Preparing your High School Senior to Leave for College

Jul 13 2023 | By: InSite Creatives

Preparing Your High School Senior for College

 

Sending your high school senior off to college is a bittersweet moment filled with mixed emotions. As a family and senior photographer, I have had the privilege of witnessing and capturing these precious moments that mark that tenuous transition from childhood to adulthood. As a parent of little ones, I feel time passing quickly, and I know this day will be here before I know it (and before I'm ready!). In my discussions with so many parents of juniors and seniors, here are some of their best tips and ideas that I’ve gleaned over the years:

 

  • Capture the feeling of home: Before your high school senior leaves for college, capture the essence of home in a photo session or snapshots that they can frame or bring with them. Choose meaningful locations that hold sentimental value, such as their favorite park, childhood home, or the local coffee shop where they studied. These images will evoke nostalgia and provide a beautiful reminder of their roots as they embark on their new journey.
  • Plan a bucket list together: Help your senior create a bucket list of activities and experiences they want to accomplish during their final year of high school. This can include attending school events, spending quality time with friends, visiting favorite spots, or exploring new places together. Making a priority of these events will bond you together, and provide them with lasting memories as they leave the nest. 
  • Capture milestone moments: As you already know, senior year is filled with milestone moments that deserve to be treasured. Don’t forget to capture key events such as prom, graduation, or receiving college acceptance letters. These photographs will become cherished keepsakes, serving as a reminder of their accomplishments and the support they received from their loved ones during this last year of high school. 
  • Create a homesickness kit: Compile a personalized college survival kit for your high school senior. Include essential items like photos of family and friends, motivational quotes, their favorite childhood toys, or even a scrapbook documenting their journey so far. This thoughtful package will provide comfort during moments of homesickness and serve as a tangible reminder of the love and support waiting back home. You may be surprised how much that package means to your senior. 
  • Support the emotions: Everyone in your family will probably have strong feelings as the time to leave for college approaches, and that includes siblings and even grandparents! Make emotions a regular topic, and something that can be shared openly. This will invite everyone to communicate regularly and express how they are coping, and will also help your high schooler to feel more willing to share their own feelings. 
  • Stay connected: Thankfully, technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected with your college-bound senior. Encourage regular video calls, care packages, and surprise visits whenever possible. At the same time, if you sense that too much contact is causing things to feel harder for your senior, gauge the frequency and make adjustments. Consult with other parents of high school seniors or even a professional therapist to find the best course of action if your grad is struggling in their first few months. 

 

Sending your high school senior off to college is an emotional milestone, but it also opens the door to exciting opportunities and personal growth. As a family and senior photographer, I encourage parents to embrace this transition, create lasting memories through photography, and stay connected with their college-bound seniors. The moments you capture and the love you share will be cherished forever, serving as a reminder of the unbreakable bond between parents and their children, no matter the distance!

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