| You may have a teenager that will be | | | | - What is their level of |
| attending college soon, or thinking | | | | self-sufficiency, doing laundry, looking |
| about it for when they are finished | | | | after their health, seeing a doctor |
| school. There are a few important | | | | when necessary, and medication? |
| questions that you should be asking them | | | | - What is their level or comfort with |
| well before their Last year in school to | | | | organizational tools and planning, |
| help them focus on what they want and | | | | planners, schedules, day timers, |
| make a good informed decisions about | | | | reminders? |
| what they want to study. Actually, the | | | | - Do they respect authority, communicate |
| best time to have this conversation is | | | | their needs effectively, and realise |
| when your teenager is just starting high | | | | they are solely responsible for their |
| school, so that he can have years to | | | | actions and subsequent consequences? |
| form his answers. | | | | - What is their level of maturity and |
| It is a very natural part of growing up | | | | readiness ? Would they be able to leave |
| - teens leaving for college. During this | | | | for college? |
| time, parents play a significant and | | | | Here are some suggestions to put |
| active role in facilitating this | | | | together in a little going away package |
| transition and preparing teens for | | | | for your teenager of items that they |
| college. | | | | will definitely need and appreciate when |
| Factors contributing to the success, | | | | they are away from home. |
| delay and/or failure of this preparatory | | | | - Nonperishable food items such as |
| activity include asking yourself and | | | | breakfast bars, ramen noodles and |
| others, including your teenager a couple | | | | coffee, tea or hot chocolate, are a |
| of tough, honest questions: | | | | must. |
| - Does your teen have good study habits | | | | - Recent pictures of the family or pets |
| well entrenched and developed | | | | always bring a smile. Send a disposable |
| successfully in their routine? | | | | camera and a self-addressed envelope |
| - What is the nature of your teens own | | | | along too. This way they can send some |
| self-discipline, self-motivation, | | | | pictures back. |
| responsibility and independence? For | | | | - Favorite soaps, shampoo and other |
| example getting up in the morning | | | | toiletries come in handy and help with |
| without you insisting on it! | | | | the budget. |
| - Do they have the ability to establish | | | | - Check out what is near their college |
| and maintain a healthy hygiene routine, | | | | and add a gift certificate, like to a |
| eat healthy meals, make good nutritional | | | | pizza restaurant or the closest food |
| choices without you? | | | | shops. |
| - What is the nature of your teens | | | | - Practical items, like new underwear |
| problem solving capability, would they | | | | and socks, will definitely be |
| know which steps to take, act with | | | | appreciated. |
| discretion, decisiveness, conviction and | | | | - New supplies for school, like pens, |
| appropriateness? | | | | notebooks, folders, will help their |
| - Are they successful in balancing | | | | budget, and cleaning supplies for their |
| priorities, school work, social life and | | | | room are probably needed. |
| extra-curricular activity, are they | | | | Pack it all in a storage container that |
| committed and goal-oriented? | | | | they can reuse. Wrap the gifts up in a |
| - How does your teen feel about leaving | | | | new towel, small bucket or other useable |
| the home, living away from home, leaving | | | | item. Get creative! Make sure you send a |
| for college? | | | | personal note or a card with the gift. |