Choosing a college or university
For a teen who has developed a keen interest for the future and is confident that college or university is for her, help her explore her options early. She might begin by obtaining materials from the guidance department. Many high-school guidance departments have videos and course catalogues for local colleges and universities. If they don't have current calendars outlining the courses that interest your teen, they probably have contact information for telephoning, writing, faxing, or sending e-mail messages for further information.
There are also annual publications that rank the services and qualities of Canadian universities from several points of view, including those of students. In fact, talking to older relatives or to friends' older siblings who are university students about their experiences brings a more personal touch to the information. What do they like about their college or university? Would they do anything different if they could plan their education again? Or find one of the many university guides written by students for students. These somewhat irreverent looks at campus life are as entertaining as they are informative.
Information sessions
Even though high-school graduation is a year or two away, your teen should attend information sessions and meet university recruiters when they come to his high school. As a family, you might make an effort to visit some campuses on a vacation trip. Most can easily arrange a tour for students and parents. Other good sources of information are the websites that each institution maintains.
By the final year of high school, your teen should have an idea of where and what she would like to study. She should nevertheless attend university or college recruitment presentations. Canada has over forty universities and over one hundred colleges, and each one has its own specialties and its own personality. If her plans change or she isn't accepted in her first-choice school, she needs to know what's available elsewhere. But what if they all sound interesting and she can't make a decision? You can help her narrow the choices by asking:
• Can I afford to live away from home? What are the tuition costs, the costs for books, other learning materials and costs of living? What scholarships or bursaries are available? What student grants and loans are available?
• Do I like big cities or small towns?
• Do I want to attend a big university where I'll meet people from all over the country and possibly all over the world?
• Would I prefer a smaller school where I'm more likely to receive more personalized attention?
When recruiters come to the high school, your teen might ask:
• How big are first-year classes? Are they small enough so that professors can learn students' names?
• Is there an orientation program for first-year students? Are there specific services designed to help students make the transition from high school to university?
• What academic support services are available (study skills workshops, writing assistance, counselling, tutors)?
• Will I need to have my own computer? Are student residences wired for computers? What sports or physical training facilities are available for general use even if I'm not on a team?
Excerpted from Understanding Your Teen: Ages 13 to 19 by Christine Langlois. Copyright 1999 by Telemedia Communications Inc. Excerpted, with permission by Ballantine Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
