| Education is something that continues from the day | | | | the only opportunity for fun and socializing. |
| we are born until the day we die. In some cases, it's | | | | Study habits: Regular studying rather than last minute |
| formal, with definite starting and finishing times and a | | | | cramming is essential. Being a full time student is |
| specific course of study. In the United States, most | | | | equivalent to having a full time job, and freshmen are |
| people attend elementary, middle and high school. | | | | often surprised by how much time they need to study |
| The schools have the responsibility of teaching us | | | | in addition to the time spent in class. |
| specific subjects like language, math, science, etc. In | | | | You can help your college-bound child prepare for |
| addition, though, our schools teach us social skills and | | | | school by talking with her about these potential |
| the other life skills we need. In school, we learn how to | | | | problem areas, and helping her set realistic goals. |
| schedule our time and how to make decisions. | | | | During the senior year in high school, you can help your |
| After high school, some children go on to university, | | | | teenager prepare for college by giving her the chance |
| college, community college, or a technical school. | | | | to practice more independence while still living at home. |
| Oftentimes, that's our children's first experience with | | | | You can give your teenager the opportunity to |
| true independence, which is a completely different kind | | | | schedule his own time, to choose his own food, to |
| of education. And, in addition to the formal subjects, | | | | budget his money and time, within some limits. It's |
| schools of higher education also offer learning in social | | | | important to be balanced, giving him some freedom |
| skills and other life skills. | | | | yet not too much. |
| The freshman year offers the potential for pitfalls, and | | | | The danger for teenagers who have had no choices |
| students show their ability or lack of ability to handle | | | | at home is that they tend to go out of control when |
| independence quickly. | | | | they first get to college and have complete freedom. |
| Food, money, recreation and study habits are the four | | | | Setting goals and achieving them, making wise |
| most common problem areas in the freshman year. | | | | decisions, and learning self- discipline are all habits that |
| You can help your child succeed by talking with them | | | | are learned over time, not overnight. |
| about this ahead of time and helping them set specific | | | | Of course, some students are better off taking some |
| goals in each of these areas. | | | | time between high school and college, or attending a |
| Food: With the multiple choices in the school cafeteria, | | | | community college and continuing to live at home. This |
| and no one monitoring their intake, children may choose | | | | gives your teenager the opportunity to learn important |
| based on taste rather than nutrition. The infamous | | | | life skills before going on to formal education. As a |
| 'freshman fifteen' weight gain comes from this. | | | | parent, you can help your child to evaluate and decide |
| Money: Unprepared students are likely to run into | | | | the best route. If your student needs more time to |
| disastrous problems when they are suddenly | | | | develop maturity and life skills, you are wise to give |
| expected to make payments for books, housing and | | | | them the time rather than pushing them before they |
| tuition. | | | | are ready. |
| Recreation: Without supervision and a curfew, | | | | Whether your teenager goes directly from high school |
| freshmen can get caught up in the excitement of | | | | to college or takes a break, you can help them make |
| seemingly unlimited time to play. Sometimes their dorm | | | | choices and develop skills that will serve them well |
| mates are of legal drinking age, leading to the | | | | throughout their lives. |
| temptation to party all the time when that seems to be | | | | |