High school can be difficult for many young adults, but it’s not representative of the entire educational experience. Still, some teens may be hesitant to go to college if they’ve had a rough time in high school. What are you supposed to do if you want to motivate your teen to invest in their future? If your child is on the fence about university and worried about what the path ahead holds, here are some tips to motivate your struggling teen to go to college.
Get them the mental health support that they need to thrive.
Resilience and coping mechanisms are crucial for adolescents to learn how to care for their mental health throughout adulthood. As such, taking the time to look for therapists that they can talk to about topics like bullying, depression, anxiety disorder, or even substance abuse can go a long way in getting them prepared for and excited about their future. If they have a serious mental health disorder, look for residential treatment for teens nearby to get the quality of care they need in a clinical setting. A residential treatment center offers a clinical treatment team that uses personally tailored treatment programs (group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family therapy, etc.) and is equipped with the skills and experience needed to tackle such mood disorders and other psychological or behavioral issues.
With the proper support, your teen will be on track to better cope with trauma and stress and maintain a bright outlook in life.
Help them discover what it is they’re passionate about.
Some young people feel like college will be even more of a struggle. This can be incredibly impactful if they’re unsure what they want to do with their lives. If your teen isn’t quite sure which direction they want to go in, take some time to sit down with them and help them discover their passion. What is it that they love to do in their free time? What could they do as a means to make money that’s close to that hobby? Are there any majors out there that incorporate some of their strengths and passions into one field of study? No matter what it is, the chances are that there’s a major out there for them.
Once you land on a passion, you can further boost their confidence and improve their outlook with the support of a college counselor. A great college counseling company works with teens to get into top colleges by offering a range of college admissions counseling services like essay editing, PSAT support, and even financial aid support. When they see how many people are rooting for them to succeed, they might become more encouraged and invested in their college education.
Work with them to develop the skills and systems they need in college.
Low self-esteem can make it difficult for young people to see themselves succeeding at any point in time. However, all they need is a little support to know that they can accomplish what they put their mind to. Now’s the perfect time to help them develop their time management skills for a better school-life balance, figure out how to relieve stress and stay upbeat, and work towards managing their lives and handling greater independence. It may be difficult at first, but the rewards they reap from being involved in their lives are sure to boost their confidence.
Struggling teens may have difficulty seeing their bright futures, but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you want to see your teen go to college, get a good degree, and get into a career they love, use the tips above to guide them and offer them the support they need to lead their best lives.
