How to Prepare Your Home Schooled Student for College

A college education used to be an option. Now it considered a necessity in order to be successful in most any career field. Public and private schools plan their programs to prepare their students for college. Home schooling parents should also provide for their students' education with the goal of higher education in mind.

SCHEDULE

One of the most enticing aspects of home schooling is a flexible schedule. You do not have to "punch a time clock" or meet strict time standards. However, it is advantageous to both parents and students to have a weekly schedule so you can monitor progress. Sit down at the beginning of the school year and make a monthly schedule for each subject. Then break that down into weekly goals. At the end of each week, you can evaluate how time is being utilized and decide if you need to spend more time on certain subjects and less time on others. This will prepare your child for adhering to a college schedule and using good time management skills to study between classes.

CHALLENGING CURRICULUM

Another of the benefits of home schooling is the myriads of options for curriculum. You are not bound to any one publisher or system; you can choose what works well for your child's learning style and your teaching preferences. With the goal of college entrance in mind, choose curriculum that is challenging enough to require some study and the use of higher level thinking skills, but not so hard as to be frustrating. Take a look at your state's graduation requirements to get an idea of what subjects are included in a college preparatory program. Use those requirements as a guide for setting up your own home school program of study.

INDEPENDENCE

When Mom is also filling the role of "teacher", it is easy for the student to become very dependent on her for decision-making. Home schooling parents must make a conscious effort to teach their children to look at all the options and make wise choices. This begins when the children are young and allowed to choose their own outfits for the day or which chore to accomplish first. At they mature, more freedom can be given at appropriate times, according to your family's standards. It is important that the student be well-grounded and able to make independent decisions by the time he goes to college. One of the best gifts you can give your home schooled student is the ability to make wise choices. Let him know you are always available for advice, but give him the opportunity to learn life lessons by dealing with situations.

Enjoy every minute of your home schooling experience. Build your child's foundation--educationally, spiritually and emotionally--day by day, as you prepare him for that next phase of his journey.