Do you have a high schooler? Or a middle schooler and you are wondering what to expect the next few years? I am here to help. My high school survival kit for parents is a labor of love. It’s all the things that I wished we would have had when our older kids went through high school.
Read on to find out more about what to expect as you think about college preparation, and I hope that this will help!
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High school survival kit for parents!
Some days you feel like all is well. Then, one day your kid comes home and is freaking out over grades, friends or maybe just really despondent over any number of things. The range of emotions a family goes through can be intense and overwhelming at times. So, strap on your seatbelt, you’re in for a ride! *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.
College preparation begins before high school starts -if possible!
Transitioning from middle school to high school is an exciting time for everyone. You, as a parent, feel a little proud that your child is starting high school. I know I was! Your teen is growing up and you know the next four years are going to be challenging.
Looking back on high school, (hopefully, yours was a good experience), you know it’s about to get interesting. Before each of my boys started, I was really interested in waiting to see how each of my sons was going to navigate it all. If your kids are anything like mine were, your child is probably excited, but at the same time anxious as this is the time when many things can, and will, change.
Maybe some friends are going to a different school. That sense of security can be gone for some, and the thought of starting a new school without their best friend is frightening. And then, of course, there is actually starting school and handling all the new expectations and coursework because now grades count towards college acceptance!
My shoulders just tighten up thinking about all the things high school kids have to do. I also remember thinking, what am I supposed to do? How can I help?
Well, I survived this process, as did my boys (at least 2 so far). And, you will too. But, knowing what I know now, I wish I had been better equipped. That’s why I have created a survival kit for parents for college prep.
Your high school counselors may say, it’s time to start letting go and let your child “figure it out”.
Believe me, I agree with this philosophy with a BUT. My opinion is that our kids are inundated with school work, extra-curricular activities, jobs, a social life etc.
So, I do think they need to “figure it out”, but with some over-arching guidance. Not that we do the work, but have an open conversation with your child about what needs to happen concurrently. At the end of high school, there will be questions asked by colleges and scholarships such as: “What did you do during your high school experience?”, “Did you play sports, play an instrument, volunteer, have a job?”, “What are your hobbies?” etc.
Have you read my book? College Bound: Conversations to Help Your Teen Through High School
The blog post I wrote to accompany the book, with a few freebies is here!
When should I start helping my teen get organized for college?
If you’re a freshman parent, you’re in a perfect position to start tracking now. If you’re a senior parent, don’t worry, download your survival kit and start writing down what you and your child remember.
Why? Well, if your child decides to pursue college, the above information will be asked on college and scholarship applications. If your child is applying for a job, similar questions will be asked. Two great scholarship systems for help in knowing what to do and where to start are here and here!
What’s Included?
High school survival kit for parents of high school freshmen
- To Do List – A list of 7 items to accomplish over the school year.
- Activity/Volunteer Tracker- Begin writing down ALL the activities your child participates in school, volunteer hours or anything “extra”.
- Potential Colleges- begin exploring potential colleges or vo-tech programs. Why do they sound interesting?
- A Yearly Calendar- Each kit comes with a yearly calendar to keep track of school/family activities. There is a space to write down a goal for the month and helpful suggestions each month.
Download Today! 
Checklist for parent of high school sophomores
Sophomore
- To Do List- A list of 8 items to accomplish over the school year- from taking the PSAT to begin writing a resume.
- Career Worksheet- Begin having conversations about possible careers. How could their hobbies be a career?
- Potential Colleges – Take a road trip to a college near you.
- College Visit Checklist – provides information to complete to have a better understanding of each college
- Activity/Volunteer Tracker – keep track over their high school experience of ALL activities
- Resume Template – a sample template to use to get started for their first job/volunteer application.
- Yearly Calendar – Each kit comes with a yearly calendar to keep track of school/family activities. There is a space to write down a goal for the month and helpful suggestions each month.
Download Today!
Parent of high school juniors need this checklist
- To Do List- 9 items to accomplish over the school year- from encouraging strong study habits to college visits.
- 7 Tips to Stay Organized- Every student needs to be organized, especially their junior year. Helpful tips for your student.
- Scholarship Tracker – As you begin the search for free money, use this tracker to remember who, when and how much!
- College Visit Checklist -provides information to complete to have a better understanding of each college
- College Application Tracker – Organize those applications! Use each tracker per college application.
- Yearly Calendar – Each kit comes with a yearly calendar to keep track of school/family activities. There is a space to write down a goal for the month and helpful suggestions each month.
Download Today!
High school senior year checklist for parents
Senior
- To Do List- 12 items to accomplish over the school year- from meeting with their counselor to filling out applications to thank you notes.
- College Application Tracker – Organize those applications! Use each tracker per college application.
- Scholarship Tracker -As you begin the search for free money, use this tracker to remember who, when and how much!
- Cost of Attendance- After acceptance letters come in, use this worksheet to compare costs and help guide your decisions.
- Yearly Calendar – Each kit comes with a yearly calendar to keep track of school/family activities. There is a space to write down a goal for the month and helpful suggestions each month.
Download Today!
Parents, all of these are available for FREE. Click here to download your specific grade or download them ALL.
I wish I had this information when my older boys were going through high school. I would have felt more organized and secure knowing I was helping them be prepared to apply to college or their first job. Each year is organized into what needs to be done as well as checklists for keeping track of each high school year.
Download Today!
Related posts:
Our 2 1/2 Rules for Raising Teens,
29 Ways to Prepare For College!
5 Ways to Improve Communication With Your Teen,
7 Things to Know If You Love a Teenager and
6 Books You Should Read If You Are Parenting Teens!
Looking for a Gift Guide for Different Occasions With Your Teen?
Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Titles
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This is great! Thank goodness I don’t need it, but I do wish I’d had it many years ago.
🙂 gwingal
Thanks! I do too! My older 2 are in college now. Am excited to use it with my youngest in another year:) Please share with anyone you think might use it!