Actividades para prepararse en la continuación de los estudios
This content is also available in:
English (Inglés)
If your teen is preparing for college, this is a crucial time to help them grow into the responsibilities of adult life. While academics are important, college success also depends on a student’s ability to manage their daily routines, social life, and personal needs independently. For students who are blind or low vision, this includes navigating campus life, advocating for themselves, and staying organized — often without a parent nearby to guide them.
As your child approaches this transition, your role naturally shifts from managing to mentoring. By gradually encouraging your teen to take ownership of their routines, decisions, and problem-solving, you’re equipping them for the challenges and opportunities of higher education. The following activities can help your teen build confidence and competence in key areas of adult life.
Independent Living Skills
A successful transition to adulthood depends on your teen’s ability to take responsibility for their own daily life. Encourage them to:
- Practice self-care: Manage personal hygiene, clothing choices, and daily routines independently.
- Develop cooking and meal prep skills: Learn how to prepare simple, balanced meals.
- Strengthen time management: Use planners or digital tools to balance schoolwork, chores, and social time.
- Maintain technology: Care for their own assistive technology devices, such as screen readers, braille displays, or adaptive keyboards.
- Build organizational skills: Manage paperwork, assignments, and personal belongings effectively.
- Practice transportation skills: Use public transit or rideshare apps, and plan safe travel routes.
Your teen should also continue to develop blindness-specific competencies, such as orientation and mobility skills, braille or large-print reading proficiency, and strong assistive technology skills.
Academic and Study Skills
Strong academic habits lay the foundation for college success. In high school, encourage your teen to:
- Research independently: Gather information for projects using reliable sources, both digital and print.
- Communicate with teachers: Practice explaining their accommodation needs clearly and assertively.
- Take their own notes: Use shorthand or digital note-taking methods and prepare backup strategies if technology fails.
- Learn effective study habits: Review material regularly, create study schedules, and participate in study groups when possible.
- Manage deadlines: Request appropriate time for assignments when needed, rather than asking for modifications that lower expectations.
These skills will prepare your teen to advocate for themselves in college and handle the academic workload with confidence.
Social and Community Skills
College life isn’t just about academics — social integration is just as important. Support your teen in:
- Participating in extracurriculars: Your teen should join clubs, sports, or arts groups to build friendships and relieve stress.
- Practicing social communication: Role-play introductions, group conversations, and professional etiquette.
- Building self-advocacy in social settings: Encourage them to speak up when they need accommodations during group activities or meetings.
- Balancing social and academic life: Practice setting boundaries between schoolwork and leisure time.
A few strong, supportive friendships can make all the difference in how your teen experiences their first year of college.
Preparing for Independence
Encourage your teen to explore agencies in their future college area that provide blindness-specific training in areas such as orientation and mobility, assistive technology, employment readiness, and independent living. Planning ahead ensures they know where to turn for support once they’re on their own.
Housing decisions are another important step. Involve your teen in evaluating factors such as cost, safety, and proximity to public transportation. Whenever possible, visit potential dorms or apartments together so your teen can practice evaluating their living environment.
A Final Note
The leap from high school to college marks a major shift in your teen’s independence. No longer surrounded by familiar routines or a built-in support team, they’ll need to take initiative — whether that means doing laundry, meeting deadlines, or finding their way across a new campus.
Your teen’s path to independence won’t happen overnight, but each opportunity to practice life skills now will help smooth the road ahead. With your ongoing encouragement and trust in their ability to grow, your teen will be ready not only to manage their education but to take the lead in shaping their own future.
Learn More: