Shows
College Parent Central Podcast#136 Summer Reads Season 6Searching for meaningful summer reading that might transform your relationship with your college student? Look no further than this curated collection of parent-focused book recommendations from higher education professionals Vicki Nelson and Lynn Abrahams.The hosts dive deep into six powerful books that address crucial aspects of the college parenting journey. "Sleep Deprived Teen" reveals the shocking impact of sleep deprivation on everything from academic performance to athletic abilities, with teens biologically requiring 8-10 hours of sleep yet averaging only 6-7 hours nightly. Meanwhile, "How to Raise a Citizen" fills the critical gap left by diminishing civics...
2025-06-1841 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#132 – What’s Your Student’s College Timeline?You send your student off to college and you’re already anticipating that Commencement Ceremony four years later. But traditional four-year college timelines are becoming less common as students forge their own unique educational paths. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn explore the various ways students navigate higher education today – from gap years that build maturity and purpose to mid-college breaks and an extra fifth year college experience. We discuss how these experiences often lead to greater confidence, improved communication skills, and most importantly, a clearer sense of purpose. We also emphasize how embracing flexibility in college planning and supp...
2025-04-1644 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#130 – A New Approach to Career Readiness – and What Does a College President Do, Anyway?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 a...
2025-03-1946 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#127 – Encore Episode – Navigating College Financial Decisions: An Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Ron LieberIf 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 ep...
2025-02-0842 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#126 They're Back! Parenting Our Boomerang KidsNearly half of recent college graduates are finding themselves back in their childhood bedrooms, and it’s not just nostalgia pulling them home. Financial pressures are nudging this generation towards a new developmental stage of life. These shifting family dynamics come with their own set of challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn explore the concept of "boomerang students" and share their personal journeys as parents navigating this transition. We discuss the practicalities of living with adult children, from negotiating household contributions to ensuring everyone maintains their independence. With open communication and a bit of humor, this li...
2025-01-2242 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#125 – Encore Episode – Second Semester of College: The Transition No One Talks AboutThe transition to second semester of college is so important – and often hidden – that we’ve decided to share this episode again. You and your student may be taken by surprise when the start of the second semester of college seems so difficult. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn explore why some students may experience the “second semester blues” and why some parents feel they need to increase their involvement. We share strategies you can use to calm your fears and help your student make the most of this fresh start. Thank you for listening! Much mo...
2025-01-0840 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#124 – Looking Back at 2024 and Season 5 of the College Parent Central PodcastThis is the time of year when we reflect on the year and another season of the College Parent Central podcast. It’s been a busy year for all of our cohosts, Vicki, Lynn, Elizabeth and Sarah. It’s always fun to get all of us together to share thoughts and stories, but our schedules just wouldn’t allow that to happen this year. So Vicki had a conversation with each of our cohosts and we share those conversations in this episode. We take a look at what’s happening in higher education, our favorite book/article/podcast recommendations for pare...
2024-12-111h 13College Parent Central Podcast#122 – Encore Episode - Signs of Trouble: How Do You Know If Your Student Is StrugglingOnce your child steps into the world of college – even if it is in the next room – both parents and students begin experiencing a new stage in development. Students are exploring the academic and social world of college; parents are exploring the experience of stepping back and watching them do it. But, it is also part of the parenting package to worry. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki highlight some of the signs that parents can watch for that may indicate that their student is struggling. All college students will hit a few bumps in the road, and the more p...
2024-11-0740 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#121 - College Lingo - Can You Talk the Talk? - Part 4So many mysterious terms and acronyms to understand when your student heads off to college! You’ll understand how college works better when you understand the strange terms they use. In our fourth installment of our College Lingo series, Vicki and Lynn define and discuss more of the insider terms that colleges use that may not always be clear to parents. In this episode we cover Blue Light Phones, Articulation Agreements, Federal Work Study, Course Modifications, Independent Study, and Micro Degrees and Certificates. If you missed Parts 1-3, with 18 additional terms, check out episodes #047, #057, and #098.Thank yo...
2024-10-1653 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#120 – Partnering with Your Student’s High School CounselorJust about anyone who has a student in school knows there are school counselors, but many of us don’t have any idea what they do. We know they provide guidance and assistance with college and career planning, but that’s just one part of the career that also includes social and emotional counseling and addressing academic needs – and for a national average of 250-400 students per counselor! With that much to do, for that many students, counselors need all of the help they can get. Parents who understand the work of the school counselor may be better able to par...
2024-10-0259 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#116 – Encore Episode - Transitioning from Summer to College: The Importance of the First Six WeeksThis subject is so important we decided to share it again. 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.Thank you for listening! Much more information...
2024-08-0744 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#115 – Zooming Out on the College Experience: Taking the Long (and Wide) ViewPreparing for and transitioning into the first year of college involves so many, many details, and it’s easy to get caught up in just getting through what needs to be done. Then the college experience can be taken over by the day-to-day details of classes, assignments, GPA, activities, friends, schedules, career planning and just surviving. While we all know it’s good advice to live in the moment, sometimes it can also help to take a breath, zoom out a bit, and look at the bigger picture. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki suggest why it’s important for yo...
2024-07-1735 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#109 – Encore Episode -The College Decision Dilemma: What Happens Once Those Admission Letters Arrive?Here’s an encore of an earlier podcast episode that we think is so important it deserves to be released again. If your student is making their decision right now, you may need to hear this. The college admission process begins earlier and earlier and sometimes seems to go on forever. When those highly anticipated acceptance letters begin to arrive, the process enters a new phase. The ball is now in your student’s court to make a decision. What is your role as a parent at this stage? In this episode Vicki and Lynn unpack some of the emot...
2024-04-1738 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#107 - Waiting to Fail: Holding on to HopeWe recently received an email from a parent with a question. This mom was concerned that in spite of a number of supports, her son was struggling and not doing well. She could see far enough down the road to be fairly certain he was going to fail and she wondered whether failing was the only way he would realize that he needs to use his supports more fully. This mom wants to hold on to the hope that her son will come through - and she asks for some strategies to guide him. In this episode Vicki and...
2024-03-2039 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#104 Meet the Team: Student Support RolesIn this episode we’re “meeting the team” in two different ways. We introduce you to our new College Parent Central podcasting team as we are joined by new cohosts Elizabeth Hamblet and Sarah Shane, and we also reintroduce Vicki Nelson and Lynn Abrahams for new listeners. But we’re also talking about the team of people at most colleges who are there to support your student. With so many different support roles it’s easy to wonder who does what. We discuss the differences between academic advisors, success coordinators, tutors, disability services and learning disabilities developmental programs. We also break...
2024-02-0755 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#103 – Encore Episode – Second Semester of College: The Transition No One Talks AboutThe transition to second semester of college is so important – and often hidden – that we’ve decided to share this episode again. You and your student may be taken by surprise when the start of the second semester of college seems so difficult. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn explore why some students may experience the “second semester blues” and why some parents feel they need to increase their involvement. We share strategies you can use to calm your fears and help your student make the most of this fresh start. Thank you for listening! Much mo...
2024-01-1740 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#102 – Helping Students Develop Relationships with Professors Beyond the ClassroomAs a follow-up to our earlier episode on communicating with professors (#83), Lynn and Vicki explore some of the benefits of relationships with professors, what those relationships might look like, and how students might approach and work with faculty members outside of the classroom. We often assume many of these social skills are second nature and common sense, but post Covid, students may need help in developing these skills. Parents may be one of their student’s most valuable coaches.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our we...
2024-01-0337 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#101 – What’s Ahead for College Parent Central?In this episode Vicki and Lynn take a look ahead to Season 5 of the podcast and describe some of the exciting changes we’re planning. We introduce two new co-hosts who will be joining the College Parent Central Podcast Team. Elizabeth Hamblet and Sarah Share will be adding their voices to the season ahead. We’re excited about exploring new topics and perspectives while continuing to provide the support for parents we’ve shared in the past four seasons. We also reviewed a few of the themes we may be talking about as we move forward. Thank yo...
2023-12-0626 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#100 – Celebrating our 100th Episode: Reflecting on Four Seasons of the College Parent Central PodcastWe’re 100 episodes in! Lynn and Vicki take some time to look back at some of our most popular episodes, some of our favorites, some trends and themes we’ve noticed, and what we’ve loved about getting together to create this podcast. We also take a look at some of the themes we think might surface for college students and parents in the future – and there’s more to come about that in our next episode. Stay tuned!Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, C...
2023-11-1544 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#099 – Navigating College Financial Decisions: An Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Ron LieberVicki 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...
2023-11-0142 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#098 – College Lingo – Can You Talk the Talk? – Part 3So many mysterious terms and acronyms to understand when your student heads off to college! In this third College Lingo installment 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 Disability Services and Priority Registration to Satisfactory Academic Progress, Minors, the College Catalog, and the Clery Act. We’re only scratching the surface of this new language, but it should get you started being able to understand and Talk the Talk. (Hear the first and second College Lingo in episodes #047 and #057.)...
2023-10-1844 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#097 – Why Do Students Have Trouble Asking for the Help They Need?It’s natural for students to struggle with college work. The problem we see isn’t the struggle or challenge, it is that students don’t always ask for the help they need. Colleges work hard to make sure students know about the resources available, so why don’t more students make use of them? In this episode, Lynn and Vicki explore some of the reasons students may be reluctant to get help and how parents can encourage their student to recognize and advocate for what they need.Thank you for listening! Much more informat...
2023-10-0441 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#096 - Parenting Through the College CalendarIn this episode Lynn and Vicki took a tour through the college calendar. We focused on several of the touchpoints students experience throughout the year. We highlighted conversations to have with your student at the important milestones in each semester. Understanding what is happening for your student will help parents provide the support needed at just the right time.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social Sign up...
2023-09-2052 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#094 – What to Do When (If) Your College Student Is HomesickIt isn’t inevitable that your college student will experience homesickness, but if they do, knowing why it happens and what to do will help you be prepared. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki discuss the factors that can cause college student homesickness, how to prevent it, and some strategies for how parents can help their student cope. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social Sign up for our...
2023-08-1639 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#093 – Move-in Day Is Finally Here!After a summer of ups and downs, tension and excitement, the time has arrived to deliver your student to school. In this episode Vicki and Lynn share some of their memories of Move-in Days with their sons and daughters. Along the way they share some of the lessons they learned and some suggestions for how to make this emotional day go more smoothly. Patience is the operative word. You and your student will get through this, and they will be off on their new adventure.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college...
2023-08-0230 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#092 – Can College Pressure Convince Teens to Lie? A Conversation with Young Adult Novelist Tracy BaduaTracy Badua, lawyer by day and novelist by night, joined Lynn and Vicki to talk about her new novel This Is Not a Personal Statement. The story follows a graduating high school senior who goes to some great lengths to attend the college of her dreams. Both students and parents will find in the book messages about the pressure of trying to be perfect and about discovering internal motivation and authentic identity. Tracy writes from her Filipino American background and infuses her characters with this rich cultural heritage. This Is Not a Personal Statement is a page-turner...
2023-07-1934 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#091 – Parent Transitions: The Empty NestWe’ve spent a lot of time helping parents understand the college experience and talking about how to support their student’s transition to college. It’s time to turn the tables and focus on how parents can take care of themselves as they make their own transition as well. In this episode Lynn and Vicki discuss the Empty (or emptier) Nest Syndrome. Why does this happen? What is going on? And what can parents do as they experience the potential roller coaster of emotions? This can be a time of growth for parents as well as students.T...
2023-07-0537 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#090 – Making the Most of College Visits: A Conversation with Moira McCullough of College ScoopsMoira McCullough joined Lynn and Vicki in this episode to talk about how to reduce the time, money and stress that can go into planning college visits with your student. Moira’s advice about how to communicate with your student will help them discover what matters to them as they begin the college choice process. She shared ideas about how to help your student get beyond the official college message to find the information they need to help them with their admissions decisions. Moira established College Scoops to provide information through podcasts, blog posts and interactive guides for both fa...
2023-06-2153 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#089 – Summer Reading Suggestions for College ParentsIn our annual collection of book suggestions for parents, Vicki and Lynn share some of what we’ve been reading this year. This year’s books cover a wide variety of topics that will help parents broaden their understanding of students’ academic and emotional worlds, why they might struggle and how to help empower students to face their challenges.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social Sign up for ou...
2023-06-0746 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#088 – How Parents’ Fear of Failure Can Influence StudentsAs parents, it’s in our DNA to worry about our kids. In addition, the messaging about success and failure is all around us and reinforces our worst fears. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki discuss some of the reasons we worry, the effect parental fears can have on our students and how we can address these fears so that our students will own their experiences and believe they are capable.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at...
2023-05-1736 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#086 – Highlights from Jeff Selingo’s Book There Is Life After CollegeJeff Selingo’s book There is Life After College: What Parents and Students Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow is a hidden gem. Whether you have a student in high school, in college, or a recent graduate, this is a wonderful resource to share with your student. We think higher education professionals will also find this book eye opening and motivating. In this episode Vicki and Lynn touch on some of the key themes and how they have seen these reflected in today’s students. Understanding some of the issues facing students as they...
2023-04-1942 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#084 – Join Us for Our First Read-Along Book Group!We’re trying something new and we invite you to join us! If you’re a regular listener you know we love to talk about books that help us in our role as college parents and help us support our students. We’ve picked the book There is Life After College: What Parents and Student Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow by Jeffrey Selingo to read over the next several weeks and we invite you to read along with us. We hope you’ll share some of your thoughts, questions and reactions with us. In t...
2023-03-1523 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#083 – Why Are Students Reluctant to Connect with Professors?In our post-pandemic teaching we’ve noticed that many students seem nervous about reaching out to their professors and are unsure about how to connect. We know that this relationship is critical to student success. In this episode Lynn and Vicki explore some of the strategies parents can share with their students to coach them in their interactions with professors. These conversations can help students feel more comfortable talking with professors and making their meetings productive. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Cen...
2023-03-0135 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#082 – Mindfulness for College Students: An Interview with Dr. Eric LoucksLynn and Vicki were joined in this episode by Dr. Eric Loucks author of The Mindful College Student: How to Succeed, Boost Well-Being and Build the Life You Want at University and Beyond to talk about the impact that mindfulness can have on student success. Dr. Loucks helped us understand what mindfulness is and how it can help students deal with stress, attention and focus, self-awareness, emotional-regulation and even career choice. This information is not only helpful for college students but for parents as well. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college p...
2023-02-1545 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#079 – Pandemic Fallout: What We’re Seeing in Our Post-Pandemic StudentsIn this, our first episode of Season 4, we begin a 3-part series about what we’re seeing in our students who spent their final high school years during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vicki and Lynn share student survey information and observations of their first-year students both in and outside of the classroom. Not only are students experiencing rising depression and anxiety, we also see students with academic learning gaps, engagement and social challenges, difficulty following through on work, and greater reliance on parents. We’ll continue examining Pandemic Fallout in our next episode when we consider what has caused these issues...
2023-01-0435 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#078 – Reflections on Season 3 of the College Parent Central PodcastAs we close out the third season of the College Parent Central Podcast, Lynn and Vicki look back at their favorite episodes of this past year. It’s been another year with some wonderful, informative interviews and a host of topics that can help you parent your college (or almost college) student. We also consider some of the trends we’re seeing in our students and in the field of higher education and invite you to join us for whatever Season 4 may bring.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be f...
2022-12-0740 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#076 – Answering Parent Questions and ConcernsIn this episode Vicki and Lynn answer some of the questions they have heard from parents. Topics include transferring colleges, readmission and appeal, timing of internships, and how to figure out how things are really going for your student. We don’t have all of the answers, but we share our observation based on our professional and personal experience.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social Sign up fo...
2022-11-0239 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#075 – Understanding More About Your College Student’s BrainThe concept of Executive Functioning is a popular way of looking at some of the skills that college students need to succeed. Understanding how your student’s brain develops during the college years will help you support your student as they practice managing their lives. In this episode Vicki interviews Lynn to learn more about the challenges that college students often face as they struggle to master planning, organizing, prioritizing, and problem solving. Lynn shares strategies that help students grow their abilities – and some of the success stories she’s seen.Thank you for listening! Mu...
2022-10-1938 min
E1 - College ScoopsEpisode 141: Parents - This One's For You with Guests Vicki Nelson and Lynn AbrahamsThe transition from high school to college includes a host of new challenges and experiences for students. Many of these situations have to be navigated between parents and their students. On today’s podcast, we are joined by Vicki Nelson and Lynn Abrahams, who speak from their personal and professional experiences on how parents can best support their college students.
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2022-09-2743 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#073 – Sleep Matters: Why Don’t College Students Get Enough - and Why They ShouldWe see sleepy students every day in our classes. Why? They aren’t getting enough sleep. In this episode Vicki and Lynn explore the connections between sleep and learning, the reasons students don’t get enough sleep and what happens when they are sleep deprived. We also share some suggestions to help students make their sleep hygiene a priority. Talking with your student about sleep can help highlight this important issue– and it might even improve everyone’s shuteye!Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website...
2022-09-2141 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#072 – What’s Special About Commuter Students?Once your student has made the decision to commute to college, they’ll need to think about how to make the most of their experiences. Parents also need to think about how to best support their commuting student. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share some ideas about questions to ask during the admission process, shifting dynamics at home, and what both students and parents can do to make the college transition smooth and fulfilling.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Fi...
2022-09-0737 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#071 – College Cooking 101: An Inteview with Sarah Long, Author of a Cookbook for College StudentsAlthough most students on campus have a meal plan, many students either don’t have the time to hit the dining hall or they don’t like the food. When Sarah Long’s oldest daughter went to college, she needed some recipes she could prepare in in her dorm room. After texting many recipes, her mom decided to put them together in a cookbook. In this episode Vicki and Lynn talk to Sarah about her book, and her suggestions for using everything from a microwave and blender to an electric skillet and slow cooker to prepare healthy meals – and a few tr...
2022-08-1730 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#070 – Increasing Your Student’s Readiness for CollegeIn episode #068 we talked about how to tell if your student is ready for college. In this episode Vicki and Lynn discuss strategies, conversations and actions that will help your student increase their readiness. We talk about academic readiness, time and self-management, life skills, relationships and emotional readiness. If any of these areas present particular challenges for your student these suggestions will help you better support and prepare them for college.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter...
2022-08-0352 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#069 – Getting the Most Out of College: An Interview with Author Elliot FelixWouldn’t it be great if your student could create a successful college experience where they feel connected and supported instead of simply navigating their way through. In this episode Vicki and Lynn talk with Elliot Felix, author of How to Get the Most Out of College: 127 Ways to Make Connections, Make It Work for You, and Make a Difference. Elliot brings his background in college consulting and design to his practical, action-oriented tips that cover everything from knowing options to mastering technology, building relationships, and finding your community on campus. So much to share with your student!...
2022-07-2046 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#068 – Is Your Student Ready for College?We often assume that once our students have been accepted to college that means they’re ready. But many of the students we work with are not prepared for the academic, social and emotional demands of college life. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn identify ways in which parents can evaluate their student’s readiness. We share what to pay attention to and suggest some important conversations to help students and parents explore their next steps.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Cent...
2022-07-0642 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#066 – New Book Suggestions for Summer ReadingWe like to read! And summer seems like the perfect time to dig into some new reading – especially if you have a student heading to college, thinking about college, or already there. It’s always good to have some new book suggestions and we have some excellent college parenting books to share. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share some favorite reads that offer parents support, guidance and suggestions – and we include some books to share with your student as well. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our...
2022-06-0145 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#064 – Supporting Students Who Struggle – Continuing the Conversation with Dr. Lynn ZlotkowskiDr. Lynn Zlotkowski, Director of Advising at Southern New Hampshire University first joined us in episode #061 to talk about Advising and Student Success. We know that no matter how much support students receive from their parents and their college, no matter how much they take advantage of the college resources, some students flounder and fail. In this episode, we asked Dr. Zlotkowski to help us understand some of the reasons students struggle and how parents can respond and help them. Lynn shared her down-to-earth wisdom and advice that will help parents better support their student.Thank...
2022-05-0451 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#062 – Understanding College Senioritis and How Parents Can HelpAlthough the transition into college in a common topic, we don’t talk enough about college seniors and their transition out of school. In this episode Lynn and Vicki explore the reasons so many college seniors feel paralyzed, disconnected, and anxious. Understanding the factors that influence a student’s ability to cope with the changes they are experiencing can help parents support their student through this time. Parents can help their student recognize this transition as a normal part of a whole developmental journey and encourage them as they take their next steps.Thank you for list...
2022-04-0646 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#061 – Exploring the Role of Advising in Student Success: An Interview with Dr. Lynn ZlotkowskiWe had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Lynn Zlotkowski, Director of Academic Advising at Southern New Hampshire University to talk about the role of academic advising in college. Our conversation was wide-ranging and covered the shifting role of parents throughout their student’s academic career. Lynn brought her tremendous insight, energy, humor and fresh perspective to the discussion of how both the college and parents can best support student success.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Tw...
2022-03-1652 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#060 – Experiences in College That Can Contribute to Wellbeing After GraduationAs parents, we often worry about how our student will fare in college. But college is just a stepping-stone to the rest of their lives. In this episode Vicki and Lynn discuss the results of a poll conducted by Perdue University and Gallup Inc. that identified six factors that influence graduates’ well-being after college. While colleges have a role in providing these experiences, we emphasized the student’s role in in taking specific actions while in college that will increase their engagement and well-being after graduation. Thank you for listening! Much more information for colle...
2022-03-0242 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#058 – Listening MattersListening is one of the secret weapons for communicating and building relationships. As parents, we often don’t listen very well. In this episode Vicki and Lynn talk about why our students sometimes tune us out and some of the listening habits parents fall into that can become barriers to communication. We share some tips and suggestions and new ways of thinking about this undervalued skill. Good listening takes effort and practice, but you will be able to help your student feel heard and empowered.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college pa...
2022-02-0250 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#057 – College Lingo – Can You Talk the Talk? – Part 2So many mysterious terms and acronyms to understand when your student heads off to college! In this second College Lingo installment 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 Accommodations and Assistive Technology to Degree Maps, Degree Audits, Registrar and Academic Probation. We’re only scratching the surface of this new language, but it should get you started being able to understand and Talk the Talk. (Hear the first College Lingo in episode #047.)Thank you for listening! Mu...
2022-01-1945 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#056 – Using the College Years to Prepare for CareerIn this podcast Vicki and Lynn followed up on an earlier episode about professionalism by talking about some of the practical things that students can do during their college years to prepare for career. Students who start early and think about all of their college experiences as preparation for the world of work, will have an advantage. We discuss characteristics that will set students apart as well as how to learn and practice a professional ethic in and outside of the classroom. We consider how parents can support – or sometimes hinder – their student’s professional growth and career development.
2022-01-0547 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#055 – Reflecting on the Past Year of the College Parent Central PodcastAs Season 2 comes to a close, Vicki and Lynn review the past year on the College Parent Central Podcast. It’s been a full year of interviews, trends, important topics, and a few milestones. Join the hosts as they reflect on the past year and preview a new season of the podcast in 2022.Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent Central Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social Sign up for our newsletter for ongoing information
2021-12-1542 minCollege Parent Central Podcast#054 – Thinking About the Transition from College to Professional LifeThe ever-lengthening road from adolescence to adulthood has impacted students’ preparation for their professional lives. College provides the ideal environment for students to experiment with and practice those skills that will help them advance their future careers. In this episode Lynn and Vicki use Jeffrey Selingo’s book There Is Life After College as a framework for discussing how students approach this task of career preparation and how they can maximize their college experiences with their future career in mind. This episode encourages parents to be patient and to continue to help their student clarify what will be required of t...
2021-12-0144 min