5 Going On 18: Preparing for your child's education

College may seem light years away.  But ask those who have been there.  Before you know it, applications begin, decisions are made, and your little buddy and beautiful little princess are no longer at home.

Why does time pass so quickly?  Well – that is a conversation for another day.  But managing the preparation for the time at which that day finally comes is something that should be considered now.  Waiting too long results in time lost. Not to mention, last minute preparations can often lead to over-looked details, missed deadlines and hasty decisions.

So, how do you start preparing for your child’s education today?  Here are 5 simple steps:

A great resource for detailed information and research on this subject is available through the USAA Educational Foundation.  In addition to healthy habits, they offer many additional suggestions that can assist you in preparing your child for college. Don’t miss out on what they have available.

      

      Prepare financially.  It is never too early to begin saving for college expenses.  A 529 College Savings Plan can be a great way to start, but it’s certainly not the only option.  You can learn more about 529 Savings Plans through the Utah Educational Savings Plan website.

      

      Financial literacy.  The old adage is true: a dollar saved is a dollar earned.  And in all reality, a dollar saved is better than a dollar earned.  What are we doing to actually teach our youngsters about financial literacy?  Start early, whereas the consequences of learning this lesson later in life can be difficult to overcome and detrimental to future financial security. 

              

      Social maturity.  You would think this doesn’t need to be mentioned.  But from working with young adults and high school/college students, I have quickly discovered that the art of communication isn’t as strong as it should be.  Time away from video games, texting, and social media is very important.  Time with family, friends, adults, community service, and healthy recreational activities is vital. 

              

      Academics.  Studying skills should be reinforced in the home.  Critical thinking is crucial in the competitive world we live in.  As children grow and become young adults, they need to create the habit of forming ideas, evaluating information, and being able to make an educated and informed decision.  To help in this process, many students will have the option of taking concurrent (dual) enrollment in high school, or AP exams.  Before jumping into these decisions, call 3-4 universities/colleges and ask the tough questions.  Determine if these options are best suited for your child and their continued education.

          

      Healthy habits. Whether it involves eating, sleeping, exercise, or a variety of other activities, living a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for everyone.  Limiting television, increasing community service, maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and allowing ourselves to sleep and rest are all good ways to help establish healthy habits.  Unfortunately, this takes years to learn.  The early it is taught and reinforced, the better.

      These 5 simple suggestions are exactly that.  They are simple.  And they are just suggestions.  But they are suggestions that will create an opportunity for success and continued growth.  

      A great resource for detailed information and research on this subject is available through the USAA Educational Foundation.  In addition to healthy habits, they offer many additional suggestions that can assist you in preparing your child for college. Don’t miss out on what they have available.

Written by Craig Whyte