Discussing your educational experiences with your child is a great way to help them make the most of their higher education journey. Here are some handy pointers for getting started.
Each educational journey is unique, and sharing your milestones is a great way to provide valuable insights into the world of higher education. Discuss the aspects of your education you enjoyed the most and explain how these experiences contributed to your personal growth and development.
Maybe your time at university made you who you are today, or perhaps you opted for a different route and considered it the best decision ever. Think back to how you balanced your studies with your social life or give tips on how you managed your finances. You can also share any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Whatever your experiences, your child can benefit from learning about your formative years.
How to engage your child in conversation
Firstly, remember that children enjoy hearing stories about their parents’ younger years. Stories like these help young adults gain a sense of identity and get insights into their next chapter.
Perhaps you could share photos from your time at college or university – these can be excellent ways to engage with your child. Opening with an amusing or embarrassing story is another great way to get their attention!
As with any meaningful conversation, timing is everything. So, pick your moment carefully so that it’s not rushed. You could even plan a trip with your child to where you studied. This could be an opportunity to show them some of your old haunts – places you lived or studied or your local bar or café. Share how these locations shaped your experience and gave you cherished memories.
What to talk about
Here are some additional talking points to share with your child:
- The many higher education options available, or the benefits of apprenticeships or going directly into work.
- How long each route takes, and what funding might be required.
- The qualifications they’ll need to pursue each of these options, and what the application process looks like.
Chat with them about challenges you experienced
In addition to sharing how you benefitted from higher education, you can also share any challenges you faced. This can help young adults prepare for the realities of the higher education experience.
For example, you could share the challenges you faced balancing studying with social life. Perhaps you studied too hard and struggled to make friends – or were such a party animal that you neglected your studies. These sorts of conversations will help introduce the topics of time management and maintaining a healthy balance.
Sharing your experiences with managing your finances can also help your child learn how to make higher education a success. Talk to your child about how you funded your studies – and what lessons you learned.
Did you work part-time, and if so, where? How good were you at sticking to your budget, and what do you wish you’d done differently? These topics will help your child understand the importance of financial planning.
Other ways your child can find guidance
It’s never been easier to access information on career pathways, with an enormous amount of information available online. Good starting points include Talking Futures, Prospects and UCAS.
Your child will also have the option of talking to a qualified careers advisor via their school or college, which can help them understand their options even better.