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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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.

What’s the Difference Between Leave of Absence and Withdrawal from College?

January 13, 2025 by Vicki Nelson

Perhaps your student has had a difficult time at college. It happens – more often than many of us realize. There are many reasons your student may struggle, including academic issues, social issues, health or personal issues. Whatever the reasons, some students can power through, and others may decide they need to take a break from school.

If your student has decided they need to leave school, Withdrawing from college may seem to be the only option. Withdrawal is certainly possible, and is appropriate for many students. But another option may be a Leave of Absence. Before your student makes a final decision about what to do, it is important to understand, and discuss, the differences between Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.

Essentially, a Leave of Absence is a temporary time away from school with the intent to return, while a Withdrawal is a more permanent leaving. Both options are big, and sometimes difficult, decisions and should be considered carefully. They can involve strong emotions, feelings of disappointment, shame, and fear. Your student may feel sad, or numb – or may feel relieved and optimistic about a break and/or a fresh perspective.

Why Your Excellent Student May Be Failing in College

December 18, 2024 by Vicki Nelson

Your student sailed through high school. They had a reputation as an excellent student throughout their school years. They won awards, or were named consistently to the honor roll, or even valedictorian of their class. You were proud. They were proud. Everyone was confident of their success in college.

But something happened.

How is it possible that this excellent student, this conscientious, motivated student with an outstanding academic history is failing one or more classes, perhaps even considering dropping out or facing probation or dismissal?

Transitions are difficult for everyone, but shouldn’t your “good” student be able to weather this transition? Why do some students, who fared so well in high school, seem to have exceptional difficulties?

Students who have always done well may be especially at risk because they are not prepared for the challenges or obstacles they may face in college. They haven’t experienced the discomfort of hardship before. They haven’t had to work their “resilience muscle.”

Students who have had difficulty throughout their early school years, who have struggled regularly with their academic work, who have needed and used help and support, and who have overcome significant challenges, may be in a better position to face the new challenges college presents. They are experienced “strugglers” who have developed their ability to handle – and overcome – difficulty.

For students who have never before found school difficult, this new, unfamiliar threat may feel frightening and overwhelming.

Why Midterm Is Decision Time for Your Student

March 11, 2024 by Vicki Nelson

For many students the midpoint of the semester feels like a shock. How can the semester be half over already? How can I still have so much work to do? Is that really what my grade is at this point of the semester? It feels as though we just got started and it’s time for midterm exams!

This midterm surprise can be a good thing. For many students it’s a wake-up call or a reality check. This is where you are. This is what’s left. This is what you need to do.

For other students, midterm can be an affirmation that they’re on the right track. They need to continue to do what they’ve been doing.

Still others may realize that a little tweaking will make a difference by the end of the semester. They’re headed in the right direction but need a little fine tuning.

Information gathering

The first thing your student needs to do at midterm is gather as much information as possible. Midterm exams can be a valuable source of that information. An exam can give your student feedback about how well they understand the material.

Focusing on a Word in 2024: Resilient

January 8, 2024 by Vicki Nelson

Happy New Year! We needed to let the holidays settle and give everyone time to get their bearings this year before tackling a look ahead. Although we often try to get those important resolutions made before January 1, sometimes there’s more clarity after we’ve recovered from the busy holiday season.

But now it’s time to look ahead.

Some of us make resolutions. Fewer of us keep those resolutions. Some of us choose a Word of the Year (WOTY). Some of us hope for the best, and some of us just move ahead – perhaps feeling the optimism of a fresh start or just continuing as usual. How we deal with the close of one year and the opening of another is a very personal choice.

Here at College Parent Central we’ve taken different approaches over the years (and yes, there have been a lot of years by now.) In the past we’ve offered some resolution suggestions for college parents and students. We’ve offered some suggestions for high school parents and students. We’ve thought about what makes a good resolution. We’ve suggested activities for the new year, people to thank, and even offered a few “one-and-done” resolutions. Two years ago we suggested some options for the WOTY approach. Last year we narrowed that down to suggest a particular word – power. That word is still an apt one and we explained many reasons why in last year’s article. Whether or not you decide to choose a word, we highly recommend going back and reading about power as you and your student look ahead to the new year.

This year, we’re going to continue with the Word of the Year approach because it makes sense. Besides, it’s easier to hang on to a single word than to remember (and live up to) a string of resolutions!

Helping Your College Student Control the Overwhelm

March 6, 2023 by Vicki Nelson

We’re all stressed these days and students are no different. They’re stressed and anxious and struggling with their mental health now more than ever. It’s not very comfortable when we feel stressed and anxious, but it’s worse watching someone you love struggle.

A certain amount of stress is a normal part of college life. After all, there are assignments and papers and projects and exams and grades and social life and future careers to worry about. But when stress slides into feeling overwhelmed by everything, it can feel too challenging to manage.

What is overwhelm? It’s when your student feels submerged, smothered and paralyzed by it all. A certain amount of stress may be normal, but overwhelm feels like too much.

Why the overwhelm?

Students are juggling a lot. They have schoolwork, possibly a job, a social life, perceived pressure to do well, expectations to live up to, increased responsibilities and independence, overscheduling and probably a lack of sleep.

What’s Going On with Your Student in Trouble?

November 25, 2022 by Vicki Nelson

It’s possible you may be taken by surprise if you learn that your student is struggling or in trouble – especially academically. You didn’t see this coming and wonder how you missed it.

On the other hand, you may clearly see that your student is in difficulty but wonder how your student is missing it – or at least not talking about it.

Of course, there are other times when no one sees it coming and everyone is taken by surprise. Trouble may have been brewing for a while, but it seems to have come out of nowhere.

My student won’t talk about it – or even admit there’s trouble.

This can be especially frustrating. It’s obvious that your student needs help and you’re willing to support them in finding it. But your student seems to be shutting you out. What’s going on?

“I’m embarrassed and ashamed because I’m failing some of my classes. I’m supposed to be able to do this work and my parents – and the rest of my family and friends – expect me to do well. My parents are paying a lot of money and now it’s wasted. The college must have made a mistake in admitting me. If I don’t tell anyone about this maybe they won’t find out.”

Review: The Disintegrating Student

September 26, 2022 by Vicki Nelson

From time to time, we like to review some of the books available for parents of college students. There is a wealth of literature available to help parents cope with the transition to college and the changes that occur throughout the college years. We’ve offered some lists of recommended reading, and there is something for everyone. Visit our Resources page for suggestions of important books for college parents and their students.

The Disintegrating Student: Struggling But Smart and Falling Apart . . . and How to Turn It Around by Dr. Jeanine Jannot is a book that will help any parent with a falling-apart student – or any parent who worries that their student might someday struggle. What Jannot recognizes, and explains so clearly for parents, is that many (most?) students will reach what Jannot calls a “rigor tipping point.” According to Jannot, “These students all had a history of outstanding academic achievement. . . And then, often without any apparent warning, some of the best and brightest of these conscientious, motivated kids seemed to fall apart, both academically and emotionally.”