Collaborative post by another author. When you are preparing to send your children out into the wild (or university) to stand on their own two feet, it is important to try to ensure that you spend time planning how you can ensure they are ready from some time in advance. There are so many things that you need to get right when planning and preparing your child for university, such as accommodation, location, and financing, but also skills which teach children independence and resilience. 

Try to consider what it takes to make the right choices, and this is something that plays a key role in allowing you to be more successful. You have to understand what it takes to make the right decisions here, and starting with them at a young age is a key part of the process. Here are some of the things you might like to consider when it comes to improving and assessing your child’s future at university .

It can pay off to start planning for University early

Instill Good Values

Instilling good values into your children at an early age is one of the best things you can do to help them make the most of University. We all aim to bring our children up knowing right from wrong, but before they get ready to leave for University it is important to encourage them to think about how they might behave in different situations. They will be exposed to more challenges and adult situations which they are not used to, but if you help them think through possible options in different scenarios and how they can get support when needed it will help ensure they make the right decisions when they need to. 

Teach Them the Importance of Learning

Teaching your kids the importance of learning is another important thing to do and there are so many factors that play a part in this. Making sure you teach your children why learning is important, and what it can offer you makes a massive difference to  the way they approach higher learning and education. It is important you focus on the importance of learning, making and effort and discovering new things rather than grades and achievements as in the long run children who have a growth mindset are often more successful and happy. There are many avenues for exploration and discovery if they are open to them.

It Starts at School

The importance of learning shouldn't start when they are about to head off to University though, throughout their time at school (and before) children can be taught the joy of learning new things and the joy that comes when effort pays off and they learn a new skill. While starting school may be a parenting milestone, it is just the first step in preparing children for life long learning where the process will gradually become more independent. 

There are a lot of ways you can work with your children to ensure they are happy and successful at University and these start by teaching good values and a love of learning. These are core beliefs that will benefit them whatever they do in life.  If you have then you can be confident they will be more prepared for the big step of leaving for university and being more self-reliant.