Preparing Your Child for CEGEP

Your child got a taste of choosing their courses in Secondary IV and V (math, sciences, etc.). Now they have to decide what CEGEP program to take based on their career goals. There are a number of things you can do to help them make an informed decision:

• Talk to them about their options
• Discuss why they’re leaning towards one program over another
• Discuss why they’re leaning towards one school over another
• Identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Encourage them to make an appointment with a guidance counsellor
• Visit CEGEP websites to learn more about their programs
• Go to open houses
• Etc.

Going from high school to CEGEP is a pretty big jump. Students have more autonomy, but also more responsibility. You can help prepare your child by talking over what they can expect.

Here’s what your teen should know about CEGEP:

• The school year is shorter (two 15-week semesters)
• Full-time studies typically means 15 hours of class per week
• Classes are usually 2 to 3 hours long (including a break)
• Students have to manage any learning difficulties more independently
• Individualized education plans apply only to students who’ve received an official diagnosis
• Their grades will affect their chances of getting into more competitive university programs
• Etc.

There’s no secret recipe for academic success, but organization is a great place to start. In theory, your child has been developing and experimenting with various organization strategies since elementary school. With CEGEP on the horizon, you can encourage them to keep up good habits:

• Using an agenda
• Setting priorities
• Dividing work into smaller tasks
• Making time to have fun
• Etc.

Many CEGEP students work or take on internships. Consequently, it’s essential that they learn to maintain a good work-study balance. To ensure your teen stays on the right track, you can help them do the following:

• Determine the ideal number of hours they should devote to work
• Set their own limits
• Choose an empathetic employer
• Identify signs of burnout
• Etc.

Anxiety looks different for everybody. It has a wide range of symptoms, including migraines, insomnia, and digestive problems. It can also come through in more insidious ways:

• Absenteeism
• Lack of motivation
• Exhaustion
• Etc.

Here are some activities you can suggest to help your child better manage their anxiety:

• Going for walks
• Listening to music
• Doing relaxation exercises
• Drawing mandalas
• Etc.