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A Guide for Parents Supporting Teens
Every spring, my Facebook feed becomes flooded with humble brag posts of college acceptance letters.
What you don’t see on Facebook, however, is the mom consoling her kid who didn’t get into their “dream school”.
I remember several years ago when my son didn’t get accepted to his dream school. His backpack, his room, his clothes were all decorated in the college that didn’t accept him. It was heartbreaking for him…and for me. As a mom you hate to see your kid disappointed.
Let me tell you sweet mama, he/she will be ok. I believe everything happens for a reason and the school my son ended up going to has been the BEST experience for him. God knew!
Hurdles like this can become an opportunity for growth, resilience, and discovering alternative paths to success. In this guide, we'll explore helpful tips for parents to support their teens through the disappointment of not getting into their preferred college and assist them in embracing the new possibilities that lie ahead.
Encourage Open Communication
Foster an open and non-judgmental space for your teen to express their feelings. Listen actively, acknowledging their disappointment while assuring them that it's okay to feel the way they do. Understanding their perspective is crucial in providing effective support.
Highlight the Silver Linings
Shift the focus from the closed door of the first-choice college to the open windows of other opportunities. Help your teen recognize the positives, such as the chance to explore different academic environments, meet new people, and engage in unique experiences that may not have been possible at their initial choice.
Explore Alternative Paths
Emphasize that a rejection letter is not the end of the road but a detour. Your teen may want to consider alternative educational paths, such as community college, gap years, or other universities that may still align with their goals. These diverse routes can offer valuable learning experiences and unexpected opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Empower Through Self-Reflection
Guide your teen in reflecting on their strengths, passions, and long-term goals. Help them understand that personal and academic growth can happen in various environments. Encourage them to identify what truly matters to them in a college experience, beyond the prestige of a specific institution.
Facilitate Goal Setting
Assist your teen in setting new short-term and long-term goals. This may involve revisiting academic and extracurricular aspirations, identifying potential career paths, or focusing on personal development. Setting tangible objectives can provide a sense of purpose and direction during this transitional period.
Connect with Support Networks
Encourage your teen to reach out to friends, teachers, and mentors who can provide guidance and emotional support. Building a strong support network can help them navigate the challenges of disappointment and redefine their path with the help of experienced perspectives.
Celebrate Achievements and Resilience
Acknowledge and celebrate your teen's achievements and resilience throughout the college application process. Reinforce that the ability to persevere in the face of adversity is a valuable life skill that will serve them well in the future.
Disappointments are part of life and the college admissions journey may not always follow the expected route,. Helping your teen emotionally navigate setbacks this will make them stronger, more resilient, and more empathetic humans. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and with the right mindset, every setback can lead to a brighter future.
You’ve got this, mama!
