The Runway: How to Prepare Teens for What’s Ahead
At Westendorf Educational Consulting, we believe in providing students with a runway—the time, space, and support they need to take off confidently into the next phase of their lives.
Whether it's preparing for college, or navigating high school milestones, teenagers thrive with a long enough runway to process, build courage, and step into the uncomfortable or unknown.
What Is "The Runway"?
The runway is the intentional space we give students to:
Understand what’s coming
Develop their own opinions and confidence
Learn how to make thoughtful, educated decisions
Practice coping with discomfort instead of avoiding it
Just like a plane can’t lift off without momentum, teens can’t transition successfully without laying the groundwork.
Why Small Bites Matter
When it comes to the college process (or any big life shift), timing and tone are everything. If you fast-fire all the conversations at once—about testing, applications, deadlines, and decisions—it can shut down a teenage brain.
Instead, we recommend:
Spacing out conversations: Introduce topics like standardized testing, application essays, or campus visits gradually, not all at once.
Talking casually and consistently: Bring it up on a walk, in the car, or over dinner—places where there’s less pressure and a defined end.
Letting them lead when they’re ready: Once the seed is planted, teens often return to the topic on their own terms.
Need help navigating these college milestones? Explore our College Planning Services.
Avoidance Breeds Anxiety
Our friend and New York Times Best Selling author, psychologist Lisa Damour, wisely says:
“Avoidance breeds anxiety.”
And she’s right—especially when it comes to teenagers.
Teens are masters of distraction and avoidance, especially when a topic feels overwhelming or uncertain. But the longer they avoid, the bigger the anxiety grows. That’s why giving them time to sit with a topic—without forcing it—helps them stretch their coping muscles.
Think of it this way: Every small conversation is a rep at the gym. It builds their ability to face hard things, stay present, and eventually move forward with clarity and calm.
Tips for Creating a Runway at Home
Start early, stay light. Begin talking about the college process in 10th grade, not senior year.
Use natural touchpoints. Bring up scheduling, testing, or visits when relevant—not randomly or out of nowhere.
Stay curious. Ask open-ended questions like:“What kind of environment do you think you’d thrive in?”
“How are you feeling about next year?”
Normalize discomfort. Remind them that it’s okay to feel unsure—and that growth happens in those moments.
The Bottom Line
Teens don’t need all the answers at once. But they do need a runway—built slowly, thoughtfully, and with enough space to feel capable, not panicked.
This process doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right support, they’ll be able to approach college—and life—with greater resilience, confidence, and ownership.
Westendorf Educational Consulting is here to help you build that runway—whether your teen is a freshman or a rising senior. With personalized college planning, we walk beside families through every stage.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your teen’s takeoff—one step at a time.