Parents and their college-bound children must deal with dozens of intricate issues related to finding the right school, financing an education, selecting a suitable major field of study, deciding which extracurricular activities to join, learning how to use tutoring resources, and writing papers without plagiarizing or relying on AI-generated content.
In short, when young adults begin college, they and their parents must address several important questions. Earning a four-year degree in the 2020s is not a simple affair.
What can people do to get ready for the challenge? The first step is to devote time and effort to the search for an institution that offers value for the dollar, not just a famous name or popular sports team. However, when it comes time to pay for schooling, parents need to be aware of the pros and cons of various financing methods, particularly cosigning for a child’s loan application. What is the most advantageous way to handle all the questions that arise as the first day of college approaches? Review the following points to gain a more complete view of the situation.
Look for Value, Not a Big Name
Big name colleges and universities tend to be overpriced. Wise people always look for value, not a brand name. That’s why so many young people and their parents prefer community colleges, online schools, and state university systems for obtaining a degree. Start by exploring one of the college listing catalogs to find institutions that meet your criteria. If you want to major in IT studies, look for schools that offer good value in terms of tuition, a wide selection of IT courses, and a competent placement office. Use other resources, like in-person or tele-visits with admissions staff members.
Parents: Be Careful About Cosigning
Moms and dads are often asked to serve as cosigners on a child’s loan application. There’s a great temptation to agree. For many youngsters, the lack of a credit history means having zero chance of gaining acceptance for a loan. Plus, many of the federal programs have limits on the amount of money students can borrow. Once a person hits that threshold, they must apply for private loans, which means asking parents to cosign. If you are a parent of a college-bound son or daughter, give serious thought to the decision to put your signature on another person’s loan. If they default or miss payments, the lender could hold you responsible for the balance. Plus, your credit rating could take a serious hit in those circumstances. So, if you’re wondering should you cosign for my child’s student loan, get all the facts about the subject before moving forward.
Aim for a Career Oriented Major
If you like the idea of finding a decent job soon after graduation, select a major field of study that is aligned with a career field that interests you. There are no right or wrong answers, but some of the top choices among today’s crop of college attendees include engineering, business, computer programming, physical therapy, and architecture. Note that several of the most popular selections are either five-year programs or include a graduate degree. In most cases, individuals who opt for law, medicine, or physical therapy will need to attend for an extra year to earn enough credits or apply for law or medical school. However, most majors are four-year affairs in which graduates have the option to go directly into the working world or add a master’s degree to their resume at that point.
There are so many things to prepare before going back to college and of course you want to think about fun and free time but hold off a bit. Wait until you get a feel for academic demands before deciding about clubs and sports teams. Extra activities can require major time commitments, and most students don’t realize what their course load entails until a few weeks have passed. Be careful to join only those clubs and teams that won’t interfere with class projects. If in doubt about what you can handle, speak with an academic advisor.
Don’t Plagiarize or Use AI-Generated Content
Use free apps to check all your written work for plagiarism and screen it for AI content. Most institutions have a strict policy about papers, and even a few instances of unethical behavior can get you expelled. Be smart and only use 100% original words in all papers and essays. Besides, learning to write clear, coherent English is a skill that will serve you for a lifetime.
