7 Things Graduating High School Seniors and their Parents Need to Know

 1.  Psychologists tell us that the two greatest times of change in a person's life are birth to age one.....AND  High School Graduation to Christmas.  

Boom!  You just hit major life change time.  Both student and parents. All of what has defined you is changing.  You are no longer "the smartest in class", or a cheerleader or Captain of the team.  It is a time of figuring out, who am I really.  Parents are also figuring out how to do this new stage of more free and yet being a help.

2.  A major cause of conflict between new grads and parents is that they see things from opposite ends.  

High school seniors/grads see it from the end that assumes the best possible thing will always happen.  Parents see it from the end that the worst possible thing could happen.  Usually, the truth is somewhere between the two extremes.

Grads need to understand that parents are trying to protect them....not hold them back.

3.  For those going to college:  the first 3 weeks are the most important of your whole college career!  What you do then goes a long way toward determining your success or failure in college.  You will make your friends.  You will get into a pattern and schedule.  Some blow off the first 3 weeks and get so far behind they literally destroy or damage their whole college career.

Luke 2:52 says, "Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."  That is all about balance in life.  Get into a pattern of sleep, study, exercise, healthy relationships and eating right.

A Survey of 100 Arkansas State University students asked, "What's the dumbest thing you did as a freshman?"  The 3 Top Answers:

    3.  Not taking college seriously.....it's harder than high school (either classes or the freedom...or both!)

    2.  Not going to class.....no one checks on you and no one makes you.  The easiest thing you can do to do well in college is go to class.

    1.  Not getting involved in campus activities and hiding out in my room or just hanging with my former high school friends.  National studies show that students involved in campus activities are more likely to be happy, stay in school, and graduate.

4. Practicing your faith has to be an intentional choice.  Four out of five high school seniors active in church make NO spiritual connections in college.

3 Main Reasons:

    1.  Not making an intentional choice and priority of it during the first 2-3 weeks.  College is busier than high school.

    2.  Proving independence.....no one is making me get up and go or checking on me.

    3.  Tough questions raised about faith by professors and other students.  Just because you don't know an answer does not mean there is not an answer.

5.  You need a posse.  Friends matter!  Pick your friends by your priorities...not your priorities by your new friends.  Want to make A's?  Be friends with others who want to make A's  Want to grow as a Christian and make right choices?  Make friends with others who want to grow as a Christian.  You get the idea.  You will likely be like the people with whom you spend your time.

6.  A National Study on Dating and Marriage shows something pretty shocking!!  You will marry someone you date!!!! Don't date someone you would never marry.  Lots of college students admit they are dating someone they would never want to marry.....but then many marry that person.  Date stupid - Marry stupid!

7.  You have a new start!  Who and what do you want to be?  Even if you did it wrong in high school...now you get to start over.  Success or failure in high school does not automatically repeat in college.

Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith & Good Grades, is available at Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9.