College applications and after-school jobs can make the holiday season even busier for high school seniors.
Cassie Poncelow, a counselor at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, says many of her students enjoy working because they are somewhat forced into managing their time better.
But it’s crunch time for students applying to college, says Janelle Wibstad, a counselor at Oakes High School in North Dakota. She recommends all her students, even those who don’t plan on going to college immediately, apply to several schools so they have options.
High school jobs may enhance college applications, experts have told U.S. News, but they also come with some risks, including less time for students to focus on academics.
“It’s a bummer to have that acceptance revoked because you kind of slacked or you took on too much and grades dropped that senior year,” says Poncelow, who is also a finalist for 2018 School Counselor of the Year.
Here are four ways parents can help students make time for school work, college applications, jobs and holiday cheer.
1. Make sure teens set boundaries at work: Some teens may enter the workforce for the first time this year with a seasonal job. Poncelow says teens should set boundaries on their availability at the start of their employment, and parents can help reinforce this.
Teens should clearly communicate which days of the week they can work and shouldn’t feel like they need to take on every shift, she advises. If they were only hired to work 12 hours a week, they should stick to that schedule, she says. But teens can also let their employer know whether they have more flexibility during school holiday breaks.
Parents can offer advice and practice role playing these conversations with students, Poncelow says. It’s also good if parents are willing to back up their kids if they face pushback at work.
Teens should also plan ahead and start slow — maybe first by working a couple days a week, Wibstad from Oakes High says, as well as setting priorities. And parents can share their guidance.
Wibstad reminds parents that “they know what it’s like to balance that and a family, whereas a student is just starting out — they haven’t developed all the skills that are needed and the discipline that is needed.”
2. Arrange time for college applications: Schedules are crucial for seniors to stay on track during the holidays, says Poncelow. Parents can work with teens to create a calendar with upcoming deadlines.
There are a lot of components to college applications that parents need to help students with, such as providing financial information, Poncelow says. Setting aside time to work together on applications can be really helpful, she says.
Poncelow adds that parents can also offer to review applications or college essays.
[Learn other ways parents can help students with the college application process.]
3. Encourage teens to ask for help: Seniors juggling jobs, school and college applications might become overwhelmed, Wibstad says. That’s why it’s important that they plan ahead and keep in touch with school counselors on what’s needed and when for their applications.
She tells students to not be afraid to ask for help but to do so before holiday breaks, because school officials won’t be available then. And parents can help teens maintain open communication with school officials.
Likewise, parents with application questions can work with their child’s high school counselor or college admissions offices.
4. Monitor teen’s emotional health: In the midst of everything teens have going on, parents should create and encourage opportunities for their students to take care of their emotional health during the holidays, Poncelow says.
That could include taking a two-hour break for a hike, to cook a meal together or to set up a Christmas tree, she says.
[Discover tips for teens finishing college applications on New Year’s Eve.]
Wibstad tells families with seniors to remember that, while it can be better to apply early to college, there’s still plenty of time in the months ahead to finish applications.
Poncelow says, “Find the space to enjoy the season as well.”
Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.
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Help Teens Balance Jobs, College Apps During the Holidays originally appeared on usnews.com
