While not every student is destined to go to college, most homeschool parents want to at least ensure it’s an option. This puts some additional pressure on the parent to not only give their child an adequate education but also emphasize life skills that will be beneficial in a post-secondary environment.
If all this sounds like a tall order, it can be – especially if you’re determined to check all the boxes for college readiness.
However, preparing a student well depends on many ever-changing factors, including the child’s aptitude, goals, and expectations for their own life. A kid who once wanted to be an engineer could change gears to announce their interest in art just a few months before they are set to graduate high school. Also, college readiness applies to all students, including the average student who may attend community colleges or state schools.
That’s why it’s impossible to know every detail of what they’ll need in college. (We don’t have a Magic 8 ball for life, after all!)
So, how can a parent equip their student for success? What do they truly need to ensure college readiness? There are no set rules for getting it right, but here are some facts about college prep you may want to consider.
Understanding college readiness
College readiness is a crucial aspect of a student’s academic journey. It encompasses the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that a high school student should possess before enrolling in their first year of college. Being college-ready means that a student has the necessary academic preparation, personal qualities, and life skills to succeed in a post-secondary education environment. Understanding college readiness is essential for students, parents, and educators to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the challenges of college life.
You can learn a lot by listening
By as early as 8th grade, parents should consider asking their student(s) about their plans for the future. Conversations should be around interests, both for a potential career and hobbies. Students with an ear for music or an interest in math should be supported to dive deeper, something that homeschooling is naturally set up to allow.
You can also start exploring potential college majors early on and understanding the requirements for different paths, such as prelaw or premed.
Use these discussions as a starting point for unit studies, summer camps, or new co-op classes. It’s also the ideal gauge for the dual enrollment courses your child can take as they get older.
Just don’t get too attached to any one career path. Kids will (and do) change their minds often.
Dual enrollment isn’t all or nothing
When it does seem time to consider dual enrollment, don’t feel pressure to sign up for everything. In fact, a cautious approach may be best for kids who perform well at home or in co-ops but haven’t done a 100% online course yet. Even one course can help them dip their toe in the water. It also allows you to guide them in time management, learning the classroom technology, and communicating with teachers. Preparing for dual enrollment can also help students get ready for the increased reading and writing demands of college coursework.
Parent tip: Looking for the right course for a first-time dual enrollment student? Fundamentals of Public Speaking is a popular pick for younger students who feel comfortable recording a delivered speech.
Students get better over time
Not all students adjust to their dual enrollment courses right away. They commonly have questions, get nervous about tests, and even fumble through the reading assignments. There’s a small but very real learning curve for those who have never taken an online course.
Having the right support can make a difference for new students. Look for programs that encourage communication with the teacher and offer customer service departments for parents to contact with questions.
Watching your student as they work through the first few lessons (but not assisting with quizzes or tests) can assure them you’re close by if they need anything. After they master the technology and pacing of the course, they should be fine to work through it on their own. You can remind your child that you’re there for any problems, but giving them full autonomy empowers them to be more successful in college. (It’s also required for them to earn college credits fairly.)
Mistakes matter (but not in the way you may think)
Even if your student is bright, organized, and trustworthy, they may find the dual enrollment courses challenging. That’s to be expected of any program that offers rigorous coursework in an accredited environment.
Hopefully, you can guide them to correct their mistakes and take accountability. The process should lead to better time management skills and real-world experience that prepare them for what’s ahead.
So, what happens when your student messes up? It depends on the goof. Very few mistakes can’t be fixed by talking to the teacher, revising work, and buckling down to do better the next time. Just be sure the student takes the lead and handles all the communication.
However, issues like plagiarism are generally not forgiven and may result in a student’s removal from the program.
Parent tip: Use the time before dual enrollment to discuss what’s cheating, what’s not, and how technology like AI plays into the conversation. MIT Technology Review offers a good starting point for important discussions.
And yes, it’s true that college credit stays on the student’s transcript forever. That means the dual enrollment coursework will show up when they apply to colleges in the future (even if they don’t request a transfer.)
However, lower grades can have their place in a college application. If your student can frame the experience as a learning opportunity that helped them get ready for college, it won’t be the end of the world for even the most competitive students.
Mistakes now, while still in high school, have far less impact on the academic career than when the student is in college. So, if there’s going to be a learning curve, it’s best to go through it in the 10-12th grade instead of when enrolled in a university program where a scholarship or financial aid is at stake.
How to beat the trend of “unreadiness” with college preparation
Study after study shows that students aren’t as prepared for college as they were in past decades. An Edweek article reveals that college freshmen may struggle with basic math, writing papers, or even reading texts of 20 pages or longer.
This sad state of affairs isn’t something educators know how to fix across existing systems, but many homeschoolers are trying to make a difference with their own students. One way to boost academic readiness is to try college courses before college so you can address needs and correct them before they become a problem for a future professor.
With Mid-America Christian University (MACU) courses powered by TEL, you can choose the dual enrollment course your student is most likely to excel in, and use it as a stepping stone. Each course offers the rigor of a college education in a focused online environment that fits into your homeschool schedule.
Looking for a place to start? MACUs UNIV 1121 First-Year Evangel course is just one credit. Upon completing the course, students will have participated in learning projects aimed at building confidence to successfully meet college expectations.
Sign up now, and begin your college prep journey today.
