#130 – A New Approach to Career Readiness – and What Does a College President Do, Anyway?

March 19, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

Vicki and Lynn were thrilled to be joined in this episode by Jay Gonzalez, president of Curry College, to learn more about what college presidents do and why it matters. With his background in business, politics and law, Jay brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on what it means to lead a higher education institution today. Jay also described the groundbreaking Curry Commitment, a job guarantee program that is the only one of its kind in Massachusetts and one of only a handful of similar programs in the country. We discussed the importance of career readiness and how the college is weaving the necessary skills throughout the four-year program. Of course, we also talked about parents, and our conversation highlights the pivotal role parents play in their children’s college journeys.

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Does Your College Student Have Both Study Skills AND Study Habits?

March 10, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

We want our students to do well in college. Most students want to do well in college. Colleges want students to do well in college. So if everyone has the same academic goal for students, why do so many students struggle?

Of course, there is no easy answer to this question. Most students try hard. Most parents support their students. And most colleges have continued to increase what they do to help students find support and improve their study skills.

There are books written about study skills. There are study skills websites and study skill coaches and tutors. Colleges offer workshops and classes where students learn about study skills.

So back to the original question. Why do so many students struggle academically?

#129 – Raising a Self-Driven Child: A Conversation with Authors Ned Johnson and Bill Stixrud

March 12, 2025March 5, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

In this episode, Elizabeth and Vicki are joined by education experts Ned Johnson and Bill Stixrud, authors of the book The Self-Driven Child and of the new workbook for parents, 7 Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child for a thought-provoking discussion on how to empower your child to become self-driven, allowing them to navigate their own educational journey with confidence and independence. We tackled the intricate dynamics of parenting children as they transition to college and the overarching message was clear: encouraging self-management and resilience is vital for students facing the pressures of academic life. Join us as we dissect these ideas and outline practical steps that parents can take to ensure their students thrive – in college and beyond.

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College Parent News and Views – February 2025

February 28, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

The more that college parents know and understand about the college experience, the less we worry and the better we will be able to help our students to succeed and thrive throughout their college career. However, there is an overwhelming amount of information out there on the web. We’d like to help you find some of the information that might be most interesting and useful to you as a college parent.

In News and Views we share recent college related news and sources we’ve found as we do our research. We hope that this feature will help to introduce you to new ideas and to help you keep up with some of the current issues that may affect your college student – and you.

We invite you to read some of the articles suggested below – and to let us know what you think of some of the ideas included here in the comments below.

Why It Isn’t Enough to Know About College Resources

February 24, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

Sometimes, just knowing isn’t enough. How many of us know we need to get more sleep, eat more healthy food, or get more exercise? That doesn’t mean we get those things done. We know, but we don’t do.

College students are no different. Knowing something doesn’t mean they act on what they know. They know they should get more sleep, but most don’t. They may know they should study more, but they find other things to do with their time. They may even know they spend too much time on their screens, but they can’t pull themselves away. No surprises here.

Is there a problem?

When it comes to college resources, the supports that colleges provide, there’s a disconnect.

As colleges work harder to help students succeed and thrive, they create more and more resources – tutoring centers, writing centers, speaking centers, health centers, mental health counselors, advising centers, career centers. The list is long. And most colleges have launched aggressive campaigns to make sure students know about all of the resources available to them. But many of these resources are underutilized on campus after campus.

#128 – Help Your Student Complete Challenging Required Courses

February 19, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

Almost all colleges have a set of required courses for all students – sometimes called General Education or Distribution courses. They’re designed to expose students to a variety of different subjects and disciplines. But what happens when that particular area or course is especially challenging for a student? How do they face this mandatory course that can seem so daunting? Some students may assume or wish that they might receive an accommodation that will waive the course, exempt them from having to take it, or at least modify the course to help them be more successful. But that rarely happens. In this episode Elizabeth and Vicki talk about how students can tackle these tough classes head-on. With the right strategies, such as sequencing courses carefully, engaging with professors, and seeking early tutoring, students can not only survive, but thrive in these challenging environments. We share practical tips for staying organized and proactive to overcome these potential academic hurdles.

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A Dozen Quick Care Package Ideas

February 10, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

Care packages. Students love to get them and, most of the time, we love to send them. They make a connection. They send a message to your student that you’re thinking about them.

There are many services you can contract to send a package – or a series of packages to your student. If you’re pressed for time, that’s a great way to reach out. But there’s nothing like a personal care package, one you put together just for your student, to really say, “I’m thinking about you.”

If you’re not sure what to put in your personal care package, check out our earlier article full of ideas. And if you want to add one or two fun new things, the list below may give you some ideas. All of the items below (except the two books) are under $20 and can spice up your package.

Check out this list and our earlier article and then let your imagination take over. Any time is a good time for a care package – and you can never send too many!

#127 – Encore Episode – Navigating College Financial Decisions: An Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Ron Lieber

February 7, 2025February 5, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

If you are in the midst of the college search and admission process, financing this college education is likely top of mind. Merit aid is an important part of many financial packages and there’s no one better to talk to about the topic than Ron Lieber, financial columnist for the New York Times. It’s so important that we decided to share this episode again. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Ron talk about his Merit Aid course, a great way to get a head start on understanding how it all works.

Vicki and Lynn spent this episode in conversation with Ron Lieber author of The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make. Ron helped us unpack how complicated the financial aid system is and how crucial it is to understand how it works. The Price You Pay for College examines how our feelings and our ideas about success affect the choices we make about what we are willing to pay for college. Ron also shared information about his new course for families that helps them understand and navigate college Merit Aid.

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College Parent News and Views – January 2025

January 31, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

We invite you to read some of the articles suggested below – and to let us know what you think of some of the ideas included here in the comments below.

Why Withdrawing from College Can Be a Brave Decision

January 27, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

More and more students are taking a winding path through their college career. Many students still take the direct, traditional path – enter college and graduate four years later. A few students take the fast lane and graduate in less than four years. Still others take the slower route and take longer than four years, adding an extra semester or finishing in five or even six years. For a large percentage of students, taking a break – withdrawing from college – is part of their journey.

If your student is one of those considering a break – deciding whether or not to withdraw from school, it can be a scary time. You wonder what your student will do, whether they will return to school, and you wonder whether your student is making a wise decision. Even if you know this is the right decision for your student at this time, the situation can still be scary.

Withdrawing from college – leaving school before completing your degree – is a serious decision and for many students, it is not an easy one. But your student is not alone. According to the Education Data Initiative, approximately 23% of first-year students withdraw from school. It may help to try to understand why so many students leave, what to consider if your student is leaving school, and why this can, indeed, be a very brave decision.