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If you are a parent and you are ready to send your son or daughter away to college, there are a few things you need to consider.

Community college student Marisa Hoard said, "I wasn't ready to go away on my own yet. I know a lot of kids aren't ready either."

When considering if you son or daughter is ready for college, there has to be a degree of commitment from the student.

Brian Durant, Vice President of Student Affairs at SUNY Adirondack, said, "They understand they are going to regulate their own behaviors, manage their time to do their work. Students have to commit themselves for that success and understanding that it is going to be work."

A community college may be a great option especially if the students grades or motivation needs work, or simply they don't know what they want to study.

Durant said, "Many students are not quite sure what they want to do, but where are they are choosing to go. They have the opportunity to explore and to put their foot into the water to test things out and help them to set up a future path even if they are not sure."

Hoard said, "The commute was a lot easier for me, and I pay for it on my now so the price was a lot easier."

Most parents can determine if their child is independent and responsible enough for college dorm life.

"I'd like to go off campus to college. I've been going away for nine years ever since I was ten. Pretty and independent now. I think I am ready."

And if your son or daughter does eventually go away to live on campus, there will be things to keep an eye on.

Adolescent Psychiatric Dr. Allen Stefane said, "It's the first time they have ever been independent. They are going to have exposure to drugs, peer pressure they have never seen before, lots of adult responsibilities, sexual activity, these are all things children will be exposed to in college."