We’re thrilled to be celebrating the 50^th episode of the College Parent Central Podcast! We hope we’ve shared helpful information, advice and support in our first 50 episodes. We had fun brainstorming 50 helpful tips for parents and students to celebrate our 50^th episode. They range from “Go to Class” (for students) to “Don’t Call Professors” (for parents.) Find the suggestions that speak to you and your student and see how many you can practice right now. Thanks for joining us on the journey so far!  We look forward to our next 50 episodes!

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Sophomore and Junior years make up half of your student’s time in college. Yet these years don’t often get the attention that those transitional first and last years receive.  In this episode, Lynn and Vicki explore the unique nature of each of these middle years and discuss the challenges and the growth that your student may face and how parents can best support them.

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In this podcast episode we had an opportunity to talk with Laurie Hazard and Stephanie Carter, about their book Your Freshman Is Off to College: A Month by Month Guide to the First Year. This book should be on every new college parent’s bookshelf.  Laurie and Stephanie highlight information about healthy transitions from high school to college, how to support students in their growing independence, and how parents can shift into their new coaching role. Listeners will not want to miss the wealth of knowledge and experience that these professionals share.

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So many mysterious terms and acronyms to understand when your student heads off to college! In this episode Vicki and Lynn define and discuss several of the insider terms that colleges use that may not be clear to parents. We cover topics from FERPA through disability laws, admission waitlists and various faculty roles. We’re only scratching the surface of this new language, but it should get you started being able to understand and Talk the Talk.

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In this episode writer Marie Force shares the story of her son’s journey as he struggled with learning challenges throughout school. Now that Jake has graduated from college (with honors!) and is headed to graduate school, Marie recounts her personal journey as a parent. Marie’s story will inspire parents whose students might be struggling. Helping your student find their motivation and staying optimistic will be key.

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In this final part of our summer college preparation series, Lynn and Vicki discuss how to support your student on Move-In Day and throughout their first six weeks on campus. Parents and students who are prepared for the emotional peaks and valleys of transitioning into the world of college, are better able to feel in control of their experiences. In this episode we offer suggestions for how to support your student on this exciting new journey.

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Summer is a perfect time to begin conversations that will help both you and your student prepare for the transition to college.  From roommates to money to autonomy and independence, these conversations will help your student articulate both their concerns and expectations and help you get to know your student in a new way. Because Lynn and Vicki are both college professors we also leave parents with a homework checklist of tasks to complete before the summer ends.

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This podcast episode is Part 2 of our 3-part series on using the summer to help your student prepare for college.  In case you missed it, be sure to listen to Part 1 in episode #043 – Using Summer to Help Your Student Prepare for College.

Our next episode – Part 3 in the series – will cover more about Move-In Day, the transition for everyone, and the first few weeks of the semester.

We talked in this episode about some of the important conversations to have with your student during this important summer.  Some of them were conversations we had with our own kids as they headed to college, and some were conversations we missed and wish we had talked about.  Topics include communication with your student, important money conversations, FERPA, roommates, cars on campus, and more. Pick and choose the ones most appropriate for your family.

We also referred to some earlier podcast episodes that can help you follow up on some of these topics.

#005 – Communicating with Your College Student

#021 – College Roommates: Navigating This Complex Relationship

#027 – Student Anxiety: Helping Your Student Cope

Because we all need some summer reading, we suggested that you listen to a couple of our episodes that suggest some great books for parents and students.

#020 – Our Favorite Summer Reads for College Parents

#041 – More Summer Reads for Parents – Two Authors, Four Books

#040 – Our Favorite Books to Share with College Students

#038 – The Addiction Inoculation – An Interview with Author Jessica Lahey

Finally, at the end of the episode we gave you a homework checklist of things for parents to do over the summer. Be sure to listen to why these seven items can make a difference.

1. Look at the college website with new eyes.
2. Get familiar with the college catalog.
3. Check on all insurance needs and requirements.
4. Get some summer reading done – and stock up for your student as well.
5. Make any needed hotel reservations for Family/Parents’ Weekend.
6. Make a plan for your own transition to your new role.
7. Find the friends who will be your support system this fall.

Don’t forget that you can listen to all of our previous podcast episodes here or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Let us know what you’d like to hear about on future podcasts! Leave a comment here or email us at podcast@collegeparentcentral.com.

So many decisions! The summer before college is filled with a flood of information, decisions to be made, and a roller coaster of emotions. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki share advice about what to expect during this crossroads summer. They suggest ways you can help your student organize their tasks and make important decisions about the fall.

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The scholarship application process can feel overwhelming and complicated to many students and their parents. In this episode, scholarship coach Janet MacDonald shares some of the secrets to making this process more approachable and productive. She helps us understand when to start, what to do, how to get organized and how parents can best support their student. According to Janet, there are more scholarships available now for more types of students than ever before. If you have a student heading to college, this is information you need.

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The college journey actually begins in high school, so don’t wait until your student is in college to give them food for thought about the college experience. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn discuss some of their favorite books for you to share with your student. Reading these books will inspire students to take charge of the next step in their lives. Topics include making the most of your college experiences, understanding how your brain works, coping with health concerns on your own, and listening to advice from students who’ve gone before you. Several of these books will make ideal gifts for your high school or early college student (and don’t forget to sneak a read before you pass it along!).

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