The College Prep Podcast

This summer Gretchen is unpacking 9 totally valid cognitive challenges that she wishes she’d known more about earlier in her career. Today we look at the limitations of selective attention and the constraints of mental effort and selective attention. To download the full list of nine barriers to student learning, go to www.gretchenwegner.com/challenges

This summer Gretchen is unpacking 9 totally valid cognitive challenges that she wishes she’d known more about earlier in her career. Today we look at the ineffective learning strategies and students’ struggles to transfer learning. To download the full list of nine barriers to student learning, go to www.gretchenwegner.com/challenges.

When Megan started out working on college admissions, she had know idea how many parents are micromanaging their kids’ college experience. In this summer episode, she shares some stories about the lengths parents seem to go to shield their students from difficulty.

This summer Gretchen is unpacking nine totally valid cognitive challenges that she wishes she’d known more about earlier in her career. Today we look at the barriers of Insufficient prior knowledge and misconceptions, and how they impact student learning. To download the full list of nine barriers to student learning, go to www.gretchenwegner.com/challenges.

Megan had no idea what the actual cost of college Greek life is until some family friends shared their experiences. In this episode she shares what she wishes she’d known earlier, and shocks Gretchen with some of her facts.

This summer Gretchen is unpacking 9 totally valid cognitive challenges that she wishes she’d known more about earlier in her career. Today we look at the issue of Fear and Mistrust and how it impacts student learning. To download the full list of nine barriers to student learning, go to www.gretchenwegner.com/challenges.

Early decision has significant benefits, which Megan didn’t know fully about until her own daughter went through the college application process. Here Megan shares what she wishes she’d known about the power of an early decision application in the right circumstance.

The whole point of going to college is to get a job, right?! Yet families often forget to evaluate their prospective college’s career services. Join podcast parent Lydia Schulz as she details everything she learned about how colleges help students get jobs. Specifically, the crew discusses: * the two most important areas to evaluate in a college’s career services department,* what has changed over the years in regards to the kinds of career support college’s provide,* a complete checklist of 8 areas to evaluate to feel more confident about your school choice’s ability to help your student find a job,* and more. Here is the fabulous document that Lydia created for us, for your reading pleasure. This episode originally aired as episode 266 on May 27, 2019.

What can families and educators be considering as we slide into June and July? Megan and Gretchen share a short checklist of important tasks to consider this summer related to college admissions and academic skill development. Specifically they discuss: * what college admissions tasks each high school grade level can do* how to reflect about the past year to set yourself up for success next year* what kind of skills coaching to do this summer if you need* and more!

The question Megan is asked th most is, “what’s the different between the ACT and SAT, and which one should I take?” Megan answers this question, walking listeners through the following: * What colleges want in regards to standardized testing* What’s on each of the tests* What Megan likes about the SAT and ACT, respectively* How can you find the test that’s best for you

How much can a student’s behavior truly change after a semester of coaching? In today’s episode, Gretchen walks us through a sixteen year old’s reflections about how he has grown as a result of academic coaching. The following eight ideas resulted from a brainstorm during this young man’s final coaching session, during which he and Gretchen reviewed what he has learned and what habits he would like to maintain: 1. The Set Up Routine2. Doing Spanish hw first3. All the different study tools from the Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying4. Self Advocacy.5. Keeping a Planner.6. Finishing homework by a reasonable hour7. Take advantage of meds before they wear off.8. Marking period supply clean out. Tune in to the episode to hear more about each of these take aways! This podcast originally ran on as episode #205 on March 26, 2018.

Megan talks with Coach Rob– David Robinson from Scholar Champion Athlete Recruiting– as he outlines some key issues to understand college athletic recruiting process. Listen as they discuss: * How coaches view the process* How what you see on tv represents only 5% * The need to assess your talent and how to do a backwards assessment* When to start the process* Why most prospective college athletes have an admissions issue not a talent issue* Some surprising numbers when it comes to NCAA athletes and $$$* How athletes should promote themselves and * Why it is essential to view recruiting with a business mindset. David Robinson is the Founder and Director of Recruitment for Scholar Champion Athlete Recruiting. He has taught college prep and English at the secondary level, served as a Head Coach in the NCAA, and holds professional degrees in both Sport Management and Education. He is also the author of the new book “Winning the Ship: How to Win the College Athlete Recruitment Game”. You can find Coach Rob online: * Website: www.SCArecruiting.com* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachrobrecruitingsca/* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachRobRecruitingSCA/

What is a school psychologist in a public school in Los Angeles seeing in regards to teacher and student burnout? Guest expert Kendrea Hart and Gretchen Wegner speak openly and vulnerably about teacher and student burnout including: * what Kendrea’s seeing in teachers and students in her own school and across the country* the unique challenges of teachers not being able to close the door to protect themselves from stressors, * why “self care” is more than a buzz word, and how schools can make more time for teacher self care* their own experiences with burnout and attempts at self care routines* and a lot more. Kendrea Hart’s company Mzima Consulting will be offering a retreat this summer to help address teacher burnout and self care. For more information about that retreat, click here.

The end of the school year presents challenges: exams, prom, award ceremonies, and all the unique challenges that come with it. That means April is really our last month of normal– the last month for students to dig into their routines, work to improve habits, and put themselves on a solid footing heading into the end of year business. Gretchen outlines strategies to maximize this “normal” time, including tips for students, educators and academic coaches building their own businesses.

You’ve probably heard you should balance your college list with sure thing, competitive, and reach schools. Throw in financial safety and maybe some scholarship options. This is all good advice. But it feels a little dry. Are there some ideas you could add to your search that might broaden your possibilities and maybe add new and promising options? Listen as Megan suggests some new ideas for putting together your college list, including how to: * check for lesser known state schools* search for strong programs in your prospective major * include variety in the schools on your list. * look at some comfort options * dream outside the predictability box