How to help your Child choose a College Course

Photo credit to Jonnny

Entering college is the final episode of our child as a student. After this, he will be facing the real world. This last step is very important since this will be his lifetime investment. However, some parents leave the decision to their child alone. Although it is their freedom to choose, parents should also give some advises. Doing this may be not that simple, especially if you have your own dream for your child. So before it could create a discomfort, here are some of helpful tips.

Do it early

As early as third year high school or two years before college, you should start asking your child about his dream course. By this time, he is quite sure of what he really wants. Convince your child to be vocal about it. In this way, you can analyze whether your child fits in it or not. This includes knowing his emotional and intellectual capabilities. A child will fail to reach his goal if he is not capable of doing it. It is actually not his fault. All of us were born with different talents. Success depends on how and when we start cultivating our craft.

Start saving money

Sending a child to college is not a joke. Tuition fee increases dramatically each year and not everybody is fortunate to finish a good course. That is why you should start saving as early as possible. There are a lot of college insurance plan available you can choose from. Although you are having a tight budget, it is worth to save. Do not let your child be disappointed to take a cheaper course that he does not like. It will be a waste of time and money. In addition, it will be frustrating if he will not finish it.

Point of interest

Help him know more about the different courses available and applicable to him. Your child might want to be an engineer but he cannot take the difficulties in mathematics. Do not allow your child to take chances. Let him be more interested to a certain career before going into it. If he enters college without a specific goal, he will be shifting from one course to another and might prolong his college years. The worst is that he may not even finish one. Time may come that you cannot support his studies anymore.

Support and not dictate

You may be disappointed if your child chooses a career path that is not your choice. This is a normal feeling of parents but you should allow him. Your child has his own identity and you must respect it. Financial and moral supports go hand in hand. If you push him, he might be rebellious or he might just follow your command. In either case, his future will be miserable. The most you can do is to give solid advises based on your experiences. A respected lawyer can also have the best chef son in the world.

Pursue a dream career

It is unfortunate that choosing a college course nowadays depend on the opportunity of earning good money in the future. Blame it on the dropping economy. However, there is a big downside of a wrong decision. Your child may be receiving an attractive compensation, but this is only temporary. It is very hard to perform with flying colors on something that you do not enjoy doing. For me, it is very important that you really love what you are doing. If you do, more opportunities can come and you will earn good money and high respect more than you expected.

Education is a passport to a brighter future, not a business investment.

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Article Source: Happy Family Matters

8 comments:

  mon

April 20, 2008 at 9:20 AM

Hello Sir Pandong, you have been tagged here: http://www.fatherlyours.com/?p=252

  Angel

April 21, 2008 at 2:35 AM

Hi Mon,

I replied on your post and asked a couple of questions.

Pls. send your answers through Entrecard email.

Thanks for tagging me.

  Anonymous

April 21, 2008 at 3:15 PM

It's nice to see that some people still remember that you need to guide your kids through these decisions. I'm glad my parents helped me with this, but I know plenty of people my age (~22 yrs) who still have no purpose in life.

  Angel

April 21, 2008 at 4:31 PM

Hi Shan-ul-Hai,

How lucky you are. To tell you frankly, I belong to the unlucky ones that's why I thought of writing this post.

If you will view my About Me page, you'll find out that why.

However, I still feel lucky now that I am really happy of what I am doing, that is, writing or blogging for that matter.

I wish I could visit your blog but you did not leave a link.

Thanks for dropping by.

  Anonymous

April 22, 2008 at 8:26 AM

Very good post! I must remember those tips! I could certainly use them.

  Sherry Go Sharing

April 22, 2008 at 3:15 PM

this is good post. My dad didn't help me choose the right course. I didn't know how to choose a course then.

  Angel

April 22, 2008 at 6:06 PM

Hi Doc Joey,

I am happy to know that a doctor like you is learning from my tips. It is such an honor for me.

Thanks for the comment.

  Angel

April 22, 2008 at 6:08 PM

Hi Sherry,

I know how you feel, we had the same problem.

Anyway, hope you're fine with what you are now.

Thanks for sharing your time with this post.