The role of parents and other family members changes when youth transition to the postsecondary setting.
In the postsecondary setting, parents and family members are no longer involved in every decision concerning their youth's education. In addition to developing valuable life skills, youth will have an opportunity to experience greater independence, meet new people, and explore their interests and the world around them. Sometimes youth must be given the opportunity to fail and learn from those failures. At other times, youth need the opportunity to shine. Continued family support and encouragement will help youth find success in the midst of transition.
Though the tendency during high school is to focus on academic requirements for postsecondary admission, it's just as important to prepare youth emotionally and socially and to foster the life skills that will be needed in the postsecondary setting.
