Help Your Teen Envision Their Future

Event Date: November 10, 2026

There's more to ask your teen than "Where are you applying?" Many teens feel pressure to have their whole future mapped out, and that pressure can shrink their thinking right when exploring widely matters most.

In this BigFuture® Live event, we shared how to move the conversation toward "Who are you, and what do you value?" We went through reflection prompts, simple exercises, and BigFuture® tools, including the new Vision Builder. With Vision Builder, teens can create a vision board, put into words what they want for themselves, and see the big picture before choosing a college or career path.

Watch now for easy ways to help your teen picture what's possible.

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Key Takeaways

1. Shift the conversation from "Where are you applying?" to "Who are you, and what do you value?"

Next time college comes up, skip the list of schools. Ask your teen what they care about, what kind of life they picture, and what they'd like to be known for. Those answers make it much easier to spot the right schools later.

2. You're the right person to talk about this with your teen. You don't need college experience. You just need to be someone your teen can think out loud with.

Your job is to listen, not to have the answers. Ask a question, then let your teen talk it through, even if it takes a few tries. Saying "I'm curious what you think" goes a long way.

3. Keep it going. Treat this as an ongoing conversation, not a one-time talk.

You don't need one big sit-down. Pick a single question from the family guide and try it in a relaxed moment, like a car ride, a walk, or a game night. Then come back to it next week. Short, regular chats give your teen time to think.

4. Free tools on BigFuture.org, including the new Vision Builder, can help your teen imagine possibilities before narrowing in on specific colleges or careers.

Sit down with your teen this week and try Vision Builder together. It takes about 10 minutes, and there are no wrong answers. Your teen picks images that show the life they picture, answers a few guided questions, and ends up with a big-picture view to come back to. It's a low-pressure way to get ideas out before any college list shows up.

Speakers

	Femi Johnson Senior Director, College Access, Achieve Atlanta Femi Johnson is the Senior Director of College Access at Achieve Atlanta, where she leads efforts to help students access, persist through, and graduate from college. A proud graduate of Spelman College, Femi is passionate about educational equity and expanding opportunities for young people. Through her work, she collaborates with school districts, higher education institutions, and community partners to strengthen pathways to postsecondary success. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and remains deeply committed to supporting the next generation of leaders.
	Christy Conley School Counselor, North Oconee High School Christy Conley is a dedicated and compassionate school counselor who has dedicated her career to nurturing the academic, emotional, and social growth of students. With a heart full of empathy and a passion for learning, Christy is a beacon of support and guidance for both students and their families. Dr. Conley attended the University of Georgia, earning her BA in Psychology. She continued to earn a Master of Education in School Counseling through Columbus State University and a Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology with Argosy University. Christy has worked as a public school counselor since 2002. In Fall 2005, she joined the North Oconee High School and currently serves as the lead counselor. She is a member of several professional organizations and a regular presenter at regional and national conferences.
	Dr. Aleesa M. Reese High School Counselor, Georgia Dr. Aleesa M. Reese is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a high school counselor entering her 10th year in education and school counseling. She currently serves students at Pebblebrook High School in Cobb County, where she supports academic achievement, college access, and career readiness. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, her master's degree in School Counseling from Clark Atlanta University, her Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Counseling and Education from Georgia State University, and her doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University. As a BigFuture® Expert, she is passionate about helping students and families navigate the college planning process, make informed decisions, and access resources that empower them to plan confidently for their futures. As a proud HBCU alumna and first-generation college graduate, she is committed to expanding educational opportunities and helping students recognize the possibilities available to them.