It’s Not Too Early To Have That College Talk

Graduation Time

It’s that time of year for high school graduations. Congratulations graduates! Students have worked hard to get to this point. Parents too have worked hard to get their children to this point, through their involvement and advocating for their children at different points. Many families will send their children to college for the first time this summer. Please be patient with others on this post that is meant specifically for parents and families that plan to send their daughters or sons to college. Remember that college or not, the most important thing is obeying and following God’s plan for your child and family. It’s good to emphasize that not every child wants to go to college, rather he or she wants to pursue their post-secondary passion be it military, trade/vocational programs or dive right into the workforce. So long as the child is following God’s plan for his or her life, they are on God’s success plan.

College Bound

For the child that wants to go to college and pursue their passion, this post is must-read. Parents care and want the best for their children when it comes to all things college. Sometimes, parents go overboard in the process, by selecting and demanding their child go to a specific college- such as the parents’ alma mater. Normally, this approach does not always go well. When our daughters were in college, one of their friend’s parents demanded the friend attend the same college generations of their family members have attended. This particular friend did not like the college but went along with the parent’s demands. Our daughter that was at the same college did not like the fact that her friend skipped classes a lot. When it came to graduation time, this said friend did not graduate with their class due to a deficit in course credits. Let the choice of college be that of your child. He or she will be the one going to classes and not you. Allowing your child to take ownership is important to their success, not just for college but for life in general.

Prayer First

It’s always best to begin college talks in prayer to obtain God’s heart and plan. Armed with this, parents can then begin to guide their children according to God’s blueprint. It is never too early to begin college talks. Parents of elementary-aged children always ask if they can start talking about college then or wait till middle school. Interest in college at the elementary age is a good indicator to begin talking to your child about college. The discussions can be framed around questions, such as, “What do you like in college?” Where would you like to go to college if you had a choice? Would you like to live on campus or off campus? This is part of stewarding your child toward their God-given gifts and helping your child recognize and develop their gifts and strengths for God’s purposes and glory.

College Visits

When we were homeschooling, we had lots of opportunities to talk about all things college with our daughters. We visited colleges both in Texas and other states. We had a major experience when we visited a well-known college with one of our daughters. This daughter loved this college we visited and told us, this was where she wanted to go to college. This was on the east coast. My husband and I knew we had to have the release of the Holy Spirit before we could co-sign on this daughter’s wish to go to this college on the east coast. So, we prayed about it, committing everything to God and asking for His guidance. What we received, became the blueprint for going to college for all three daughters.

Texas Only Decision

It was impressed on our hearts that all three daughters attend college for their undergraduate programs here in Texas. And that, they are welcome to go anywhere they want for their graduate programs. As you can imagine, Dad and Mom were not too popular with that decision for a while. We were fine with the decision, knowing that as their parents/stewards the decision was best for them. All three daughters went to college here in Texas. Two daughters went to SMU and one went to Rice for their undergraduate programs. One daughter took us up on the graduate program anywhere and studied in Europe. Fast forward, today as young women, all three daughters are living proof of following God’s plan for their lives. So, parents, it is never too early to begin the college talk with your child. It just might be the precursor to some major decisions that will guide your child and family.