Is middle school too early to begin planning for college?  That is a question I frequently hear from parents.  My response to them is pretty simple:  a solid foundation is easier to build upon in high school.  Certain activities undertaken in middle school definitely set the stage for high school success.  There are a few key areas in which parents can help support their students during the middle school years.

Forming good study habits early on will serve students well not only as the move on to high school, but also as they matriculate through college. Good homework habits include being organized, prioritizing homework by importance and deadlines, balancing homework with chores, athletics and family commitments, and completing all assignments.  Parents should have a plan for checking in regularly about their child’s schoolwork via the school’s online system (for example School Loop), monitoring homework folders, and scheduling parent-teacher conferences. Early identification of academic challenges and enlisting appropriate support is important. Setting academic and personal goals for the year helps students to have a point of focus, and makes it easier to manage progress along the way; achieving goals is a great motivator!  Develop an understanding of how test scores from school-wide standardized tests are used, especially the role scores play in placement for high school classes. Encourage students to explore and get involved in extracurricular activities including school clubs as well as community and civic organizations.  Let students see what it feels like to be on a college campus by visiting schools in your area or as an activity during family vacations to other cities or states.  Sometimes just being on a campus may get your child thinking about and interested in college.

An often overlooked area for parents to support their middle school students relates to managing stress.  According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 43% of 13- to 14-year olds say they feel stressed every single day; and by ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59% (American Psychological Association, Stress in America Findings, 2010).  Parents can help their children with stress management by monitoring their health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings; watching for overload; and learning and modeling stress management skills yourself.

Check out College Board’s Big Future website for more tips (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org). Remember that the habits we help our children form will last a lifetime, shaping their success in school, at work, and in the community.  The more a child achieves, the more he/she will want to achieve.

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and resident of Evergreen.   She is the founder of Educational Pathways with Antoinette Battiste, a consulting practice that provides college planning and counseling services to high school students and their parents. We focus on the individual needs and talents of students and guide them to find the best match for a great college experience.  For more information about upcoming workshops, available services and additional college planning resources, go to www.antoinettebattiste.com, email adviser@antoinettebattiste.com or call (408) 270-1930