Navigating the high school years and preparing for college can feel totally overwhelming, so today we’re keeping things simple with a fun “Top 3” listicle.

In this episode, we break down the top three most important things students should focus on during each stage of their journey—from freshman year all the way through college move-in. We chat about everything from mastering time-management habits and self-advocating as a freshman, to balancing academic rigor and stepping into leadership roles as an upperclassman.

Plus, we share our absolute favorite hacks for making the most out of your college visits—like snapping a picture of the admissions sign to keep your notes organized—and the essential life skills you'll want to practice before heading off to your dorm.

Whether you're just starting out or getting ready to pack your bags, we've got you covered. Grab a notebook, and let's dive in together!

Join Mark and Anna as they talk with Cindy Palmer from Threshold Coaches about the misconceptions related to ADHD and how college can both be an ideal and challenging environment for students to thrive. We cover strengths of ADHD students and how families can prepare for college, including accommodations and practicing executive function skills. We also cover how students and parents can approach getting tested and tips for a smooth transition to college.

Cindy Palmer is the founder of Threshold Coaches which specializes in providing executive function coaching for college students, especially those with ADHD. Cindy has spent over 25 years supporting teens and young adults with ADHD through academic and life transitions. A former high school teacher and adolescent therapist, Cindy specializes in executive function coaching especially during the leap from high school to college. She's also a parent of two daughters immersed in the college journey, helping them navigate support systems to meet their own neurodivergent needs.

Worried about what major you should pick now when AI seems to be affecting every industry? Join Anna and Mark as they sit down with Dr. Jennifer Stephan—founder of Lantern College Counseling —to demystify AI as an academic path and career field. Dr. Stephan defines AI, distinguishes it from adjacent disciplines like computer science and machine learning, and discuss developing future-proof, transferable skills (critical thinking, communication, quantitative reasoning, ethics) over narrowly chasing majors, noting that only a few top programs offer undergraduate AI degrees while many CS programs can prepare students well through electives, tracks, and research.

Dr. Jennifer Stephan has held various roles across top colleges and universities, including professor, academic dean, and board of admissions member. She holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MS and a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jennifer is the founder and owner of Lantern College Counseling, an educational practice offering college admissions services, college success coaching services, and expert support for students facing serious disruptions to their education

Lantern's college admissions services are based on a proprietary Deep-Fit™ approach, an innovative paradigm for the college search and application process centered on thriving as a foundation for lifelong success, developed through Jennifer's decades of experience supporting college students.

To learn more and connect with Jennifer, please visit https://www.lanterncollegecounseling.com/