College Parent Central Podcast
120 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsYou don’t stop parenting the day you drop your student off to college on Move-in Day. Your role simply changes. (Actually, it’s not simple at all, but it changes.) You’re a parent for life. Join Lynn Abrahams and Vicki Nelson, higher education professionals and former college parents, as they explore the topics that can help you be a more effective and supportive parent to your college bound student. Whether you already have a child in college, college is still a year or more away, or your student is about to step out, start now to gather the information that empowers you to be an effective college success coach to your student.
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Episodes
#020 - Our Favorite Summer Reads for College Parents
June 17, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBWhether you are doing your reading this summer on the beach or safely at home, it is always nice to have some new book suggestions. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share some of the college parenting books they have found helpful. These books offer parents support, encouragement, guidance and suggestions for all stages of the college parenting journey. Some of these books are for parents and some should definitely be shared with your students. Thank you for listening! Much more information ...
#019 - Students With Learning Differences: What Are the Key Changes Between High School and College?
June 03, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBWhat colleges and universities do to support students with learning differences changes from K-12, not only because the laws are different but also because the goals for students shift in college. These changes may be bigger than most students and parents expect. In today’s podcast, Lynn and Vicki explore differences in how the laws protect students and how the key responsibilities of both the institution and the student change. The more you understand these differences, the more comfortable...
#018 – Spiritual Health and College Students- An Interview with Rev. Terry Hofmann
May 20, 2020 11:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBWe talk a lot about college student intellectual, social and emotional development, but there are fewer conversations around college students’ spiritual development. In this guest interview, Lynn and Vicki talk with Rev. Terry Hofmann who has served as a Director of Spiritual Life at a small liberal arts college for ten years. Terry brings to this conversation her wealth of knowledge and experience with college students as they explore their spiritual and religious identities. Terry shares i...
#017 - How to Move Forward after Academic Probation or Dismissal
May 06, 2020 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBIf your student is placed on probation or dismissed from college, it can feel devastating – like a virtual punch in the stomach – but this does not have to be the end of the road. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn suggest ways you can talk to your student about the situation. They help you understand what probation and dismissal mean, how to analyze what might have gone wrong, and create an action plan for next steps. No one begins college expecting to fail (though many may fear it.) Although ...
#016 - Staying on Track to Graduate On Time
April 22, 2020 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBFor those students who enter college intending to finish in four years, taking ownership of their progress is essential. However, not all students will be on the four year plan. Whatever timeline your student plans to follow, it is essential that they carefully track their progress toward the finish line. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn help parents understand what their student needs to know and do in order to complete college “on time.” Thank you for listening! Much more information for ...
#015 - Special Episode – COVID-19 – One Month In – Challenges of Staying the Course
April 15, 2020 11:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBNow that your student has transitioned to their new online college environment, they face new challenges. Staying motivated and focused isn’t easy. Students are overwhelmed by coursework, miss their friends and social life, and don’t know how long this new way of life will last. Although the college semester has a finish line, it still seems a long way off. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share with parents some observations about the specific challenges many students are facing right now bo...
#014 - The College Decision Dilemma: What Happens Once Those Admission Letters Arrive?
April 01, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBThe 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 emotions and practical steps you and your student can take as your student looks for the school with the best “fit,” perhaps moves to their second c...
#013 - COVID-19: When Your College Student Needs to Complete the Semester at Home
March 19, 2020 14:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBIt seems as though the entire world has turned upside down. As the coronavirus rages worldwide, most colleges are sending students home to complete their coursework online. College-at-home comes with significant challenges for both students and their parents. This special episode contains essential suggestions for helping students learn to adjust to their new online learning environment. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, Colleg...
#012 – Talking About the First Year Experience – An Interview with Dr. Silas Pearman
March 18, 2020 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBIn our first guest interview, Lynn and Vicki chat with Dr. Silas Pearman, First Year Coordinator at Curry College. Si discusses various types of first year programming and how students can benefit from classes that help them transition. Topics include questions parents and students should ask during the admission process to find the best fitting first year program, specific challenges first year students typically face, and strategies to help parents prepare their students for the transition...
#011 – Should Your Student Take a Gap Year Before College?
March 04, 2020 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBWhat if you think your student may not be ready for college? What if your student feels they just need a break? In this podcast, Lynn and Vicki look at college admission deferral, high school postgrad programs and other gap year options. If you are thinking of a gap year you’ll need to consider the advantages and disadvantages, how to investigate options, and what to expect. This is an excellent opportunity for conversations about readiness, motivation, and specific goals for a possible year...
#010 - Tips for Using Senior Year to Prepare for College
February 19, 2020 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBSenior year of high school can feel overwhelming. But this can be an excellent time to help your student work on the skills that can lead to success in college – and in life. In this podcast, Vicki and Lynn talk about your student’s path toward independence. Topics include the college application process, time management, and specific life skills that students need to make the transition to college. From getting themselves up in the morning, maintaining their own calendar, to doing laundry a...
#009 - The Importance of Anticipating the Key Differences Between High School and College
February 05, 2020 12:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBUnderstanding the key differences between high school and college directly impacts how we “parent” our students as we help them prepare to make the big transition. No one gives us a roadmap of exactly how to do this. It is helpful for parents to understand how their role changes when their student heads to college as well as the important skills that students need to succeed. In this podcast Vicki and Lynn examine changing roles for everyone, explain FERPA rules and regulations, and look at ...
#008 - Helping Your Student Take Advantage of College Resources
January 15, 2020 12:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBMany college students don’t utilize of all of the support available to help them succeed. The reasons for this can be as varied as the students themselves. Does your student feel comfortable asking for help when they need it? Does your student know how to find what they need and how to take advantage of every resource? In this episode Lynn and Vicki look at six essential resources on most college campuses, how they can help students, and how students can make the most of what these services...
#007 – Second Semester of College: The Transition No One Talks About
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBYou worry about a lot of things when you send your student off to college for the first semester – and then you think you’re done. 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. This episode focuses on strategies you can use to calm your fears and help your stu...
#006 – Home from College: That LONG Winter Break
December 18, 2019 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBWinter Break is special because for many families it is so long. Some students have as much as four to six weeks of vacation. That’s a long time to have them home. It’s wonderful, of course, but some structure and focus may be needed as you adjust to the new person that your student has become. In this episode Lynn and Vicki share some ideas about what to expect, how to ensure this is a constructive time for everyone, and how to enjoy your time together. Thank you for listening! Much more ...
#005 - Communicating With Your College Student
December 04, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBWhen we think about our communication with our students, we often think about how to get them to talk – but we less often think about our end of the exchange. In this episode Vicki and Lynn talk about three different aspects of communicating with our students – how we listen, how we encourage them to share, and how we respond when they do. Good communication is not going to fix every problem, but it is a great way to help both you and your student feel connected and on the same team. Thank ...
#004 - Here We Go! It's Final Exam Time!
November 18, 2019 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBThe final exam period is an intense, stressful time for many students. But, thankfully, it is relatively short. When you provide just a bit of understanding, encouragement, and support from home, you can do a lot to help your student succeed. In this episode, Lynn and Vicki discuss how you can help your student deal with anxiety, prepare for the end of the semester and cope with the results. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website...
#003: Home for Break
November 18, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBYour 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 Sign up for our newsletter for ongoing information Please leave us a review at “Love ...
#002: Mid-Semester Check In
November 17, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBJust 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 for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College ...
#001: Welcome to the College Parent Central Podcast
November 09, 2019 20:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBMeet Lynn Abrahams, learning disabilities specialist for college students and Vicki Nelson, Communication professor and former Director of Academic Advising. Lynn and Vicki are also parents of 2 boys (Lynn) and 3 girls (Vicki) and have lived through the college parent experience. In this new podcast Lynn and Vicki draw on their many years of experience and blend their perspectives as college professionals and parents as they look at the college parent role. Join them for stories, suggestions...