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 talk about life skills we’ve all observed that quietly derail success—students’ ability to handle their own alarms, laundry, room hygiene, and basic routines. Whatever transition your student may be facing, this conversation will help you talk together about how to prepare.

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
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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 Offices, Add/Drop, Sophomore Slump, Credit Hour, Resident Assistants, Post-Grad Year, Placement Exams, and Liberal Arts. If you missed Parts 1-4, with 24 additional terms, check out episodes #047, #057, #098 and #121.

If you’ve ever wished for a pocket translator for campus speak, this conversation is your map. Hit play, share it with another parent who could use the clarity, and then tell us what term still trips you up. Subscribe, leave a review, and send us the next term you want decoded.

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

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 Central
• Find us on Twitter at @CollParCentral
• Find us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.social
• Sign up for our newsletter for ongoing information