As teens move from junior high to high school and later to college, the jump toward independence can feel both exciting and overwhelming. These transitions bring new responsibilities, shifting routines, and big emotional milestones, and every family finds its own way to make the journey smoother. To better understand what truly helps during these moments, we asked parents, “What one thing helped prepare your child for their transition from junior high to high school or from high school to college?” Here’s a selection of their responses.

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• “Getting information about the college of choice and making an appointment to visit the college. Meet with professors and check out the overall campus.” — Bobbie Bishop
• “Learning to be independent, doing things even if not sure.” — Dennise Alatorre
• “A good conversation about being their authentic self and just having fun in school.” — Alejandra Bahena
• “Studying and self-care.” — Alma Cuevas
• “Responsibilities. Allowing your child to make mistakes, forget things, and learn.” — Becky Thomas
• “Having our children in sports helped build their social skills.” — Cindy Blackhawk
• “Writing a list of their strengths vs. their struggles, so they can see what areas to work on, as well as what areas they would be best in.” — Carlianne Hodges
• “Summer school the summer before freshman year.” — Dana Shackelford
• “Sharing my own experience and telling her what she would probably learn.” — Tanya George
• “Just knowing that their friends are going to be there.” — Fedora A. Pelle
• “Pray for your children!” — Janae Berry
• “I take them to the library in order to find books for research. I have also prepared them by using YouTube videos on how to create notes and stay organized.” — Kamyelle Monsibais
• “Having open and honest conversations about the transition and making sure they know they can always count on us to be there for them.” — Karina Campos
• “Time management skills, good study habits and life skills.” — Linda Broome