If your college student is coming home for spring break — or will be soon — there is one question every parent should ask. Not over text. Ask it in person or on a phone call , where you can hear how they respond. The question: “Are you in any holes?” In other words: Are there any classes where you are behind on assignments ? Are you failing or close to failing any class? Are there classes where you are waiting for grades but worried about the outcome ? Are there classes where you feel lost...

This week with my college coaching clients, it’s all about planning for finals. You’d be surprised how many students have never created an official study plan—especially not weeks before exams begin, and definitely not before a break. One of my clients perfectly illustrated why this matters. “I’ll Figure It Out Later…” When we sat down to map out his finals, he wasn’t resisting outright. It was more subtle—lots of vague talk about “how he usually studies” and comments like, “I have plenty of...

It’s the end of October—past the midpoint of the semester for most college students who started back in August. Midterms are wrapping up, projects are due, and the pace of the semester feels relentless. This week with my college coaching clients, we’ve been revisiting the goals they set at the start of the semester. We’re looking at what’s working in their weekly routines, what’s not, and how they’re managing their time and energy. And almost every time, one goal shows up quietly at the...