How to Know if Your Teen is Ready for Dual Enrollment Classes

If you’ve decided to homeschool high school, dual enrollment classes have probably come up at some point. But before you jump headfirst into dual enrollment classes, you want to make sure your teen is up for the challenge. You don’t want to realize after spending money on college tuition your teen wasn’t really prepared.

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Six Signs Homeschool Teens are Ready for Dual Enrollment

Most homeschooled teens begin taking dual enrollment classes their junior or senior year. How do you know if your homeschool teen is ready for dual enrollment and what can you do to prepare them? Keep reading for six signs to know your homeschooled teen is ready for dual enrollment classes.

If you have a four-year plan for your teen, build in opportunities for them to meet these six requirements. For extra confidence, there is a Career and College Readiness class teens can take before beginning college classes.

Teens Should Have Good Time Management Skills

In order to succeed in a college environment, teens need to be able to manage their time wisely. They should have a good balance between work and leisure and know how to prioritize those things they must do before those they want to do.

Teens should know how to structure their day and week to get through their schoolwork and chores on time. A history and habit of turning in homeschool work in a timely fashion is an indicator of good time management. If they are in constant need of extensions, forget assignments or chores, choose fun over work, they are not ready for dual enrollment classes.

Knowing how to prioritize their time is essential. We tell our teens responsibility means never having to be reminded. How often do you need to remind your teen to accomplish their work? If they need frequent reminders, they may not be ready for dual enrollment classes.

Teens Should be Self-Motivated, Independent Learners

Teens who take charge of their learning and know how to search out information on their own are good candidates for dual enrollment classes. They should also show the ability to take initiative and action for their goals.

These two traits will be expected from professors. Students who have mastered them beforehand fare much better in college classes.

In addition to this, teens should have good study habits. If they need to improve their study skills, I recommend this class on 8 Steps to Powerful Studying

Teens Need to Be Confident Being Their Own Advocate

College professors will not talk to parents. They will only deal with the student, regardless of age. This means it is important your homeschool teen feel confident in approaching their instructors with problems or concerns. Even if those are related to the instructor.

Teens need to be confident being their own advocate.

During my daughter’s first dual enrollment class, her instructor docked her attendance points for arriving late. She was traveling over 20 miles at rush hour and leaving from another class. She couldn’t leave any earlier and depending on traffic, couldn’t always arrive on time. My daughter had to take the initiative to talk with her instructor. After explaining her situation, her instructor agreed to replace the lost points.

She has had other experiences where she felt she received an unfair grade and had to be the one to approach her instructor.

Discussing issues as they arise with the instructor is part of taking a dual enrollment class.

Teens Need to Be Effective Communicators

This goes along with the previous point. Teens will be in classes with other adults. They need to be comfortable carrying on conversations with adults. But they also need to be able to express their thoughts in a clear and precise manner. They need to know how to listen without interrupting or getting frustrated when someone isn’t listening to them.

Teens Need to Be Mature Enough to Handle an Adult Environment

Unless your teen is taking dual enrollment classes online, they will be in classes with other adults. Some students may able be a few years ahead of them and some may be older than you. But one thing is certain, an adult environment is different.

Your teen will be exposed to ideas and values that are in opposition to what you teach at home.

Teens may be teamed up with individuals with criminal or questionable backgrounds during class assignments. They may experience unwanted sexual advances from older individuals or become involved with slightly older students.

They will have easier access to individuals willing to buy them alcohol, cigarettes, or vape pens.

Discussing these scenarios with your teen beforehand and role-playing how to react is beneficial. If you feel like you’d be sending them to the lion’s den, waiting is probably best.

Teens Are Ready for College-Level Course Work Through Dual Enrollment Classes

Last, but certainly not least, homeschooled teens should be ready for college-level coursework. Dual enrollment classes have heavier workloads than they may be accustomed to as well as an increase in difficulty. Teens should be prepared and willing for the challenge.

The accuplacer tests required before registering for English and Math classes will ensure they aren’t completely in over their heads. But they may still be surprised.

In my experience, the type of classes they are wanting to take also plays a part in the difficulty level. Play to your teen’s strengths when choosing classes.

You can always begin with one class as a way for your teen to test the waters. There’s nothing saying they have to sign up for a full course load straight away. Most homeschooled teens will do a combination of dual enrollment and homeschool classes.

When Choosing Dual Enrollment Classes for Your Homeschooled Teen

If your teen is hitting all six milestones and you know dual enrollment classes are in their future you’ll want to be wise when planning what courses they take.

One thing to consider when choosing classes is whether they will transfer to the college your teen will be attending upon graduation. You or your teen will need to do some research to answer this.

Some state universities have a partnership to accept community college credits, but only under certain conditions. For example, if you are doing an Associate as a transfer degree, they will accept all the credits. However, without the transfer degree, they may only accept a few. If you are looking to transfer the credits to an out-of-state college, you may have the same issue.

You also want to make sure they transfer as what you are intending. If your teen is taking a general education class, you want to make sure it transfers as gen ed and not an elective.

To find the answers, reach out to the guidance counselors at both the attending college and the expected transfer school.

Maximize Your Homeschooled Teens Chance for Success in Dual Enrollment Classes

Dual enrollment classes are a great tool homeschoolers can take advantage of. With the right preparation, they can confidently advance their higher education and career goals. Making sure they meet these six requirements will maximize their chance for success.