Category: <span>Videos</span>

Are you worried that your child will not be able to succeed in college? Concerned that your child will be dishonest with you if there are problems?

This brief clip covers tips to minimize the risk that your child fails out of college by finding and aligning with people who can provide support and help.  It also provides ideas for using what leverage you still have effectively to increase the likelihood that they succeed.

Slide Notes

Contact counseling department, Resident Advisor (RA), fraternity/sorority, teachers, etc.

▪Insist on Release of Information prior to sending them to school

▪Get to know the RA, friends, instructors each time you visit

▪Pass on your number so people can call/text if they see something go bad

▪Focus on anxiety explanation – everyone can relate to that

Don’t rely on their self-reporting

▪Watch for room cleanliness – barometer

▪Get grades, attendance records, check portals if available

▪Occasionally text friends, RA, etc. to check in.

▪Go visit – both planned and spontaneously depending on distance

Control the Purse Strings

▪Watching the money gives you both insight and leverage

▪Consider credit cards with low limits or Guaranteed pre-paid cards – Good for establishing credit.

▪Debit cards or specific credit cards that manage/monitor spending i.e. Greenlight credit cards

▪Use food cards to monitor consumption – beware they can be “sold”

▪Use Do-vs-Lose (money) if they have problems/issues (This is for readers who use Alternative Teaching’s Fair But Firm Model.)

In this shortened clip from the “Tips for Selecting a Post-Secondary Options” Webinar, James Kling discusses several viable options for students with special needs after high school.

Slides notes:

▪Be focused -Keep your eye on the end game. The goal is to get the skills that will help obtain a secure, well paying job.

▪Be practical -Stay away from “toilet paper” degrees -If they are not planning to move past a bachelor’s degree, make sure the degree is in a major that has practical application.

▪Be realistic -Video game design isn’t a viable option (typically) – Learning coding is very helpful, but it is unlikely that they will end up writing video games scenarios.

▪Be wise -Focus on degrees with license or certificates (i.e. nursing, dental assistant/hygienist, ultrasound/ophthalmic technician, etc.) – These jobs provide flexibility and well paying in demand jobs.  They can create options for government positions.

▪Be proactive -Check job openings, career projections before selecting an option.

Considerations for the Trades

▪Automotive repair – Requires constant schooling, due to computer interfaces.  Not for students that will not enjoy ongoing schooling

▪Plumbing – Limited changes in field, may be good for those who are not interested in continuous learning.

▪Welding – Good for solitary people with creativity.  Can pay quite well.

▪Painting – Requires patience and structure. Possibly good for those that need routine and structure.

▪Carpentry, Electrician, Sheet Metal, etc. – Immediate results and the reward of income.

▪Construction worker, warehouse, landscape – Often seasonal work – Often hard manual work, which can be good for people who need to get out energy.

▪Retail, fast food, etc. – Requires people interaction.  If social interactions are difficult, this may not be a good fit.

▪Crane operator, heavy equipment, etc. – Requires licensure, but can pay six-figure incomes.

Jr. College Pros and Cons

Pros

▪Good to save money and typically close to home

▪Take care of prerequisites – focus on interesting course work at university

▪Certificate programs and licensure i.e. nurse, truck driver, etc.

Cons

▪Typically water downed courses leave students in for academic shock at university

▪Can’t spread their wings, living at home, no break for them or family, stay in potential rut, etc.