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 provided by their peers. In this episode, Sarah and Vicki talk about the many ways that peer support can help students – sometimes even more than professional support. We examine the types of support available, why it can make a difference, and also why some students might want to become peer tutors, advisors, teaching assistants, or residence assistants. If you’re a parent, you’ll leave with concrete ways to encourage smart help-seeking and ideas for campus roles your student can pursue.

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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Spring is supposed to be the “easy” term, right? Not for most college students. We dig into why the months after winter break are packed with choices that quietly shape the next year—housing lotteries, course registration, declaring a major, transfer questions, spring break plans, internships, campus jobs, and summer decisions—and how parents can stay steady while their students navigate it all.

We start with first-year realities: some students hit their stride, others need a reset on study routines, tutoring, and social circles that formed by convenience in the fall. Then we unpack the big questions students wrestle with in February and March: is this the right school, and how do you evaluate a possible transfer without spiraling? We share ways to recheck goals mid-semester, ask better advising questions, and ground anxious thinking in clear next steps.

From there, we take on the practical crunch. Spring break can be rest, work, travel, or service—each with different budgets and risks—so we offer a simple decision frame that balances health, safety, and purpose. Housing becomes a masterclass in planning: off-campus leases, budgets, and commutes versus on-campus lottery strategies, deposits, and backup plans. We also cover how to map fall registration and major declarations, including sequencing, fall-only courses, and using minors or electives to test interests without locking in too soon.

Career momentum starts now. Competitive fall internships, on-campus leadership roles like RA or orientation leader, and coveted student jobs often recruit in spring. We outline how to build a resume that moves, connect with career services, and secure recommendations before deadlines hit. Finally, we tackle summer: deciding between income, experience, or credits, verifying transfer approvals for summer classes, and structuring a plan that blends work with a targeted course or micro-internship.

Our throughline is calm, informed parenting: ask curious questions, point to campus resources, and resist catching the panic. When families understand the spring squeeze, students can plan ahead, choose with confidence, and enter fall on stronger footing. If this conversation helped you or a family you love, subscribe, share the episode with another college parent, and leave a quick review—what spring decision is top of mind for your student?

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

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