Handling the Stress of College Admissions: Tips for Parents

There’s no denying that the college admissions process is stressful for both parents and students. It feels like so much is riding on the successful navigation of the process. For parents used to shepherding their kids through all of life’s difficulties, it can seem especially hard to know when to intervene and when to hold back. Either approach can add to the feelings of stress. Parents need to know how to manage their own stress in order to stay sane and help their kids most effectively. Here are a few tips on how parents can manage stress during the college application process.

How Parents Can Manage Stress During the College Application Process

1. Learn to let go. This one will come in handy when your son or daughter actually heads off for college, too. Even during the application process, though, you can practice giving your child autonomy to make decisions and handle the responsibility of keeping track of deadlines, making a list of schools, etc.
2. Ask for help. Part of letting go can also be reaching out to professional help–college counselors, teachers, admissions officers, and anyone else who knows the ins-and-outs of applying to college. If you and your child are both feeling stressed and overwhelmed, bringing in a neutral third party can really help.
3. Keep lines of communication open. Remember that your child is probably feeling more overwhelmed than you are–after all, you’ve actually been to college already! Try to see things through their eyes and let them know you are open to discussing all of their fears about not getting in to certain schools or about leaving home.
4. Remember that there is a school for everyone. Neither you nor your child should get locked into one school as the ONLY acceptable option. College admissions is largely a numbers game, and there are no guarantees. Remember that your child doesn’t have to go to your alma mater or to an Ivy League in order to be happy and successful in life.
5. Have clear discussions about finances. If you can’t afford to pay tuition at your child’s school of choice, have a very honest discussion about that. We strongly encourage students to go to schools that make the most financial sense. If they know what your realistic limits are, they will realize that they have to get very serious about applying for scholarships and have other backup options that might provide more tuition assistance. Knowing that you don’t have to shoulder a huge financial burden can greatly alleviate stress for parents.

We’ve seen hundreds of families through the college admissions process, so if you have specific questions about how to make the process easier on your family, we’re happy to chat. Our college planners are also on hand to provide guidance and support to both parents and students. Contact us at info@eliteacademics.com to learn more.