Helping Your Teen Navigate the Transition from High School to College

Graduating from high school is a huge milestone, filled with excitement, possibilities, and often a little uncertainty. Whether your teen is heading to college, entering the workforce, joining the military, or transitioning out of foster care, this stage of life brings big changes — and your support is crucial.

At Augusta Pediatric Associates, we’re here to help you guide your teen through this transition with confidence, especially when it comes to their health, emotional well-being, and independence.

Here are some important tips for parents and caregivers:

Help Them Manage Their Health Care

Maintain Health Coverage: Ensure your teen has medical insurance after high school. Most young adults can stay on a parent’s insurance plan until age 25. If this is not an option for your teen, help them explore open market options or health care provided by their employer or school.

Teach Them About Accessing Care: Talk with your teen about how and when to seek medical care. Make sure they carry a health insurance card and understand how their coverage works.

Transition Plans for Chronic Conditions: If your teen has ongoing medical or mental health needs, develop a transition plan well in advance. Set up prescription refills, share medical history with college health centers, and introduce them to local providers if necessary.

Support Their Mental and Emotional Health

Prepare for the Emotional Ups and Downs: It’s normal for teens to feel homesick, lonely, or overwhelmed in the first few weeks after a major transition. Encourage them to reach out for help if needed and remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Scheduling check-ins on certain nights of the week with friends or family can be a good way to maintain healthy communication and ensure your teen has some familiarity in their new routine.

Locate Mental Health Resources: Research counseling and mental health support services available on campus or in the community, and make sure your teen knows how to access them.

Plan for Mental Health Needs: If your teen has ADHD, depression, an eating disorder, or other mental health diagnoses, coordinate with the college’s health center, Disability Office, or Academic Advising Office to arrange any necessary accommodations.

Promote Healthy Lifestyles

Encourage Good Habits: Eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep (8–10 hours a night), exercising, and managing stress are essential to staying healthy and focused during this transition. Your teen will likely start to slip into some unhealthy habits when it comes to diet and sleep as they adjust to their newfound “freedom” over their schedule and lifestyle, as well as juggling the schedule of school or work. While this is normal, it can be helpful to encourage them to get outside for a study break, or try to go to bed early before a big test or event.

Stay Involved: Stay in touch regularly, especially during the early months. Frequent check-ins can help you monitor how they are adjusting both academically and socially.

Guide Them Through New Responsibilities

Prepare for Adult Tasks: Moving from the structured environment of high school to the independence of college or work life can be challenging. Teach your teen about managing finances, handling bills, scheduling their own health care appointments, and other adult responsibilities.

Talk About Risky Behaviors: Alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity may become more accessible. Maintain open and honest conversations about peer pressure, healthy decision-making, and how to stay safe.

Know the Warning Signs of Struggles

Be aware of warning signs that could indicate emotional or mental health concerns:

Changes in sleep or eating patterns
Expressions of hopelessness or excessive moodiness
Isolation from friends and social activities
Significant academic decline
Risky behaviors like heavy drinking or drug use

If you notice these signs, encourage your teen to seek help immediately through campus health services or a trusted provider.

The transition from high school to college is a challenging time for both teens and their parents. Your role evolves as your teen steps into adulthood, but your support remains essential. At Augusta Pediatric Associates, we’re committed to helping families prepare their teens for a healthy, confident, and successful transition into their next chapter. If you have any questions or concerns about your teen making this transition don’t hesitate to contact us!

For questions, to book an appointment, or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.