Paving the Path from High School to College

Written by Art Herron

As a student leader in a local church, I watched hundreds of students graduate and attend college. But other than our traditional "Recognize the Seniors" breakfast and service, I did nothing to specifically help my students prepare for college. Don't fall into the mindset that there's nothing you can do. Here are some steps to take to help your students along the path from high school to college.

Leveraging Your Influence: Impacting College Students For Christ

Step One: Be a Friend
Your juniors and seniors wrestle with a number of issues about the transition to college: Where do I start? How can I meet that deadline? Who can I talk to? You as a leader can also be their friend by helping them and their parents through this process. Hold regular meetings with your juniors and seniors to make sure they're moving along in their college search and application process. Be a good listener when they ask questions, and if you don't know the answer, point them to someone who does.

Step Two: Be a "Minister of Introduction"
Look around in your church and community. You probably know a number of people who are involved in college students' lives in some way, whether they're professors, staff, campus ministers, or guidance counselors who help prepare high schoolers for college. If you know them, and you know students who need to know them, then you can be a minister of introduction. Get to know these key players in the collegiate world, and refer your students and their parents to these folks when questions arise. You may invite them to special events targeted at juniors, seniors, and their parents.

Step Three: Be Informed
If you don't consider yourself an expert on the transition from high school to college, educate yourself so you can help your students. With just a little effort, you can explore and understand:

• How students' faith is important in selecting a college
• The college admission process
• How to help parents let go
• Key steps in the application and the financing process
• Internet clues to college selection and application
• Learning how to finance college for five years
• Your role as a facilitator of parent support groups

You can become better informed by visiting with those who work on the college campus. Visit the admissions advisor, the campus minister, and the director of financial aid on one or more college campuses.

Certain Internet sites may also prove helpful related to college acceptance issues. And don't forget to check out your local bookstore or library. You might compile some of the information you've discovered and add a special section to your newsletter for your students and their parents.

Step Four: Be Intentional
Develop a yearly plan for informing students and parents about college preparation according to the information you have and the timetable when they will need it. You can be intentional about prepping your students in a variety of ways:

• Campus visits with your students
• A financial aid workshop for parents early in the school year for seniors and juniors
• Discussing vital spiritual truths with your students through discipleship
• Helping students improve their grades by offering advance training for the SAT and ACT tests
• Meeting regularly with your seniors and providing accountability for students to complete their college application forms on time

Step Five: Be Sensitive
Many student ministers are discovering how hard it is to maintain a consistent relationship with high school juniors and seniors through their programs. With the demands of school, work, and relationships, it may appear that there's no time for church activities.

But instead of being critical, ask your juniors and seniors to help you meet some of their specific needs. You might offer your Bible study lesson on a CD that students can listen to when they have time. You might also tag on some information about preparing for college. You might find that students want to blend their desire to attend college with a time of Bible study to prepare for college. Find out about their needs and think of creative ways to minister to them.

Step Six: Be Proactive
You've probably heard of the high rate of students who don't attend church after they enroll in college. Or maybe you know of the culture shock many students have when their faith is confronted in their new surroundings. Remember that amid all the practical preparation you offer, balance everything with biblical principles and spiritual preparation for college. Consider having a special Bible study just for seniors to ground and grow them in their faith while they're still in high school.

By being proactive in preparing your students for college practically and spiritually, you'll communicate your genuine interest in their lives and walks with Christ. Your Christ-like example and investment in their lives may help them to enter college with a strong faith that is their own.