11/16/17
BY BARTLEY SIDES
In less than a week, 46 million turkeys will be consumed on a
day when our country pauses for a day of thanks with family and friends.
However, one thing will certainly not pause next Thursday – the nagging feeling
of anxiety and worry for the millions of high school seniors awaiting college
decisions. While their younger cousins play football in the front yard, seniors
may very well be cornered in the dining room answering endless questions about
college from aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
I’ve had students share with me that they oftentimes dread
family gatherings because of the questions, the unsolicited advice, and the
comparisons between other family members, friends, and neighbors. To be fair,
college is an easy conversation starter. It’s relevant, it’s important, and
everyone feels like they have a little something extra to add. However, I beg
of you: please allow the seniors to relax and enjoy their pumpkin pie in peace!
PARENTS: Maybe you’ve felt out of the loop on the college
process or maybe you feel like you’re stuck in a loop. Whatever the case may
be, now is your time to shine as a perfect example of what it means to be the
parent of a high school senior. It’s your chance to intervene, to redirect the
conversation, and to protect your child from the barrage of questions that will
inevitably begin before the green bean casserole comes out of the oven. Here
are six easy responses to questions that will earn you MVP on Turkey Day:
- “We’ve
decided not to talk about college today and give him a break!”
- “I
don’t know where he’s going to end up next fall. The possibilities
are endless.”
- “I
know that everyone in our family has always attended that college.
She hasdifferent thoughts, though, on where she sees herself, and we
support that
decision.”
- “That’s
interesting that you’ve never heard of that college. We visited
andabsolutely loved it. Plus, it’s where the school’s English teacher
attended!”
- “She
doesn’t know what she’s going to major in yet. In fact, did you know
thatnearly 2⁄3 of college students will change their major at least once?”
- “We
are considering the price of the college. However, he’s applied for
lots ofscholarships, and his counselor is helping with that process, too.”
When in doubt, change the topic completely. Let your child
relax for the day. Offer him or her an extra slice of pie or another helping of
a favorite dish. Your senior will be thankful for you.
