The 4 conversations to have with your teen in their final years of high school.

Parenthood is positively heaving with milestones. 

From the early days of first steps and words, through to starting school and learning to drive, the special moments come thick and fast. And your child entering their final years of formal schooling? That’s a biggie. In what may feel like a blink of an eye, that kindy kid with shorts down to their ankles and socks up to their knees is on the verge of the "rest of their life", where choices need to be made and decisions on what life after school might look like are being discussed.

If you’ve got a child nearing the end of their school years, here are the four conversations to have with them as they approach the next phase of their lives.

"How does ‘grown-up’ life look?"

Back in the olden days (aka the early 2000s) when I finished high school, there wasn’t a lot of chat about how you wanted to live life once the final bell sounded. 

Yes, there was the usual talk about what came next: further study, joining the workforce, but the big picture wasn’t really a ‘thing’. I certainly cannot remember discussing the idea of a hybrid work life where I could balance my own personal interests alongside my career, work with my employer to choose the hours that best suited my life and potentially, work from anywhere with a wireless internet connection. 

These were Future Things when I was that age, but very present things that our kids can now consider. 

No longer are their options limited to studying, working or travelling for a Gap Year. Having a conversation with your teen about how they’d like their life to look can help both of you gain valuable insight into the path they might need to follow to reach their goals. Is being able to work from anywhere a goal? Do they want to be able to choose their hours or work flexibly? Are there things that they are passionate about that they very much want to continue to be part of their adult lives? All these questions can help guide them in their decision making.

"What lights you up?"

Whether it’s creative arts or English, maths or music, the majority of teenagers will have subjects at school that they really enjoy and feel passionately about. 

Asking your teen not just what they’re good at, but what subjects they really loved learning about, or their favourite classes, is a handy way to gain insight into possible further study avenues. Beginning these conversations as your teen moves into their final years can provide time for exploration of all the different options that might be available to them, so that they can find the perfect fit. 

An undergraduate degree at a university like Edith Cowan University (ECU) that feels aligned with your teen's areas of interest can be the ideal next step into the world of further study. ECU, ranked one of the world’s best universities under 50 years old, is an institution that's all about creative ways of thinking and learning. Offering students a hands-on, experiential, industry-connected learning environment, an undergraduate degree at ECU can be the nurturing environment to help your teen flourish — and take the best step forward towards the foundations of a career and field that they feel super engaged and passionate about.

With a myriad of flexible study options (including at one of three WA based campuses, online and part-time options), your teen can also take ownership of how they construct their life while at university to find the perfect balance and fit with work and other commitments.

(Handy side note: ECU have a quick 5-minute quiz you can check out, that'll help teens pinpoint things about themselves, their preferences and how that can guide their future study choices.)

"What’s the plan for the next 12 to 18 months?"

While big picture thinking and encouraging our kids to dream is super important, having a discussion around the realities of life after school is also crucial. 

If your teen has been employed throughout their time at high school, they’ll very likely have some understanding of the current cost of living... but it's likely their work has always been second to their study. When you’re at school Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.00pm, and living at home, chances are they aren’t facing a lot of personal financial costs. 

Once school is finished, they’ll suddenly be faced with a lot more time on their hands and plenty more opportunities to part with money. Chatting with your teen about the realistic costs they’ll be accruing (travel to and from study or work, food, petrol, socialising and potentially rent while at home) can help them formulate an idea of how much money they’ll need to earn to stay afloat. 

If your teenager is also thinking about things like travel or even moving out of home, a plan for being able to afford to do so will need to be discussed and plotted out.

"How can we best support you?"

Some teens will have a very clear idea of what comes next. Others may have no clue. Likewise, some will feel confident in their plans (or lack thereof) while others may start to panic as they watch their peers move in the direction of their career or life goals. 

Discussing where your teen is currently at, and how they're feeling about any period of change is a crucial part of parenting at any age and stage — but even more crucial in the final years of school. This is where emotions (and hormones) are heightened, and teens feel the weight of expectation falling on their shoulders. 

Ask your teen how you can support them as they finish up their high school years and begin to firm up plans for the next stage of their life. What does support look like to them? Is it a parent who will dive in and explore further study options, attending University Open Days and seminars with them — or do they feel more comfortable doing their own research and reporting back to hear your thoughts? Are they happy for you to be involved in some of their decisions or do they want to make them for themselves and then workshop after the fact? 

Every teen will have a different idea of how their parents can support them best. Speaking with yours can help open up great conversations and allow you such valuable insight into their changing world and life.

Help your teen find an undergraduate course at ECU to match their career aspirations. If they want help choosing a course, try the quiz.

Feature Image: Getty.