Transition Time
by Jennifer Pollack | Monday, Jun 25, 2018
Transitioning to Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Parents
Spring is the time of year when we celebrate our students who are graduating from high school and moving on into the world! While we acknowledge them for their hard work and breathe a sigh of relief as parents, we need to take a moment during the festivities to plan for transition. Starting out on a new path can be challenging for young adults. There may be uncertainty, fear (for both students and parents), and a lack of clarity about what to prepare for.
When discussing transition with your student a great way to begin is to talk about and plan for each facet of life: education and learning, employment/financial, safety, spiritual, social/relationships, and recreation/leisure.
Some initial questions to facilitate the conversation might include:
- Has the student identified career interests?
- What are the educational requirements for jobs in that field?
- What is the best option for post-secondary education: university, community college, vocational training school, or apprenticeship programs?
- Is it the right time to continue attending school or is a gap year or internship experience a better fit?
- How is the student going to financially support him/herself?
- Will he/she have a part-time job or work full-time? If not attending post-secondary training, will the student begin on a career path?
- What type of housing environment helps the student feel safe and supports independent living?
- What are some circumstances that may be dangerous or promote risky behavior?
- How can we prepare for those situations?
- Are there spiritual connections or activities the student will participate in during transition?
- What clubs, activities, and outings are available to join for social support and relationship building?
Managing the logistics of young adulthood with the added learning curve of living independently can be overwhelming for students. Most young adults haven’t experienced the responsibilities of taking care of themselves while managing financial obligations or the demands of academia. Course registration, college disability accommodations, and employment services often require advanced planning that students may not be prepared for. Encourage your student to create a timeline with goals and help him/her develop a schedule for the first month or two of his/her new adult life. Review important information and practical skills as part of your discussions. Basic proficiency in financial management, cooking a meal, roommate etiquette, and what to say during a job interview is very useful. The transition process is an opportunity to teach your adult child how to start navigating the adult world.
Prepare for the transition process early! Transition is a time of change and successful transitions come from a combination of communication and planning. Help your student with these preparations while you support him/her in learning how to go from being a high school student to being an adult. When we plan for transition, we increase the likelihood of successful independence.