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Twin Cities Mom Collective

Planting the College Seed

I know for many of you, it’s hard to even think about your kids going to kindergarten, let alone college. I can’t believe I’m already at that stage. It seems like just yesterday that I was changing diapers, pushing a stroller, playing at the park and getting up for midnight feedings. Instead, my life lately has been consumed with college visits, filling out applications, editing entrance essays, and talking about the difference between loans, grants and scholarships.

Planting the College Seed | Twin Cities Moms Blog

There are many things I’ve learned about the college application process these past few months, some that I wished I’d known when my kids were younger and some that I’ll still be able to apply as our younger two prepare for college. Even if your kids are more toddler room ready than dorm room ready, I love the idea of planting the college seed early.  Here are a few ideas:

  • Take more road trips!
    • We’ve taken our kids on some amazing and exotic trips and have had wonderful times together at our cabin, but it wasn’t until we started looking at colleges that I realized we hadn’t taken our kids to very many U.S. destinations, even within Minnesota. Our daughter is interested in schools all over the country, but she didn’t really know the differences between an East coast culture, a West coast culture and a Midwestern culture, things that are hard to understand by reading a college brochure or website. If it fits within your budget, expose your kids to lots of different types of cities and cultures and talk about what they’re feeling and seeing and liking and disliking while they’re there. Get them thinking about what it would be like to live somewhere other than their current home.

Planting the College Seed | Twin Cities Moms Blog

  • Send your kids to camp!
    • When your kids are old enough, send them to a cool camp based on a college campus. There are so many options to choose from…language camps, athletic camps, art camps, etc. There are several camps held right here in Minnesota, many at private colleges around the state. This experience will give them exposure to what it’s like to live on a college campus and is also a nice way to build up their confidence and independence by staying away from home for a few nights.

Planting the College Seed | Twin Cities Moms Blog

  • Save early!
    • I can’t stress this one enough. Set up a 529 Educational Plan or something equivalent and start saving right away. Even if it’s $10 a month, get into the habit of putting money towards your kid’s education. Instead of grandparents spending $30 dollars on birthday presents, have them spend $20 and ask them to put the other $10 in your child’s 529 fund. Those dollars add up quickly and, just like your retirement fund, the earlier you invest, the greater the compounding rate! Even if your college funding strategy isn’t all figured out yet, invest anyway. It’s easier to slow down contributions than to try to make up ground later. For a reference point, the University of Minnesota costs $22k a year. New York University costs $70k per year. Per YEAR. Which do you think my kid is most interested in?

Planting the College Seed | Twin Cities Moms Blog

  • Sell it!
    • Talk about college early and often. Even when they’re young. Call it sleepover school or school camp or whatever. I know a traditional 4 year college education isn’t for every kid, but I’m a firm believer that some sort of post-secondary education is necessary in this day and age. Talk to your kids about school after high school and let them know about all of the different options…explain how additional schooling will help them get better paying jobs. Look for older role models for your kids (think babysitter, older cousin, neighbor) and have them talk about their college aspirations or experiences.

Planting the College Seed | Twin Cities Moms Blog

As I mentioned in my earlier post on Toddlers to Teens, don’t wish away today because tomorrow will come soon enough. But, on the other hand, with a little foresight and planning, you and your kids can sail into the college years armed with the information, funds, and motivation to make good decisions and ease the stress that surrounds the college preparation experience!

Wish us luck as we continue our college search!

photo credits:
Tax Credits via photopin cc
clappstar via photopin cc
Chris Doelle via photopin cc

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