Is this pandemic changing education for teens and young adults?

Education today looks much different than it did a few short months ago. Many high-schoolers are sitting alone behind computers, instead of in classrooms filled with peers. We've been forced to rethink education. We've had to throw out the easy answers, the assumptions about "how things have always been." 

This environment offers the perfect opportunity to question everything and really figure out what's right for every child. Some kids will be perfectly happy (and compliant) with online learning. Others might do better with hands-on activities, which require a bit more creativity and patience from parents. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education. 

So why do we still take a one-size-fits-all approach to students after high-school graduation? We often assume that the natural path is to go on to a four-year university. But is that truly the right path for everyone?

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A friend of mine spent five years at the University of Florida, and now she makes gorgeous cakes. She struggled with classes and eventually dropped out to do what she had really wanted to do all along: go to culinary school. If she had felt comfortable pushing aside the tacit expectation of earning a Bachelor's degree, she would have saved herself years of grief--and tuition payments.

There's a real cost associated with going to college, especially when it's not the right choice. And that cost can follow students for years, in the form of student loan payments. The average student borrower in the US graduates with $35,395 in debt. Imagine amassing all that debt, only to realize that you'd rather do something entirely unrelated. 

Is College The Right Choice? 
It can be difficult for us as parents to consider not sending our kids off to college. But now is a great time to put aside that expectation, along with others we've made about our kids. Let this be a time of self-exploration, where they can think about what's next for them. Let them step away from online learning to think about these questions:

• What do you want to do after high school? Encourage your child to really dig into potential occupations by talking to people in the field. They may find that the path to their dream career doesn't always begin with a four-year degree. 
• How much do you enjoy school? Four years of school is, well, a lot, for a student who truly hates the classroom, or who struggles to learn in a conventional post-secondary setting. 
• What do you hope to gain from college? This is the time to explore the pros and cons of college. If your child is hoping for an "Animal House" experience as an engineering major, he could be in for a rude awakening! 
• Would a gap year be appropriate? For some students, taking an intentional gap year to explore other options might be the best approach. And given that universities may cancel in-person classes until 2021, a gap year might give students a better opportunity to have the freshman year they've been dreaming of. 

You Don't Have to Make These Decisions Alone
These are big, important questions, and exploring them can be emotionally fraught for both parents and teens. The good news is, you don't have to do it alone. Through the LifeQuest program, you'll help your teen design a future they'll love, and plan the steps to make that future happen.

Normally offered in the summer, LifeQuest is available now, so that your teen can make the most of this time at home. 

If you'd like to learn more, you're invited to schedule a free consultation. On our call, we'll talk about your family and your child's unique needs. If LifeQuest seems like a good fit, I'll let you know. If I think your family needs support in some other way, I'll point you in the right direction.

Schedule a Free Consultation

This is an unprecedented time. You don't have to figure this out on your own.