Encouraging your teenager to make good decisions

Try to get them to:

• concentrate on what THEY want. Dissuade them from doing something just to be part of the crowd.
• give themselves lots of time to research their ideas. And make sure they use up-to-date information.
• consider ALL the options open to them.
• apply on time for all the options they are interested in. They can make a final decision when they know their results.
• apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) as soon as possible. Even before a place has been confirmed.
• have a back-up plan. Their exam results might be better than expected – or worse.
• think ahead. Do they need to think about higher education? What qualifications and subjects will they need?
• ask for help if they can’t find the answers to their questions. Or if they really don’t know which route to take. There’s plenty of help and advice available to them – and you.