It is no secret that applying for college is rarely an easy and stress-free process, and many students may need their parents' help in various situations. Parents should be prepared for the application process, and can research helpful tips to reduce anxiety and make it less overwhelming.

The New York Times recently announced that eight senior high school students will be blogging about their experience applying for college. These blogs may help those who have children in high school who haven't reached their senior year yet.

Otherwise, there are things that parents can start doing right now to get a student ready for college. According to College Parent Central, parents can change a couple things at home, including buying their kid a working alarm clock and having them get up on their own, without any pestering. The parent may want to ensure that their kid knows how to back up all the information on their computer and how to deal with their finances. Also, time management skills are key, so try and encourage them to block out sections of their week for specific tasks. This will help them get used to looking at an entire week instead of just the day.