunately, many opportunities are available to give young adults more time to learn about themselves, find a passion and discover their own dreams.
1. Post Graduate Year - For the recent high school graduate, Boarding Schools offer a 13th year as a place to seamlessly continue learning and possibly increase options for college.
Learn new subjects
Discover a passion
Take classes that may need to be made up
Improve athletic skills for college play
Develop living skills “away from home”
Take ownership of behavior without parent oversight
Enjoy “senior” privileges on a safe campus
2. GAP Program - Many programs exist to expand one’s personal horizons and allow the recent high school graduate to learn about their personal dreams and interests.
Travel to a new location to learn the culture and meet new people
Flexible timing with program length of either 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
Volunteer in a new environment to develop skills and possible passion
Learn a new language or fine-tune current language skills
Develop independent skills through living with others
Work with others in a community
3. Supportive GAP program - All the benefits of a GAP program with the additional therapeutic emotional component.
Develop self-esteem and inner strength
Group and individual coaching for extra support
Structured days fosters independence
Therapists available at meals, activities, and adventures
College should have a purpose, but the student must be ready to benefit from what it offers. Perhaps it might be better for some high school students to develop a few more skills before heading off to college, so that when they get there, they can make the most of it! If you are interested in learning more about one of these programs, feel free to contact The Aspire Group to discuss opportunities, (847)-945-0913.