College Search 2.0

Here we go.  Again.

It is hard to believe that our family is walking down this path already, but journey has begun, and the search is on.  Nick had a “go” at the SAT last weekend, and we have visited 2 college campuses thus far.

Already, we have had more conversations about it than Nick would have liked and not as many and I would have liked.  This comes as no surprise – I drove even “mega-verbal” Elizabeth crazy during her turn at this, having to periodically take her on a “coffee date” to coax more discussion out of her.  BTW, when I tried the “Let’s grab something at Starbucks” deal out on Nick, he refused.  Maybe she warned him?

While we are finding ourselves in familiar territory, with the benefit of some experience and lessons already learned, it is also “brand new.”  Nick is unique, and his path isn’t going to look the same as his sister’s, or anyone else’s.  This is a fresh adventure, and it is up to him to set the pace and emotional tone.  That is a good thing because, well, honestly, my excitement and enthusiasm about it can be nauseating, even to me.

This time around, there are some things I’m doing in the same way, such as encouraging him to see himself as the “buyer” –  to do his research and find the school that offers the experiences and options he wants to have.  My heart’s desire is for him to attend a school that will be happy to have him, not treat him as though he is ‘lucky’ to be accepted.  (He’s amazing, afterall.)

There are also some things I want to do differently.  I am going to push to visit more campuses and examine other options for the year after high school, too.  Because, even when a really good decision is made for the first year, it is wise to know other schools well in the event that a change needs to be made.  One of the lessons that I hope Nick has learned from his big sister is that it is possible to know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life, and then to change your mind a few months later…and that it is entirely possible to continue to thrive in the midst of all of those changes.

While some people know exactly what they want to study after high school to prepare for the career they know they wish to have, I am sure that it is more common to have no idea.  So, instead of feeling pressure to choose the perfect career which would dictate the perfect college, at this point, my hope is that Nick will see the value in considering lots of options and simply choose where he’d like to be for his first year after high school.  That seems a lot more manageable.

So here we go. Again!

I’m thankful and happy to be along on Nick’s version of the journey, and since I want it to be enjoyable for us all, I vow to talk less and pray more.