The College Prep Podcast

This has been the worst school year ever, and students and parents are barely hanging on as we near the end. Learn a few nervous system tools to help you stay as regulated as possible… and get all that missing work turned in. Specifically, Gretchen walks Megan and listeners through: * a definition of the nervous system, and the three major “states” that human move through* an explanation for what the “window of tolerance” is, and how it is the optimal state for learning* some tips for how to keep ourselves in the “window of tolerance”, and/or bring ourselves back to regulation* the importance of “co-regulation” and how parents’ can manage their own nervous systems as a way to support their students* and more!

It’s a month until final exams in the United States. What can teachers do to help set students up for less stress and more success this finals season? Listen in as Gretchen lays out 5+ tips including: * how far in advance should you get students starting to prepare for finals* what kinds of tasks are best to ask students to do (that don’t take much planning on your end)* and more! Please feel to forward this episode to your favorite teacher!

Families are sometimes so desperate to afford college that they jump at “opportunities” that are actually scams. Megan walks you through four types of offers families will want to say no to, including: * Scholarships for a fee and financial planning promises * “Exclusive” activities with overstated benefits* “Honors” that families have to pay for and a lot of people receive* Performance guarantees and promises of admission, scores, etc.

Students’ mental health is struggling more than ever at this stage of the pandemic. Gretchen and Megan discuss the available resources to support students, along with tips and trick for everyone to make it through to the end of the semester. Specifically, Megan & Gretchen discuss: * Reports Megan has received from parents of college age students* Why students are feeling the pinch* How to take advantage of mental health resources that are already on campus* Additional tips for keeping your head and heart above water,* and more!

Too many students struggle with multiple choice tests. Often, this difficulty is not that they don’t know the material but rather because they haven’t learned how to take those tests well. Listen in as Megan provides her top five tips so you stop losing points on tests. Specifically, she discusses habits for how to: * pay attention to the design of the test* make sure you’re reading the details in both questions and answers* change your focus from finding the right answer to eliminating the wrong answer* troubleshoot when you can’t actually write on the exam* compare choices once you’ve narrowed them down,* “work backward” to choose the correct answer, and* discern what test-taking advice is ineffective and should be ignored This episode originally aired as episode 158 on May 1, 2017.

Today’s podcast is a special interview with school leader, consultant and author Taryn Fletcher. She and Gretchen will be discussion Dr. Fletcher’s new book In All Lanes: Action Steps for New Leaders to Empower Black and Brown Students, Rethink School, and Transform Behavior. Although this book is technically written for school leaders, we’ll be discussing Dr. Fletcher’s best practices through the lens of academic coaching as well. Including questions like: * What does culturally relevant academic/EF/ADHD coaching look like?* What skillsets do coaches need — both white AND black and brown coaches — to help ensure that we are all supporting students in resisting white supremacy culture in schools, rather than upholding it? Listen in as Gretchen and Dr. Fletcher discuss all this, and a lot more!

Parents and educators often ask, “What order should we teach our students what academic skills?” In this episode, Gretchen rethinks whether the Study Cycle, her model for teaching students how the brain learns, really should be the center of her academic toolkit. In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, she and Megan discuss: * how one Independent Study school is choosing to structure the lessons in the Anti-Boring Toolkit for their students* the role that understanding brain theory plays in teaching students study skills* how to start with the student’s need first,* the difference between a curriculum and a toolkit,* and more

If you want to prepare your student to get in the perfect college for them, there really is a clear front runner that you absolutely should be paying attention to. In this episode, Megan breaks down the importance of making sure your core academics are as strong as possible. We cover: * the two criteria for “success”: (1) getting INTO college and (2) graduating FROM college* why a strong performance in core academic courses is so crucial* the subjects you should focus on* the academic skills you should focus on* the role electives and activities do (and don’t!) play in college admissions,* and more.

Many students don’t want to start thinking about college until they’re a junior (or even a senior!) in high school. However, it’s important to start them exploring college, and improving their academic track record, when they’re in middle school and early high school. How do you engage your reluctant teen? Megan and Gretchen chat about it, covering the following topics: * How young is too young to start talking about college* How to get super incremental in the way you get students thinking about academic success* Use rewards in smart ways* Let the schools sell themselves, so you don’t have to* Understand what motivates students* Take this test on the four motivational tendencies.

Note: This podcast episode originally ran on November 24, 2014 as Episode #18. Are you stressed out at this point in the semester? It’s hard to stay motivated in the face of increasing pressure, but it’s not impossible if you consider this checklist of motivation strategies. The College Prep Podcast cohosts have a fun time breaking down Gretchen’s top 10 list: * Look back at your routines and see if there is a key habit that you’ve let lapse. Pick it up again!* Re-invigorate a team of supporters. Look for accountability partners.* Get some new tools & supplies that will re-energize your work.* Get organized! Take some time to clean out your backpack, desk, binders, etc.* Break the overwhelming tasks down into bite-size parts.* Take a conscious break (rather than frittering away your time unconsciously). Build play into your schedule.* Recognize that you might need a mindset shift.* Remind yourself of your goals & values, and how what you’re doing this semester connects to the bigger picture.* Get affirmation from others. Give it to yourself.* Notice if there is something you’ve outgrown (goals? friends? clubs? activities?) and be willing to let go of them.

The college search process is intimidating for any families; add an “undocumented” status, and it becomes even more complex. In this episode, Megan walks us through some basic things to think about for any undocumented students and families, as well as the professionals who support them. We discuss: * the definition of undocumented * the college-related challenges of being undocumented* college-search related actions that may jeopardize your status or risk deportation * what do do once you’re in college* how to support students who are undocumented* and more. Megan also shares some resources for undocumented students: The Dream, My Undocumented Life, andThe Dreamer’s Roadmap.

There is more and more demand for academic coaches! If you are a family considering whether to hire one, listen in to this discussion about how to find the right one… and how to set your student up for success. In this episode, Gretchen engages in conversation with five Anti-Boring Approach Trained Coaches in her community about their best and worst experiences with families considering academic coaching services. It’s an invaluable listen for families who want to encourage the right coach to say “yes” to working with their kiddos. If you would like to work with one of these coaches, check this link.

Concerned about the high cost of college? Join the club. Megan walks families through seven strategies to reduce the cost of college. This is a “must-listen” for anyone getting started with the college search journey! She covers topics like how to: * Collect lower cost credits* Weigh choices like tuition vs housing/food and being an RA vs. living off campus* Identify “feels like” schools that might be cheaper* Make clear priorities for yourself* Graduate in 3 years to save 25% on room & board * Know the difference between scholarships and financial aid* And more!

A crucial life skill we need to teach our teens is how to ask for help and take better advantage of the resources right under their noses. Tune in as Megan and Gretchen brainstorm the resources they wish students would access more than they do, including: * the campus counseling * the academic center * the career center * your teachers * friends, and * online resources

(This episode originally aired in March 2018) The national average of number of AP classes taken by students admitted to top universities is five to eight total. That’s a lot! Deciding whether to take (or not take) Advanced Placement classes is more complicated that simply taking as many tests as possible. In this episode we discuss in detail the following considerations: * The importance of students choosing an appropriate level of challenge* The fact that AP classes (and the AP exams) can push students to learn at a higher level, which is great prep for college!* How to think through your priorities when considering AP* What does your family hope to get out of an AP class– higher learning, AP credit, boost to school GPA / rank, better teachers, taking class with peers, etc.* What are your alternatives?* What will the student have to give up to take these classes?* How to monitor appropriateness (grades, time spent studying, mental health)* When to go for it, and how to step down if you realize it’s too much