Higher Education

How to (Gently) Guide Your Parents Through Your College Decision

When it comes to choosing your next step—like enrolling in a college, for example—you’re not the only one who feels a bit of uncertainty. Your parents, seasoned veterans of their own lives, suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
Smiling Student with Backpack in Modern Building

When it comes to choosing your next step—like enrolling in a college, for example—you’re not the only one who feels a bit of uncertainty. Your parents, seasoned veterans of their own lives, suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They’re facing an environment with new vocabulary, a new reality, and a future that includes their child navigating specialized fields like design, fashion, digital arts, video games or business. It’s perfectly normal for them to feel a little off-balance, almost like first-timers stepping into a new school.

With a bit of patience, you can help guide them through the process. Consider it a sort of gentle mentorship. Here’s how you can help them find their footing and feel confident that you’ve put real thought into your choice.