Let's Stop Talking About College

Just about everyone I know loves the holidays, if for no other reason than we have a nice long break from school.  It's so much fun to catch up with alums who are home on break, and for my current seniors, the application part of the college process is pretty much behind them.  However, there can still be a lot of pressure on students.

Well-meaning relatives and friends love to ask high school seniors questions like "Where have you applied to college?" "Where are you going to college next year?" "What is your major going to be?" "Have you been accepted yet?"  Even those college students are not immune to inquisitive minds.  "Have you found a job yet?" "Do you know where you're going to live?"  Or perhaps even the dreaded "Do you have a special someone in your life yet?" 

This year let's vow to stop the craziness!

The majority of GPS seniors (and other students) do not know where they're going to college right now.  They've just completed their applications and are trying to catch their breath.  They know that somewhere, someone is about to read that application and decide their fate (okay, it's not that drastic, but it can feel like that to the girls).  They've talked about almost nothing else but college for months, they written countless drafts of their essays, and they've had their applications proofed and tweaked and buffed: it would be nice if they could just think about something else - like presents, parties, and some time with their friends.  And they deserve the time off.

College students have their own issues.  If they are nearing the end of their collegiate career, they are most likely trying to decide their next steps.  Graduate school?  A career?  A move to another city?  Even if they are in the middle of their college life, the questions are endless, and chances are they don't need the rest of us to remind them how much there is left to accomplish. 

So, I have an idea.  Why don't we let them be?  Instead of asking them about their plans, why don't we just congratulate them on being where there are.  Perhaps we could tell them how proud we are that they've made it this far, and that we know whatever they decide to do or wherever they decide to go, we believe they will make the most of it.  Just say "Congratulations. You've worked really hard to get to this point, and we can't wait to see what you do next."  Encourage visiting family members to do the same.  Run interference for them at church or other gatherings.  Let them know it's okay to kindly defer the question with a simple "I'm going to wait and review all my options, and then I'll be ready to talk about it." 

Let's stop talking about college for a while.  Enjoy the holidays with your daughter and revel in the time you have left with her at home.  College will be here soon enough.