College Parent Central Podcast

Your student picked a major with the confidence of a 17 year old and then college happened. A few weeks into the first semester, they might text, call, or come home and say the words that spike every parent’s pulse: “I’m changing my major.” We get why that sounds like lost time, lost money, and a shaky future, but we also know what it usually signals: learning, growth, and a better fit starting to...

College feels like a high-stakes competition, but the ground is shifting fast and for many families, that shift brings unexpected advantages. We sit down with John Marcus, senior higher education reporter at The Hechinger Report, to unpack the demographic cliff: the coming drop in the number of 18-year-olds and the ripple effects already hitting college enrollment, budgets, and even campus closure...

College can be the most crowded place your student has ever lived and still feel painfully lonely. We’re seeing more college student loneliness and social isolation than many families expect, and the shock of it often makes students think they’re failing at college when they’re actually experiencing something common and human. We dig into why this is happening now: smartphones and social media tha...

As 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...

You can spend a fortune on college and still miss the point if you treat it like something to “get through.” In this episode, Vicki and Lynn sit down with political scientist and longtime professor Dr Michael Pomante, author of the book “What Professors Wish Students Knew: Things Parents and Students Should Know Before Attending College” to talk about the mindset shifts he wishes every student and...

Your student gets accepted, pays the deposit, and then a placement email lands like a surprise bill: developmental math, remedial writing, foundational reading. What does that actually mean, and is it going to slow graduation down? We unpack the real purpose of developmental education and why colleges use it as a bridge to college-level work, not a punishment. We also talk through the most common...

Law school can look like a straight line from college to a JD, until you learn how much hinges on one quiet detail: timing. We sit down with Jennifer Balboni, a criminal justice professor and long time pre law advisor, to map the real law school admissions process in plain language so parents and students can plan early and avoid expensive surprises. We unpack why law school applications have surg...

We were honored to be able to spend some time talking with Jessica Lahey, author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed,  about her new book The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jessica’s new book weaves together her personal story about addiction with a tremendous amount of information about topics such as...

The college admission process can be daunting for everyone, but maybe a little more overwhelming for first generation students and their families. In this episode, we talk with someone who knows the ins and outs of admission as an admission director, but who was also a first generation student. Elizabeth and Vicki are joined by Sacha Thieme, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment and Executive Di...

Chasing the “dream school” can quietly turn college admissions into a stress contest, and it doesn’t have to. We’re sharing our annual summer reading list for college parents, with books that help you step back, ask better questions, and support your student without getting pulled into rankings anxiety. If you’ve been wondering how to talk about fit, finances, and what your child actually needs to...

“What are you going to do with that?” is a question raised by the parents of many students who declare their primary interest is in the humanities. We wondered the same thing, so we decided to have a conversation with two faculty members who teach in a new college major – Applied Humanities. In this episode, we were joined by Professors Lindsay Illich (Writing) and Robert Smid (Philosophy) to talk...

The summer between high school and college isn't just busy—it's a profound transition that transforms both students and parents. This emotional crossroads, where students are "no longer" in high school but "not yet" in college, demands navigation through unfamiliar territory. We did a bit of a turn for this episode as Lynn interviewed Vicki about her new E-book, The S...

Based on an article that Elizabeth wrote recently, Vicki and Elizabeth sat down to talk about the importance of transparency in conversations with your student. Elizabeth brings her LD expertise and discusses how to help your student understand their disabilities and why this understanding can help them advocate for themselves and have more confidence. As she often does, Vicki sees this advice as...

 In this episode, Vicki and Lynn sit down with Dr. Eric Endlich—clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Top College Consultants—to map a smarter path to college for neurodivergent and disabled students – and really, for everyone else, too. From decoding what colleges are legally required to provide to spotting truly comprehensive support programs, we break down how to verify services, assess...

Colleges and universities work to provide students with the support they need to thrive – both in the classroom and out. From professors, advisors, tutors, and librarians to counselors, resident directors and student activity personnel, most colleges are staffed by professionals and experts in all areas. But there’s another source of support for students that may be too often overlooked – that pro...

After all of the transitions during fall semester (even for upper class students) students, and their parents, often assume it will be easy to navigate spring semester. Even if there are a few more transitions settling in at the beginning of second semester, the rest should be smooth sailing. In this podcast, Vicki and Lynn explore some of the things that are on students’ minds during this semeste...

In this episode, Vicki and Elizabeth sit down with transition specialist Kelly Challen to unpack what truly prepares teens for college and adult life: agency, executive function, and repeat practice with real responsibility. Kelly shares how to choose low-stakes experiments—having students email teachers, schedule their own tutoring, manage appointments, or learn to rebound from failures. We also...

So 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 fifth 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 Accessibility Offic...

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...

The transition from high school to college involves so many changes – and not all of them are obvious. In this episode, Elizabeth and Vicki explore the vocabulary and role changes that catch many families off guard – especially those families with a student who has a learning disability. Along the way, we clear up some common myths—why a 504 plan doesn’t carry over, why “entitled” becomes “eligibl...

The 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...

Your student keeps hearing “What’s your major?” but the smarter question might be “What’s your mix?” In this episode, Vicki and Sarah explore the real value of college minors—what they are, how they fit inside a standard 120-credit path, and why four to six targeted courses can shift confidence, sharpen skills, and make a resume pop. We talk through mixing theory and hands-on learning, using minor...

Your student is coming home for break! You’re excited and maybe even a little nervous. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn help you think about what to expect, how to prepare for your student’s return and survival strategies for the whole family. 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...

Just when you think your student has settled in to that first semester of college it’s time for a reality check.  Mid-semester is a great time for you to check in with your student to see how the semester is going.  In this episode Lynn and Vicki discuss potential concerns, available resources, and specific conversations that can help you and your student connect at this important time. Thank you...

Ever wondered why some students struggle despite hours of studying while others seem to master information efficiently? Cognitive psychologist Dr. Daniel Willingham, author of the book Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy joined us to discuss the fascinating science behind this phenomenon, explaining that most college students succeed despite their study strategie...