Nationally recognized experts Megan Dorsey and Gretchen Wegner share tips and tricks about creative study strategies, SAT/ACT prep, college applications, essay writing, teen-friendly time management tools, and more. They will also host experts on a number of subjects including scholarships, parenting, test prep, learning differences, NCAA athletics, and more! About the hosts: Megan is a college admissions consultant and test prep guru who helps students and parents plan and prepare for college admission. Gretchen is an academic life coach who helps stressed out students and their families feel smart, confident and ready for the rigors of college without losing their lives to school and studying. Together, they are a one-stop shop for how to survive...and thrive!...during the final approach into higher education.
511: SPECIAL GUEST: Sonia Cacique from The College & Career Ready Podcast
Sonia works with students (and parents!) around career and technical education. Sonia is a student advocate and career coach expert that empowers parents and students in the college and career ready journey. Her goal is to help students with self-awareness, ... Read More »
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2/6/2024 • 25 minutes, 15 seconds
510: How Do I Know if I am Ready for Independence?
Students and parents often wonder what it takes to be indpendent. What skills will they need in college besides academics? How can they start honing those skills now? Erin and Megan go through their top lists of skills and provide ... Read More »
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1/29/2024 • 26 minutes, 2 seconds
509: What are Learning Differences and Should We Get Tested?
Erin goes on a deep dive about Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and the Executive Function while Megan shares questions that parents and students have asked. This episode is a basic primer on Learning Differences and a couple study hacks to help with ... Read More »
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1/22/2024 • 30 minutes, 1 second
508: What’s on Our College Spreadsheets?
A parent writes in and feels overwhelmed with the amount of information coming in about colleges during the application process. How do Megan and Erin keep it all organized? Is there a “best way” to make sure deadlines are compiled ... Read More »
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1/15/2024 • 28 minutes, 52 seconds
507: Burn-Out is real–what can we do about it?
Erin shares that she is beyond burnt-out and has been doing research on what that’s like and what to do about it. Whether you are a student, an educator, or a parent, we all suffer from burn-out. Erin gives some ... Read More »
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1/8/2024 • 24 minutes, 4 seconds
506: All About Financial Aid 2023-24
A parent has a number of questions about financial aid–and Erin and Megan have answers! Everything from the timeline, to how to choose which school based on their offer, this episode is a great overview of the financial aid process.
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1/1/2024 • 28 minutes, 46 seconds
505: Normalizing Rejection
Megan shares advice from a colleague who tells students, “If you get into all the schools on your college list, you may have avoided challenge.” Rejection is normal and natural but students have a hard time with it. How do ... Read More »
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12/25/2023 • 20 minutes, 22 seconds
504: Help! Where should we start planning for college?
“I’m so behind!” Megan and Erin have been hearing this from parents quite a bit.
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12/18/2023 • 32 minutes, 28 seconds
503: College Ideas for Students Who Don’t Seem Ready for Full University Experience
Sometimes, parents aren’t sure their child is ready to go off, live independently, and become a full-time four-year college or university student. If they aren’t quite ready to make that jump, what other options are there? Megan and Erin discuss ... Read More »
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12/11/2023 • 19 minutes, 54 seconds
502: More Than a Gift Idea: GAMES!
Erin uses games and gamification in her work all the time and she is going to share why games are so great for the brain. We’ll break down different types of games and how games can help with Executive Functioning. ... Read More »
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12/4/2023 • 24 minutes, 40 seconds
501: Quantify It: Strategy for College Admission
How can you add value to your college application? It feels like everyone is starting a non-profit–it’s the new “it” item for college admissions–but is it? Megan shares her experience with creating an application that is more informative, useful, and ... Read More »
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11/27/2023 • 25 minutes, 48 seconds
500: Special Guest: How to Encourage Students to Ask for Help
Gretchen Wegner comes back for EPISODE 500!! She challenges Megan and Erin to think about the people they need on their team and how we can help students understand that “asking for support” is an important part of their success. ... Read More »
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11/20/2023 • 29 minutes, 29 seconds
499: Listener E-Mail: Should We Reach Out to the College Admissions Office?
A parent wants to know what to do when college representatives aren’t visiting their local schools. Should they go visit them? Should they call the Admissions office? How will schools know what the individual high schools are like? Megan answers ... Read More »
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11/13/2023 • 22 minutes, 7 seconds
498: Advice for High School Students Considering a Pre-Med/Pre-Vet Path
Megan works with students who are determined to go on a Pre-Med or a Pre-Vet path and she has some ideas and advice! What things should you consider before starting on that path? What should you be looking for? Megan ... Read More »
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11/6/2023 • 15 minutes, 7 seconds
497: Artificial Intelligence and the Ethics of Cheating: Navigating the Digital Age
AI is here! In fact, AI wrote this title! How do students use tech to cheat? What is the deal with AI–how does it work and how can we use it responsibily? What are students saying about tech? Erin shares ... Read More »
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10/30/2023 • 26 minutes, 10 seconds
496: This Year’s Unique FAFSA
Changes are coming to the FAFSA! What is the FAFSA? We’ll tell you and we’ll go over all the new changes from requirements to deadlines. This is a quick overview of what to expect with the 2023 FAFSA.
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10/23/2023 • 16 minutes, 13 seconds
495: Stats Versus Calc: A Showdown
A parent asks – which should my student take? AP Calculus or AP Statistics? What do colleges like to see? Will my math choice be the deciding factor even if I am not a math major? How are the math ... Read More »
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10/16/2023 • 23 minutes, 27 seconds
494: How to Do College Visits The Right Way
It’s time to visit colleges! What should you do? How will you remember one college from the next? How do you use the visit to tailor your application? And Erin provides her list of questions for ask current students. Happy ... Read More »
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10/9/2023 • 19 minutes, 28 seconds
493: Listener E-mail: Senior Year Schedule for a Student with Anxiety
A parent, Lisa, writes in about her daughter who has anxiety. Is it alright to skip the math, science, and foreign language senior year? What do colleges want to see? How do I keep my kid competitive and healthy?
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10/2/2023 • 16 minutes, 43 seconds
492: Update to the SAT & ACT and “never ever” advice from Megan
Megan wished everyone knew these things about the SAT/ACT! We also get an idea about some of the upcoming changes to the digital PSAT and the SAT they are rolling out. What you need to know to give yourself the ... Read More »
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9/25/2023 • 26 minutes, 53 seconds
491: Erin’s Essay Questions: How to Help Students Write an Awesome One
Erin is working with students on the college admission process and she has some questions for Megan about helping with college essays. How much should we help? What if we don’t like the essay? How do we handle the battle ... Read More »
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9/18/2023 • 24 minutes, 13 seconds
490: We Get to Hear From You: Course Selection & Sport Questions
Listener emails!! Today we return from summer with a couple email from you!
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9/11/2023 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
489: Erin’s School Supply Smackdown
Ready for back to school? School supply shopping! It is Erin’s favorite thing to do all year and, like most thing, she has some strong opinions on this subject. She even keeps a page about school supplies on her website ... Read More »
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9/4/2023 • 23 minutes, 2 seconds
488: College Applications Series: Expected Major
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: expected major. Some applications ask you to declare an expected major-how are you supposed to know this? What ... Read More »
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8/28/2023 • 11 minutes, 9 seconds
487: Things Teachers/Professors Wish You Knew
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Erin’s series highlighting the ways in which students can learn key skills to succeed in college. Today’s focus is on what teachers and professors wish you knew. What do teachers ... Read More »
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8/21/2023 • 19 minutes, 41 seconds
486: College Applications Series: Activities
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: activities. What constitutes a good activity list? What if I have a bunch of activities–which should I list? ... Read More »
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8/14/2023 • 13 minutes, 25 seconds
485: Adulting 101 Series: Cleaning/Tidying
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Erin’s series highlighting the ways in which students can learn key skills so they can live independently. Today’s focus is on cleaning. Now that we have covered decluttering (episode 481) ... Read More »
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8/7/2023 • 15 minutes, 57 seconds
484: College Applications Series: Testing
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: testing. This used to be a very factual and straightforward part of college applications, but with the growing ... Read More »
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7/31/2023 • 9 minutes, 29 seconds
483: Adulting 101 Series: Organization
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Erin’s series highlighting the ways in which students can learn key skills so they can live independently. Today’s focus is on organization. Moving from decluttering (episode 481) to organization, Erin ... Read More »
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7/24/2023 • 15 minutes, 38 seconds
482: College Applications Series: Honors
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: honors. If you don’t brag about yourself, no one will. Megan goes through the different ways to fill ... Read More »
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7/17/2023 • 10 minutes, 45 seconds
481: Adulting 101 Series: Decluttering Your Bedroom
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Erin’s series highlighting the ways in which students can learn key skills so they can live independently. Today’s focus is on decluttering. Did you know that decluttering, organizing, and cleaning ... Read More »
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7/10/2023 • 16 minutes, 22 seconds
480: College Applications Series: Education
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: the education section. The education section of college applications is very factual, but there are a few places ... Read More »
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7/3/2023 • 12 minutes, 20 seconds
479: Adulting 101 Series: Self-Care
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Erin’s series highlighting the ways in which students can learn key skills so they can live independently. Today’s focus is on self-care. Adulting is something all students need to be ... Read More »
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6/26/2023 • 12 minutes, 36 seconds
478: College Applications Series: Family Information
We are continuing with our shorter summer episodes and with Megan’s series highlighting the components of the typical college application. Today’s topic: family information. Why do colleges ask for household information and a list of all siblings? Why do they ... Read More »
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6/19/2023 • 10 minutes, 2 seconds
477: Habit Loop
Erin explores how we set habits, tweak habits, and when it is a good idea to sustain a habit. Here are some resources mentioned:
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6/12/2023 • 12 minutes, 29 seconds
476: College Applications Series: Personal & Demographic Information
Megan & Erin are featuring shorter episodes for the summer. This summer Megan is working on a series featuring all parts of a typical college application. Today’s episode kicks off with personal and demographic information. For most applicants, this will ... Read More »
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6/5/2023 • 11 minutes, 9 seconds
Avoid Mistakes When Choosing High School Courses
Most schools have students choose their classes at the end of year. Megan breaks down the five main mistakes she sees college-bound students making with their courseloads. This is a great episode to listen to before we get started with ... Read More »
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5/29/2023 • 26 minutes, 6 seconds
474: The Good and Not So Good of Checklists
Erin took a deep dive into the world of checklists. Human Factors of Fight-Deck Checklists: The Normal Checklist – Degani and Wiener: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910017830 The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande: https://www.amazon.com/Checklist-Manifesto-How-Things-Right/dp/0312430000 Under Pressure – Gareth Lock: https://www.thehumandiver.com/underpressure
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5/22/2023 • 21 minutes, 9 seconds
473: How to Talk to Your Teachers
Students have strong opinions about talking to their teachers. That makes sense since it can be intimidating. Megan and Erin discuss why you should talk to you teachers, when you should talk to them, and how to do it! And ... Read More »
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5/15/2023 • 23 minutes, 8 seconds
472: It’s the end of the school year…now what?
It’s nearly the end of the school year! Megan and Erin have broken down the things that students and families should do over the summer. Heck, sometimes they even disagree! Listen to hear their suggestions about summer assignments, housekeeping tasks, ... Read More »
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5/8/2023 • 23 minutes, 57 seconds
471: Ideas to Improve Student Success in Math
Megan has noticed that students have gaps in their math knowledge, even when they are getting tutoring. Erin reflects on her time as a math teacher and provides some tips for numerical literacy and how to avoid simple math mistakes.
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5/1/2023 • 38 minutes, 15 seconds
470: How to Stop Managing Your Child
Erin always talks about enjoying rather than managing your child and Megan wants to know how to actually do that! Erin provides strategies for talking to your kids as an anxious problem-solving parent and Megan shares some real-world examples of ... Read More »
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4/24/2023 • 32 minutes, 16 seconds
469: Wins and Loses in Admissions This Year
Megan and Erin have college admissions results coming in and they share what they are noticing. What has worked and what hasn’t? What strategies do they have for minimizing unwanted impacts? How has the push for test-optional schools changed the ... Read More »
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4/17/2023 • 28 minutes, 32 seconds
468: The Answers You Don’t Actually Want
Megan tackles some of the honest College Prep answers that families don’t want to hear. Sometimes, tough love is the answer and here are all of the things people ask that Megan winces before answering. Erin asks about whether to ... Read More »
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4/10/2023 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
467: Why is Single Sex Education a Hard Sell?
Erin wonders why so many students are reluctant to consider single-sex institutions. She shares a little of the background of the Seven Sisters and her experience at a women’s-only college. Megan and Erin try to dispel some myths and compare ... Read More »
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4/3/2023 • 20 minutes, 16 seconds
466: Should We Rate Schools Like Ski Slopes?
Megan and Erin chat about the verbiage of college (again) but with a suggestion from a parent on terminology. There is a powerful discussion about how to choose which of the colleges you are accepted into and Erin shares an ... Read More »
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3/27/2023 • 28 minutes, 53 seconds
465: Strategies around going for ED, EA, REA, regular and rolling decisions
A parent Erin works with was asking for clarity about the alphabet soup of acronyms for the various types of college applications. Megan breaks down her strategy for when to apply to schools and how to build momentum as the ... Read More »
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3/20/2023 • 26 minutes, 42 seconds
464: The Importance of the GPA in the College-Admissions Process
A parent, Elisa, wonders about GPAs–what is weighted versus unweighted? How much do they matter in the college admissions process? Megan shares her best advice for choosing a course of study to make you attractive to colleges while Erin encourages ... Read More »
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3/13/2023 • 27 minutes, 19 seconds
463: Homeschooling, Dual-Enrollment, CLEP/IB/AP-credits, and College: What You Need to Know
We hear from Susan, a parent who, after the rigamarole of homeschool college applications, had a few questions and some tips for other parents. When should students enroll in a program outside of homeschooling? How do colleges look at GPAs ... Read More »
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3/6/2023 • 29 minutes
462: How Much Do Majors Matter for Professional Degrees?
A parent wonders, “how to pick a major for students who desire professional certifications.” Megan shares that not all colleges handle majors the same and provides a few tips on choosing a major. Want to be pre-law, pre-med, engineering, or ... Read More »
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2/27/2023 • 23 minutes, 47 seconds
461: Something Better Than “Safety Schools”
Erin shares how her student, Victoria, is whittling down her college list and how some of the terminology can really change our feelings about the various schools. Words like “safety,” “target,” “reach,” and other words that Megan would like to ... Read More »
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2/20/2023 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
460: How Faculty Issues Can Affect Your College Experience
Guest expert Jane Gabin joins Megan to discuss the issue of part time versus tenured faculty. This issue goes beyond the staffing policies of universities and can affect your experience as a student. Jane explains You can search for the ... Read More »
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2/13/2023 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
459: Financial Literacy, Paying for College, and More
A listener writes in with some financial advice and Megan and Erin talk all things money! This episode wants everyone to think about their future selves and how to set yourself (and your family) up for financial success. Links to ... Read More »
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2/6/2023 • 23 minutes, 23 seconds
458: What’s the Point of College?
The listeners ask whether college is about getting a job or being a well-rounded human (Liberal Arts education). Megan and Erin debate the topic with a little help from a listener that wrote in about her experience. So, what is ... Read More »
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1/31/2023 • 21 minutes, 51 seconds
457: How to Find Meaningful Community Service Opportunities
Megan and Erin answer a parent question today about service opportunities and where to find them (even with a busy schedule). Erin gives her top three places to look for meaningful experiences and Megan shares a few opportunities that have ... Read More »
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1/23/2023 • 17 minutes, 56 seconds
456: Stop Saying “This Is So Hard!”
Megan has been hearing students (and her son) say that they “have so much work to do” and that things are “so hard.” How can we help students reframe their thinking? Erin gives a mini-primer of Growth Mindset and encourages ... Read More »
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1/16/2023 • 21 minutes, 8 seconds
455: What You Need to Know About the New Digital SAT
Yes, you read that right, there is a new SAT coming and Megan helps answer all of the questions about what has been announced thus far: Erin and Megan also discuss some of the potential challeges with the new testing ... Read More »
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1/9/2023 • 29 minutes, 37 seconds
454: What’s the Best Advice You Have Received?
We kick off the new year with advice we were given and want to hear yours! Erin talks about a study she read and wonders – how do you get others to take your “good advice?” Link to researcher Lauren ... Read More »
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1/2/2023 • 24 minutes, 31 seconds
453: 2022 Year in Review
Catch up with the team and hear how Megan, Gretchen, and Erin are wrapping up this year and what they are looking forward to next year. Gretchen shares about her new business venture for educators, Megan gives some advice about ... Read More »
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12/26/2022 • 30 minutes, 28 seconds
452: Community Colleges
Once called Junior Colleges, community colleges are local educational institutions that offer a variety of programs with easy access, but the stigma of community colleges has kept students from considering them in their college journey. Hear Erin completely nerd out ... Read More »
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12/20/2022 • 24 minutes, 16 seconds
451: “More Right” — How to Crack Multiple Choice Tests
Multiple choice tests have been both a frustration and a celebration for students–they think it wil be easy and them feel overwhelmed by the choices. Plus, we share some SAT upcoming changes in 2024 and what Megan and her son ... Read More »
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12/12/2022 • 26 minutes, 46 seconds
450: December: Standardized Tests and Final Exams
It’s December and that means it is all about tests–final exams and SAT/ACT planning for juniors. Some seniors are hearing back from colleges while others are working on their final push to complete applications. Megan asks Erin about some study ... Read More »
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12/5/2022 • 21 minutes, 5 seconds
449: Why Colleges Say No–Top Reasons for Rejection
Rejection can hurt and leave us wondering “why?” Megan covers some of the reasons a college might say no to a student. Erin and Megan also discuss how many colleges to apply to and how to strategize when applying to ... Read More »
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11/28/2022 • 26 minutes, 44 seconds
448: Do Colleges Want to See Depth or Breadth?
We’ve all heard that colleges want to see involved students who show academic readiness by completing a rigorous high school program. But do colleges prefer depth– specializing in fields like STEM or humanities, focusing on one or two extracurriculars, or ... Read More »
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11/21/2022 • 24 minutes, 30 seconds
447: How College Rankings Hurt Students
College rankings have been in the news again. Columbia University fell from #2 to #18 after lying about student data. Rankings are flawed and rarely reflect families’ college priorities, but they captivate audiences and continue to drive admission decisions at ... Read More »
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11/14/2022 • 24 minutes, 24 seconds
446: November: Middle of the Semester Tasks for Success
The month of November is deceptively calm for some students, but there are still college planning and academic tasks to complete. Tune in to find out how students can work this month to make the end of the semester much ... Read More »
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11/7/2022 • 18 minutes, 5 seconds
445: How To Identify (And Fix) Common Causes of Procrastination
Many students struggle with procrastination–sometimes for surprising reasons. Erin Wilson of Seattle Success Coaching shares the 5 primary reasons students procrastinate and multiple strategies to get past your desire to put off tasks. There might also be times when procrastination ... Read More »
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10/31/2022 • 20 minutes, 57 seconds
444: Success in Admission Starts with the Right List of Schools [reprise]
This episode originally aired in September 2017. Most admission disappointment start now, with families who don’t take time to create the right college list. Listen in as Megan walks you through the 6 kinds of schools you should definitely apply ... Read More »
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10/24/2022 • 33 minutes, 10 seconds
443: College Admissions Essays: Frequently Asked Questions
Essays can be a key factor in successful college applications. Guest co-host Erin Wilson asks some of the most frequent questions she’s hear from students. Which topics are overdone? Should you disclose a disability? Should the essay focus on your ... Read More »
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10/17/2022 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
442: October: How to Make the Most of the Inevitable Dip This Month
Hopefully you’ve settled into this semester! October is a good time to identify academic weaknesses and make plans for improvement. Gretchen offers strategies for families and teachers to assess progress and work on better habits and grades while there is ... Read More »
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10/10/2022 • 21 minutes, 42 seconds
441: College Orientation: A Make or Break Factor for Student Success
College orientation is not usually a factor students and parents consider when choosing what colleges to apply to, but it should be! Megan walks us through what makes for a good orientation, the power of meaningful connections as soon as ... Read More »
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10/4/2022 • 24 minutes, 31 seconds
440: Stop Student Brain Drain and Take Charge of Technology
We are draining our brains of much needed energy and attention, thanks to social media and the way new communication technologies work. Tune in to discuss a single act that all families can do to help preserve parents’ and students’ ... Read More »
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9/26/2022 • 25 minutes, 27 seconds
439: Time Management or Study Skills: What’s First on the Agenda This School Year?
What should students focus on first this semester, to get things started off right? Megan gets some personal coaching from Gretchen about how to help her son get into better gear this year, and we also discuss how to help ... Read More »
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9/19/2022 • 17 minutes, 53 seconds
438: September: Tips for Teachers AND Students for Getting Off to a Great Start
What can families and educators be considering as we slide into September? Megan and Gretchen share a short checklist of important tasks to consider related to college admissions, academic skill development and classroom routines, as we all try to build ... Read More »
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9/12/2022 • 20 minutes, 56 seconds
437: How & Whether to Build More Rigor Into Your High School Schedule
We love student questions! Yvonne wrote in concerned that she doesn’t have enough rigor in her high school schedule, and wanted to know what to do about it. Megan walks us through how to think about “rigor” in high school, ... Read More »
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9/5/2022 • 28 minutes, 48 seconds
436: How a Student With F’s and ADHD Got Into Her Dream School (from the Archives)
Gretchen’s former client Tatiana had a bumpy transition into college and quickly dropped out. Tune in to hear her tell her own story and learn how she went from despair to elation, eventually transferring to her dream university. This episode ... Read More »
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8/29/2022 • 31 minutes, 8 seconds
435: Megan & Gretchen Review Their Summer and Plans for Fall
Megan and Gretchen catch up, sharing stories about their epic adventures this summer– including international travel, new experiences, and family updates. They also look ahead to what exciting things are coming for the fall. Gretchen has big plans for the ... Read More »
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8/22/2022 • 27 minutes, 4 seconds
434: This Month in August– College Planning & Academic Issues
August means back to school for many students. Even if you don’t return to school until September, there are some planning issues you may want to work through now. Gretchen shares what she considers key issues for academic planning in ... Read More »
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8/15/2022 • 17 minutes, 46 seconds
433: I Wish I Knew How to Best Offer Career Counseling to Students
Over the years, Megan has tried a lot of approaches to helping students choose careers and college majors, but she still doesn’t feel there is an ideal approach. In this summer episode, she and Gretchen outline what they do know ... Read More »
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8/8/2022 • 11 minutes, 43 seconds
432: I Wish I Knew: How to Help Students Better Pay Attention to Attention
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 ... Read More »
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8/1/2022 • 10 minutes, 29 seconds
430: I Wish I Knew: How to Talk to Students About “Learning Transfer”
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 ... Read More »
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7/18/2022 • 10 minutes, 51 seconds
429: How Many Parents Micromanage Their Kids’ Education?!
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 ... Read More »
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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 ... Read More »
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7/4/2022 • 10 minutes, 20 seconds
427: The Actual Cost of Greek Life
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.
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6/27/2022 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
426: How Much Students Fear & Mistrust Teachers
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 ... Read More »
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6/20/2022 • 11 minutes, 4 seconds
425: Early Decisions Has Significant Personal Benefits
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 ... Read More »
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6/13/2022 • 9 minutes, 40 seconds
423: An Often Overlooked Way to Evaluate Colleges – Career Services (From the Archives)
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 ... Read More »
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5/30/2022 • 36 minutes, 7 seconds
422:Don’t Miss These Key Student Action Items in June and July
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 ... Read More »
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5/23/2022 • 18 minutes, 32 seconds
421: SAT or ACT – Which Test is Better?
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 ... Read More »
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5/16/2022 • 24 minutes, 6 seconds
420: A 16-Year-Old’s Takeaways from a Semester of Coaching (From the Archives)
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 ... Read More »
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5/9/2022 • 18 minutes, 36 seconds
419: Key Issues in College Athletic Recruiting with David Robinson
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 ... Read More »
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5/2/2022 • 28 minutes, 8 seconds
416: Let’s Take Teacher (and Student!) Burnout Seriously with Kendrea Hart
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 ... Read More »
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4/11/2022 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 40 seconds
415: April: The Last Month of “Normal”
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 ... Read More »
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4/4/2022 • 19 minutes, 36 seconds
414: New Ideas for Putting Together Your College List (Beyond the Standard Advice)
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 ... Read More »
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3/28/2022 • 19 minutes, 36 seconds
413: Colleges are Marketing to You
If you have a high school junior or senior, you’ve probably seen the college admissions marketing machine in action. Colleges are spending about $1 million dollars each year to attract new students and there are some things you need to ... Read More »
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3/21/2022 • 28 minutes, 55 seconds
412: Help Teens Transition to College with These Surprising Experiences
Preparing for college is not just about academics! Megan and Gretchen discuss a host of easy-to-create, growth-filled experiences that help students gain the skills necessary for independent living on a college campus. For example: social skills and how to meet ... Read More »
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3/14/2022 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
411: How To Handle March’s Sudden Student (and Educator) Slump
The excitement of the new year has worn off. Summer is still too far away and many students fall into a March slump. Gretchen walks us through strategies to stay focused during this challenging part of the school year. Listen ... Read More »
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3/7/2022 • 18 minutes, 11 seconds
410: More Note Taking Strategies for the Savvy Student
Gretchen is hot off of a speaking gig all about note taking, and was impressed with the good questions the high schoolers asked her. Hear her answers, and take your note taking to the next level. What if you can’t ... Read More »
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2/28/2022 • 23 minutes, 1 second
409 – How to Get Accommodations on the ACT / SAT
Would you benefit from extra time on the SAT, or other accommodations? Megan breaks down everything you need to know about accommodations on college prep testing. Together with Gretchen, she discusses: who can receive testing accommodations what accommodations are possible ... Read More »
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2/21/2022 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
408: Two Straightforward Steps to Taking Great Notes
Too often educators teach specific note taking strategies like Cornell Notes without teaching students WHY they work. Tune in to hear Gretchen outline a straightforward approach to helping take better notes. Specifically, she discusses: Review the Study Cycle, which summarizes ... Read More »
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2/14/2022 • 35 minutes, 56 seconds
407: Controversy – How Binding Is Early Decision & What You Should Know
Recently the New York Times shared an article questioning how binding early decision admissions truly are to families. Megan shares more about the controversy that erupted, and shares her own two cents about how families can navigate early decision with ... Read More »
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2/7/2022 • 23 minutes, 54 seconds
406: The Study Tool That Every Classroom & Home Needs NOW!
It’s the start of a new semester, which means time to hone your study skills!! Tune in while Gretchen breaks down her three step study cycle, and explains how to use a very specific study tool to rock your learning ... Read More »
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1/31/2022 • 23 minutes, 41 seconds
405: Finding Scholarships – Specific Steps & Realistic Expectations
Finding the right scholarships takes planning! Megan breaks down how sophomores and juniors in high school can consider scholarship potential as they are narrowing down their list. Specifically she shares: How to have realistic expectations for how much money is ... Read More »
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1/24/2022 • 27 minutes, 55 seconds
404: “Turn Your Camera On!?” How to Help Students Participate Better in Class
Students are hesitant to turn their videos on in zoom classes. What other ways are there to participate effectively in virtual (and in person) classes? Gretchen shares some wisdom from a recent teacher PD she taught. Specifically, she and Megan ... Read More »
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1/17/2022 • 20 minutes, 26 seconds
403: What We Really Should Pay Attention to About Student Mental Health
Student mental health troubles is at an all time high! How can families and educators pay attention to the signs, and what can we do to better prioritize our student’s health and happiness first and foremost? Gretchen and Megan discuss ... Read More »
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1/10/2022 • 21 minutes, 55 seconds
402: Some Surprising College Rejection Lessons
This fall we’ve seen some students rejected from schools where they expected offers of admission. In some cases these rejections seemed surprising. However, Megan lays out why the rejections made so much sense, and what famillies can do to avoid ... Read More »
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1/3/2022 • 25 minutes, 1 second
401: How Better Sleep Helps Us Learn Better Too + Hot Sleep Tips
Did you know that better sleep actually helps us learn? But so many students choose to get less sleep because they are cramming or trying to learn! Megan shares what she learned from the book Why Sleep Matters, and provides ... Read More »
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12/27/2021 • 21 minutes, 58 seconds
400: Six Myths about College Admissions That Students Should Stop Believing
[This episode originally aired November 23, 2015.] There are six common myths and misunderstandings that many students and parents believe that cause extra stress senior year. They may also hurt your prospects for getting in to college. Megan breaks them ... Read More »
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12/20/2021 • 24 minutes, 18 seconds
399: Teaching Students (and Ourselves!) to Run Self-Experiments
What’s the best way to motivate students (and ourselves) to change behaviors? One way is to teach them how to run self experiments. Through stories and examples, Megan and Gretchen discuss what it means to self-experiment, why it works, and ... Read More »
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12/13/2021 • 21 minutes, 36 seconds
398: Final Exam Studying – Advice for Teachers and Students
It’s final exam time! What can teachers do to better set students up for their exams? What can students do to better prepare? Gretchen lays down the anti-cram law with some study tips for everyone. Specifically she and Megan discuss: ... Read More »
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12/7/2021 • 20 minutes, 57 seconds
397: Yes! Even a “C” Student Can Go To a 4-Year College
Many parents and students are terrified that low grades will keep them from getting into college. But that’s not the case at all! Megan reassures us that there are many options, and provides some tips for how to sift the ... Read More »
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11/29/2021 • 23 minutes, 44 seconds
396: Tips for Being Productive on Vacation Without Sacrificing Downtime
Many students and educators go into a week long vacation like Thanksgiving with high hopes for how to be productive while away from school. Maybe you have a lot of late work to make up? Maybe you want to study ... Read More »
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11/22/2021 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
395: How to “Convince” Your Resistant Teen to Try Coaching
Parents: What if you know your teen needs coaching, but they simply aren’t interested? Gretchen gives you some pointers for how to get them ready to accept the idea of getting academic support. This podcast episode is from the archives. ... Read More »
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11/15/2021 • 26 minutes, 1 second
394: How to Do An Audit of Your Notes
How good are your notes? Have you gotten “lazy” as Gretchen has? Note-taking is arguably the most important skill academic coaches teach students, and we could ALL benefit from an audit of how well we do, students and educators alike. ... Read More »
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11/8/2021 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
393: Expectations for College Night, Info Sessions & Tours
Should you be nervous when you go to your first college night, info session or tour? What should you expect, and how can you make the best use of your time when you talk to a college representative. Megan walks ... Read More »
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11/1/2021 • 25 minutes, 25 seconds
392: How to Get (or Write!) an Amazing Letter of Recommendation
Find out what colleges are looking for in a good recommendation letter, what teachers should and shouldn’t say, and what families can do to help ensure that your letters knock it out of the park. In this episode that originally ... Read More »
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10/25/2021 • 38 minutes, 7 seconds
391: How to Respond When a Teacher Humiliates You in Class
Have you ever had a teacher who called you out in class? Did you feel humiliated? Gretchen and Megan talk out a recent situation Gretchen encountered with a college student, including how to assess what your next actions should be ... Read More »
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10/18/2021 • 24 minutes, 21 seconds
390: A New-ish Take on Accountability for Students… and All Humans!
Accountability is a word that sounds dry and tedious. But what if it were inspiring and fun? Gretchen reimagines accountability by telling a story of a sneaky way she supports her clients (adults and kids) to take action, and asks ... Read More »
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10/11/2021 • 19 minutes, 36 seconds
389: Identifying (and Fixing!) Your College Admissions Weaknesses
It’s not as complicated as you think to identify your college admissions weaknesses. But it CAN be confusing to figure out how to fix them! Megan breaks down a simple process for figuring out how to look your best for ... Read More »
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10/4/2021 • 20 minutes, 7 seconds
388: Should You Use the Pass/Fail Option When It Comes to Grades?
Some high schools are respond to the COVID crisis by allowing students to take some classes pass/fail. When does it make sense to do this, and when are you hurting your college admissions if you do? Megan breaks down the ... Read More »
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9/27/2021 • 18 minutes, 27 seconds
387: 7 Tips for Taking Your First Test This Semester
The first tests of the school year are happening now for many students! Check out these 7 tips for how to get prepped to take your first assessments, including: Understand the study cycle. For more info about this, see www.gretchenwegner.com/actionguide ... Read More »
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9/20/2021 • 0
386: What’s Impressive for College Admissions?!
Have you heard of the new AP Capstone experience? Megan shares about what it is, whether it’s worth all the work for students and schools, and what’s truly impressive for colleges (and what isn’t). This podcast episode was inspired by ... Read More »
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9/13/2021 • 19 minutes, 44 seconds
385: The Most Important Question to Ask This School Year
What’s the one question we should be asking students, and ourselves, this school year? Gretchen shares what a simple question that is becoming more and more central in her work with students, educators, and coaches starting their own businesses. The ... Read More »
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9/6/2021 • 19 minutes, 55 seconds
384: We’re Back! The Co-Hosts Catch Up About Summer Adventures & Fall Plans
Megan and Gretchen catch up, sharing stories about their epic adventures this summer. They also look ahead to what exciting things are coming for the fall. In this episode find out about: Gretchen’s big road trip in her camper van, ... Read More »
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8/30/2021 • 19 minutes, 40 seconds
383: Case Study – How One College Student Goes From F’s to A’s in Physics
How does a student recover from “hitting bottom”, and failing a class and tests multiple times? In this final Summer Case Study, Gretchen shares a success story from a college student she worked with last semester. Tune to in to ... Read More »
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8/23/2021 • 10 minutes, 49 seconds
382: Case Study – How Two Students Got Smart About Extracurriculars
Many students believe that they’re supposed to “check off” as many impressive extracurriculars as possible, if they want to get into a good college. But actually, there are some smarter (and more fun) ways to think about your extracurriculars. Megan ... Read More »
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8/16/2021 • 12 minutes, 30 seconds
381: Case Study – AP Study Skills Class a Game Changer for Underprepared Students
Many students come into Advanced Placement classes with skill deficits when it comes to learning. How can schools help bridge this “preparation gap”? Gretchen shares a real-life story about an AP teacher who did just that for her 97% economically ... Read More »
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8/9/2021 • 11 minutes, 41 seconds
380: When the College You Chose Ends Up Being a Bad Fit
Sometimes a family can overlook a key characteristic in a college that makes it an extraordinarily bad fit for a student. In this shorter summer episode, Megan tells a story about a student who ended up choosing the exact wrong ... Read More »
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8/2/2021 • 10 minutes, 17 seconds
378: When You’re Kicked Out of College First Semester
What happened when one of Megan’s students got kicked out of college his first semester of freshman year? Megan walks us through what happens you a student gets too much freedom too soon, and includes some tips for the types ... Read More »
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7/19/2021 • 11 minutes, 52 seconds
377: Case Study – How One School Achieved a 50% Drop in “Worried Parent” Calls
The impact of teaching a study skills class to middle school students has some surprising benefits! In this Summer Case Study episode, Gretchen shares about an innovative Study Skills program for 7th graders. Not only did the requests for one-to-one ... Read More »
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7/12/2021 • 9 minutes, 2 seconds
376: When You Get Rejected from Every College You Apply To
What happens when you assume you’ll get into all your college choices and don’t include a back up school? Sometimes you can get rejected from every school you apply to! In this shorter summer episode, Megan walks us through this ... Read More »
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7/5/2021 • 9 minutes, 25 seconds
375: Case Study – The Varied Backgrounds of Expert Academic Coaches
Expert academic coaches come in all shapes and sizes! Over the years training folks to start their businesses, Gretchen has encountered a surprising array of reasons that people shift their careers and become coaches. In this Summer Case Study episode, ... Read More »
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6/28/2021 • 15 minutes, 30 seconds
374: Disasters in Standardized Testing
What happens to students who don’t heed Megan’s warnings about how to approach their SAT’s, ACT’s and other standardized tests? In today’s shorter summer episode, Megan walks us through some disaster scenarios that actually happened to some of her student ... Read More »
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6/21/2021 • 10 minutes, 42 seconds
373: Confused About College Jargon? Here are Definitions.
Are you confused about all the collegiate jargon? Maybe you are an international student or a parent who hasn’t been in school for many years. Maybe you are trying to navigate all the terms and graduation requirements for your new ... Read More »
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6/15/2021 • 34 minutes, 36 seconds
372: 10 Things Schools Get Wrong About Student Learning & Wellbeing
Have you ever thought about why schools are structured the way they are, from grades to homework and more? Researchers and authors Jared Cooney Horvath and David Bott chat with Megan and Gretchen about their latest book 10 Things Schools ... Read More »
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6/7/2021 • 46 minutes, 32 seconds
371: What to Know About the Latest Changes in College Admissions Testing
If it seems like there are changes every few months in colleges admissions testing, there are! Megan walks us through the latest shifts, and gives advice for families who are transitioning their students to college in the next few years. ... Read More »
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5/31/2021 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
370: Have You Considered Taking a Gap Year?
Many students are exhausted with learning during a pandemic, and more and more are considering taking a gap year between high school and college. In this episode, we chat with Rebecca Barr from www.EFGapyear.com about how gap years work and ... Read More »
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5/24/2021 • 34 minutes, 18 seconds
369: How to Search for Colleges When You Do & Don’t Want Religion to Be a Major Factor
Do you want a college that supports your religious beliefs? Or would you prefer a college that is not religious at all? Today Megan walks us through several tips for how to do a college search if you do or ... Read More »
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5/17/2021 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
368: 6 Steps to Wrap Up Your Semester
It’s the end of the semester! Here are 6 straightforward tasks that will help you wrap things up, and position yourself to take a full break this summer, and then rock the next school year. Gretchen and Megan chat about: ... Read More »
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5/10/2021 • 20 minutes, 48 seconds
367: Tips to Survive the End of This Horrible School Year: A Nervous System Perspective
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 ... Read More »
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5/3/2021 • 31 minutes, 51 seconds
366: Tips to Help Students Plan & Study for Finals
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 ... Read More »
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4/26/2021 • 28 minutes, 56 seconds
365: Scams (and Shams) That Target High School Students & their Families
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 ... Read More »
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4/20/2021 • 27 minutes, 36 seconds
364: Mental Health Tips for Students at This Stage of the Semester… & Pandemic
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 ... Read More »
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4/12/2021 • 32 minutes, 14 seconds
363: 5 Secrets to Taking Multiple Choice Tests Well
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 ... Read More »
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4/5/2021 • 36 minutes, 20 seconds
362: Best Practices for Empowering Black & Brown Students with Guest Taryn Fletcher
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, ... Read More »
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3/29/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 48 seconds
361: Does It Matter What Academic Skills We Teach Students First?
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 ... Read More »
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3/22/2021 • 24 minutes, 46 seconds
360: The Absolute BEST Way to Prep for College Success
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 ... Read More »
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3/15/2021 • 20 minutes, 5 seconds
359: Engaging Your Reluctant Teen in College Planning and Academic Success
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 ... Read More »
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3/8/2021 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
358: How to Stay Motivated in the Midst of Increasing Pressure
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 ... Read More »
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3/1/2021 • 39 minutes, 21 seconds
357: Supporting Undocumented Students with the College Search Process
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 ... Read More »
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2/22/2021 • 28 minutes, 39 seconds
356: What (Not) To Do When Hiring An Academic Coach
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. ... Read More »
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2/15/2021 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
355: Realistic Strategies for Reducing College Costs
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 ... Read More »
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2/8/2021 • 27 minutes, 4 seconds
354: 6 Academic Resources Students Don’t Use Enough
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 ... Read More »
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2/1/2021 • 24 minutes, 40 seconds
353: AP or Not to AP: Controversy & Considerations [Reprise]
(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 ... Read More »
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1/25/2021 • 39 minutes, 44 seconds
352: Stop Telling Students to “Study” & Try This Instead
When students grades are lower than you’d like, how do you talk them through improving them? Too often parents tell students to “study,” but that’s not enough. Here’s how to get specific about what actions students can take. In today’s ... Read More »
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1/18/2021 • 29 minutes, 31 seconds
351: Start the New Semester Better Than Before
It’s the start to a new semester, which means a fresh start and one more opportunity to turn the school year around. Tune in as Gretchen and Megan discuss tips for how to set yourself up for success this spring. ... Read More »
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1/12/2021 • 24 minutes, 22 seconds
350: Unconventional Ways of Getting to the College of Your Dreams
Not every student is built for an immediate transition from high school into the college of their dreams. Megan lays out unconventional pathways that can help students who need more support transition into their ideal college. Specifically, she discusses: School ... Read More »
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1/4/2021 • 27 minutes, 37 seconds
349: 5 Fears Students Have That Need to Be Acknowledged (From the Archives)
Sometimes adults forget that being a student is an emotionally taxing job, and students need reassurance! On today’s New Year’s episode we discuss the 5 ways that feelings get in the way of student success if they’re not acknowledged. Each ... Read More »
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12/28/2020 • 26 minutes, 29 seconds
348: Ways We Hope Schools Don’t “Go Back to Normal”
As we celebrate the holidays together, let’s envision what’s possible for schools and schooling! How can we use some of the changes forced by this global pandemic to create something beautiful and new, and not just “go back to normal”? ... Read More »
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12/21/2020 • 34 minutes, 5 seconds
347: Access Scholarships: How to Find, Apply, and Earn Scholarships with Ayden Berkey
Who doesn’t want to make college life easier and more affordable? Today Megan talks with Ayden Berkey of Accessscholarships.com a new site for students to find scholarships and resources that are: Personalized to your year, school, area of study, etc. ... Read More »
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12/14/2020 • 26 minutes, 11 seconds
346: The Right and Wrong Ways to Use Study Guides to Prep for Tests
In junior high and high school, teachers often hand out study guides to help students prepare for tests. However, there’s a wrong way and a right way to use them, if you care about optimal learning! Listen in for the ... Read More »
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12/7/2020 • 26 minutes, 30 seconds
345: Watch Out for Fake Practice Tests for the SAT & ACT
Did you know that many of the practice SAT & ACT tests offered by companies to help you study — are fake?! Don’t fall for fake tests! Megan walks you through how to make sure the practice tests you are ... Read More »
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11/30/2020 • 25 minutes, 33 seconds
344: The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids with Elaine Taylor Klause
Parents, have you done an inventory recently of the way you talk about and to your kids? are you 100% sure it’s shame and blame free? Join Elaine Taylor Klause in this interview as we discuss her “coach approach” to ... Read More »
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11/23/2020 • 38 minutes, 52 seconds
343: Tips for How to Search for Colleges During COVID and Beyond
Putting together your college list is daunting at any time, much less during a global pandemic. However, there are some straightforward tips you can follow for how to research the best college for you during this strange time. Megan walks ... Read More »
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11/16/2020 • 23 minutes, 20 seconds
342: Teens Tutor Teens: How One Student Started Her Own Peer Tutoring Network
Peer tutoring is a super effective method for improving academic skills. Meet Gabriela Nguena Jones, a teenager who started a nonprofit dedicated to teens tutoring teens. She chats with Megan and Gretchen about: what prompted her to start a nonprofit ... Read More »
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11/9/2020 • 31 minutes, 1 second
341: Accommodations, Waivers & Special Circumstances in College Testing & Admissions
Although there is a “standard” path towards college for most students, there are many families who have special circumstances. Tune in as Megan discusses all things unique in the college admissions process, including: how to apply for fee waivers, why ... Read More »
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11/2/2020 • 23 minutes, 17 seconds
340: A Crucial Learning Habit for Students During Distance Learning and Beyond
Now that so many students are studying virtually, they learning world is limited to two dimensions. That means that now, more than ever, students need to learn the power of 3D learning tools — what Gretchen calls the “Study Senses.” ... Read More »
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10/26/2020 • 23 minutes, 48 seconds
339: How to Build Strong Virtual Relationships with Professors
In this new age of virtual learning, how does a student build a strong enough relationship with a teacher in order to ask for a letter of recommendation? Megan and Gretchen take on the following listener question: One fear I ... Read More »
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10/19/2020 • 22 minutes, 29 seconds
338: How to Read a 400 Page Book in Under 2 Hours
One of the most time consuming activities for students is reading! Tune in to discover simple tips for reading faster and more effectively than you ever thought possible. The section of the book readers usually skip (but shouldn’t) How to ... Read More »
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10/12/2020 • 0
337: How Colleges Evaluate Applicants – The Breakdown
Don’t fall prey to myths about how colleges evaluate their applicants! If you have a full understanding of all the criteria, you can better plan for a more successful college search. Here’s the breakdown: Know the 6 factors that are ... Read More »
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10/6/2020 • 30 minutes, 3 seconds
336: How To Make College Visits Like A Pro with Danielle Marshall
Not sure where to start with visiting colleges? Have you visited a school or two only to get overwhelmed with information? In today’s episode, Megan talks with Danielle Marshall, author of “The College Visit Journal: Campus Visits Demystified.” Danielle knows ... Read More »
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9/28/2020 • 30 minutes, 50 seconds
335: One Black Student’s Advice for White Academic Coaches
What does one black student wish white academic coaches would know about how to better support him about race? Recently Gretchen sat down with a former client to have a straightforward conversation about race. In this excerpt from the longer ... Read More »
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9/21/2020 • 31 minutes, 11 seconds
334: Understanding the PSAT & National Merit Scholarships
The PSAT is practice for 95% of test takers. But for the other 5% it is an important test that qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Learn more during this episode about how to tackle the PSAT, whether ... Read More »
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9/14/2020 • 27 minutes, 49 seconds
333: Tips for Families at the Start of the Weirdest School Year Ever
What are academic coaches noticing as they start working with students this school year? Listen in as six Anti-Boring Approach coaches share reflections based on their coaching sessions thus far this year. Each one also shares a specific tips for ... Read More »
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9/7/2020 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
331: Ten Tips for Learning from a Screen
There’s going to be lots of virtual learning this school year! Check out these ten tips for how to learn best when your teacher, textbook, and tools are all (or mostly) via a screen. How to set up your space ... Read More »
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8/24/2020 • 20 minutes, 56 seconds
332: Updates for the SAT, ACT & PSAT: Who Should Test & Who Should Wait
Although many colleges have relaxed their requirements for standardized testing this year, many students still want to take the SAT, ACT or PSAT. Megan walks you through how to decide whether you should go ahead with testing as planned, or ... Read More »
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8/10/2020 • 21 minutes, 39 seconds
330: The Weirdest School Year Ever – A Personal Check In
Welcome to the weirdest school year ever! We thought it would be a good idea to check in with each other, share about our strange summers, and look ahead to plans for a very different kind of school year. Tune ... Read More »
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8/10/2020 • 34 minutes, 6 seconds
329: How Will Cost Play a Factor in Your College Choices?
College is expensive! Megan provides some tips for how to start thinking about costs, and talking about it with our student and family members. She covers topics such as: How to talk to your student about the reality of college ... Read More »
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8/10/2020 • 14 minutes, 9 seconds
328: Calendaring Habits to Get in Gear Before School Starts
Some students are super resistant to using calendars. What can parents do to nurture the habit of calendaring? Tune in to hear more details about the following 4 tips from Gretchen: Make sure they HAVE a digital calendar and that ... Read More »
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8/3/2020 • 14 minutes, 38 seconds
327: A Much-Needed New Tool to Organize & Plan for College Admission
Finally! There’s a new planner in the works that combines all the important college admissions tasks while also tracking a high school students’ assignments and due dates. Tune in to hear more about Megan’s newly designed planner, just in time ... Read More »
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7/27/2020 • 10 minutes, 6 seconds
326: 3+ Digital Clean Ups for Teens & Adults to Do Over the Summer
Summer is an ideal time to clean house, digitally speaking. Here are 3+ simple tasks everyone can do to clean up their computers and phone apps so they are ready for an uncluttered new school year: Install an adblock Clean ... Read More »
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7/21/2020 • 13 minutes, 46 seconds
325: What Calculator Should You Use on the ACT or SAT?
Yes! You CAN use calculators on the ACT or SAT. But it matters which one you bring on test day, so pay attention as Megan schools you on clever calculator criteria. Specifically she discusses the importance of: Avoid last minute ... Read More »
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7/13/2020 • 13 minutes, 24 seconds
324: Two Interesting Assessments Students Can Take Over the Summer
Got a little extra time this summer and looking for something interesting to do? Gretchen recommends these two online assessments students can take to learn more about their brains and their career prospects. First, Mindprint Learning is an interesting assessment ... Read More »
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7/6/2020 • 14 minutes, 6 seconds
323: Urban Legend or Reality – Do Colleges Actually Rescind Offers of Admission?
Teachers often threaten that students need to stay academically engaged through senior year because colleges might take away their offer of admissions. But is this a myth or reality? Megan weighs in with the following discussion: Why it is indeed ... Read More »
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6/29/2020 • 12 minutes, 7 seconds
322: Teach a Surprising Amount in Under 10 Minutes with the “Mini-Lecture”
Everyone has less attention span these days. How can educators package the most important study theory and strategies for students in a way they will actually hear? The answer is the “mini-lecture” and Gretchen unpacks what that is and how ... Read More »
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6/22/2020 • 10 minutes, 58 seconds
321: Big Issues to Consider Before Writing College Admissions Essays
Summer is the best time to write your college admissions essays! So how should you get started? Megan walks you through four steps including: Get organized — know what schools, what questions, how many unique essays and short answers you ... Read More »
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6/15/2020 • 13 minutes, 45 seconds
320: Help Students Rely Less on Nagging and More On Themselves
How can students take responsibility for reminding themselves to follow through on tasks large and small? Without relying on mom or dad for nagging? In this mini-episode Gretchen shares one of her favorite ways to get students to start thinking ... Read More »
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6/8/2020 • 11 minutes, 33 seconds
319: Semester, Trimester, Quarter, or Block Schedules– Which is Best?
Which college schedule is best for a student with ADHD – semesters or quarters? Recently one of Gretchen’s Anti-Boring Approach Licensed Coaches sent an email asking just that, and Megan & Gretchen chatted about it on this episode of the ... Read More »
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6/1/2020 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
318: 5 Mistakes Parents Make When Hiring Tutors
There are appropriate (and inappropriate) times during the school year or college admission process to hire a tutor. Make sure you know the ins and outs of when and how to hire a tutor so that you can save time, ... Read More »
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5/25/2020 • 33 minutes, 28 seconds
317: 7 Phases of the College Sports Recruiting Process
There’s a university for everyone, and a college sports team too. If you’re curious about how to prepare for college sports recruitment, even if you’re as young as 8th grade, this interview with Guest Expert Chris Stack is a must-listen. ... Read More »
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5/18/2020 • 38 minutes, 10 seconds
316: Is She a Hypocrite? Why Gretchen Doesn’t Follow Her Academic Advice
Gretchen is taking a couple of classes this semester, and she is fascinated to notice that she’s a bad student! Or more specifically: She doesn ’t follow her own advice about learning. Tune in to find out why, and what she’s ... Read More »
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5/11/2020 • 27 minutes, 6 seconds
315: SAT Delays? Final Exams (or Not)?! How to Navigate This Strange End-of-Semester
Standardized tests have been delayed. Many high schools are replacing final exams with final projects. Megan and Gretchen check in about the changes they’re seeing in In the world of college planning and test prep, Megan shares: How to handle ... Read More »
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5/4/2020 • 34 minutes, 9 seconds
314: A Fascinating (and Free!) Career Exploration Tool for Teens
Introducing the ASVAB, a completely free tool to help students discover their career aptitudes! Guest expert Kate McLean breaks down why this is such a useful tool, and how families might get access to it. Specifically, she discusses: What the ... Read More »
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4/27/2020 • 28 minutes, 34 seconds
313: Take Your College Visits to the Next Level [Reprise]
College visits can get repetitive and boring, and the “official” tours offered by the school don’t always reveal the hidden details that help you make a decision about which school is best for you. In this episode from the archives ... Read More »
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4/20/2020 • 31 minutes, 54 seconds
312: Tailor Your College Application to Improve Your Admission Chances
Admission to state universities can be very competitive. Your chances of admission increase significantly when you tailor your college application to the specific focus on each school on your list. Listen in a Megan visits with Wei-Li Sun an expert ... Read More »
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4/13/2020 • 39 minutes, 47 seconds
311: Is Freshman Year Too Soon for SAT Subject Tests & Test Prep?
Recently we got a question about when students should take their SAT subject tests. Tune in as Megan answers that question…and provides other tips about test prep for the subject tests. Here is the exact question the mom Nathalie asked: ... Read More »
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4/6/2020 • 17 minutes, 41 seconds
310: Tips from Admissions Insiders About What Colleges are Really Looking For
Ever wonder what the folks in college admissions departments actually think about students’ applications? Maxine Seya actually interviewed several of them, and learned a lot in the process, which she shares with the College Prep Podcast. Join Gretchen and Megan, ... Read More »
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3/30/2020 • 28 minutes, 32 seconds
309: How Teens Can Accept Defeat with Grace (In College Admissions and Beyond)
It’s the time of year students get the news about what colleges they have (and haven’t!) been accepted into. The reality of the rejection is a lot harder than many families expect. Megan and Gretchen reflect about how parents can ... Read More »
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3/23/2020 • 18 minutes, 45 seconds
A Personal Message from Megan & Gretchen
Should we change our podcast programming during the Corona Virus shutdowns? Megan and Gretchen decided not to, and explain why during this check in. Megan also gives an update on college admissions for high school juniors and seniors.
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3/19/2020 • 14 minutes, 32 seconds
308: Advice About Corona Virus Changes to Schooling and College Admissions
The Corona Virus is changing everything for parents, students, and teachers, for the short term and possibly the long. Megan and Gretchen weigh in about how to maneuver through all the changes one day at a time. Specifically they discuss: ... Read More »
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3/16/2020 • 31 minutes, 15 seconds
307: 10 Ways to Stay Awake in a Boring Class
School is boring much of the time! So how do you stay awake and engaged when your whole system wants to tune out? Gretchen walks students through more than 10 simple ways to keep yourself going so you can learn ... Read More »
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3/9/2020 • 20 minutes, 50 seconds
306: The Differences Between High School and College Learning with Leonard Geddes
Many students experience a rude awakening when they get to college, and realize they aren’t ready to do the kinds of learning and thinking tasks college professors expect. Guest Expert Leonard Geddes breaks down the key differences between high school ... Read More »
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3/2/2020 • 29 minutes, 6 seconds
305: How to Do College Visits and Why They’re Important
Visiting colleges is an important factor in deciding what school to go to! Megan breaks down the who, what, when, where, why and how of planning and going on your college visits. Specifically she discusses: why college visits are important ... Read More »
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2/24/2020 • 24 minutes, 19 seconds
304: Why Students Don’t Ask for Help and What to Do About it
There are two huge reasons why students don’t ask for help, but this can change with a little prodding. Gretchen breaks down how to help students get over their discomfort with looking “stupid” and asking the right questions to get ... Read More »
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2/17/2020 • 17 minutes, 13 seconds
303: In-State Tuition – Who Qualifies and What is the Cost Difference?
There are a number of misconceptions that families have about state schools and in- and out- of state tuition. Megan breaks down everything you need to know if you’re considering going to a state school (and might convince you why ... Read More »
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2/10/2020 • 25 minutes
302: Select the Right High School Classes to Avoid Common Pitfalls
This episode is a re-broadcast of episode 30 originally published on February 30, 2015. However, the content is still relevant today! Enjoy. It’s course selection time at high schools across the country! If you’re the parent of a rising freshman, ... Read More »
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2/3/2020 • 40 minutes, 9 seconds
301: Listen In On One of Gretchen’s Training Calls with Teachers
Have you ever wondered what teachers’ who care about student learning talk about when they’re in a room alone withe each other? In this episode Gretchen lets you “in” on what the discussions in her Anti-Boring Educators’ Club are like. ... Read More »
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1/27/2020 • 25 minutes, 23 seconds
300: Don’t Stretch the Truth; Colleges Are Fact Checking More Applications
Thanks to the Varsity Blues scandals, colleges are reviewing their application policies and looking to improve the integrity of their admissions systems. What does this mean for high school seniors applying to colleges? Tune in to find out. In today’s ... Read More »
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1/20/2020 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
299: Parenting Differently Wired Kids with Debbie Reber
Parenting is always challenging, and being a parent of a “differently wired” kids comes with its unique set of adventures. Listen in as parenting expert Debbie Reber shares tips for navigating the transition from homeschooling to high school with a ... Read More »
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1/13/2020 • 39 minutes, 11 seconds
298: How to Reduce the Harm of Constant Comparison
A downside of being a student is that you’re the subject of constant comparison to other students — whether it’s related to smartness, grades, SAT scores, or what college you got into. There are some simple ways adults can shift ... Read More »
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1/6/2020 • 31 minutes, 44 seconds
297: Have We Really Been Podcasting for 7 Years?!
Can it be that we are still podcasting as we start our 7th year?! We’ve outlasted many of our “competitors” who were also doing college prep podcasting back in 2014 when we began. Join Megan and Gretchen as we reflect ... Read More »
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12/30/2019 • 39 minutes, 53 seconds
296: Updated Advice — Do You Need to Take the Written Essay on the ACT/SAT?
The advice has changed! Although we used to suggest that students should always write the “optional” essay on the ACT/SAT, now it really depends. Tune in to hear the updates on this key college admissions topic. Specifically, Megan walks you ... Read More »
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12/23/2019 • 16 minutes, 43 seconds
295: Junior Year Status Check – Are You on Track with Essential College Tasks?
Junior year is supposed to be “the most important year” of high school! Megan breaks down why that is, and gives you a 5-part checklist for how to tell if you’re on track with making the most of the year. ... Read More »
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12/16/2019 • 21 minutes, 52 seconds
294: Learning How to Learn: Hot Tips from a University Learning Center
University learning centers are a lesser-known gem on college learning centers. Guest expert Lauren Hensley from the Ohio State University explains about how their learning center helps students learn how to learn, and provides tips for parents and students about ... Read More »
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12/9/2019 • 38 minutes, 37 seconds
293: 7 Types of Students and Their Study Blindspots (Reprise)
There are 7 different types of students, in Gretchen’s experience, who have 7 different approaches to school and studying. As final exams approach, it’s a great opportunity to explore each type of student’s weaknesses in regards to studying, and what ... Read More »
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12/2/2019 • 33 minutes, 38 seconds
292: 15+ Anti-Boring Ways to Study for Final Exams
Study Smorgasbord! Gretchen lists more than 15 anti-boring strategies students can choose from as they prepare for final exams, to make sure that they’re practicing retrieval and encoding in new ways. Tune in to learn: The 3 most important steps ... Read More »
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11/25/2019 • 36 minutes, 32 seconds
291: How to Pay for College with ROTC Scholarships
For students open to spending a few years in military service after college graduation, the ROTC offers generous scholarships. Join us for an interview with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland, as he explains how families might take advantage of this opportunity. ... Read More »
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11/18/2019 • 35 minutes, 1 second
290: Will My High SAT Score Make Up for a Lower GPA in College Admission?
In today’s episode, Megan responds to a mom’s question about how to choose what schools her son has a chance of getting into based on his high SAT but average GPA scores. Here’s Sandra’s question: Any tips on how to ... Read More »
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11/11/2019 • 32 minutes, 22 seconds
289: Q&A – College Apps, Homeschooling & the Duke TIP Program
We love it when families reach out with questions! Today Megan and Gretchen tackle topics related to college admissions, the Duke TIP program for 7th graders, homeschooling, and more! Switching to ACT. My son thought the SAT would be his ... Read More »
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11/4/2019 • 31 minutes, 38 seconds
288: 6 Persistence Challenges that Keep Students from Graduating College
Getting students to persist through college is as — or more! — important than getting in. But families often put so much effort into the first part of the process that they forget to pay attention to the second. Gretchen ... Read More »
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10/28/2019 • 31 minutes, 27 seconds
287: How College Makes or Breaks Us: An Interview with Journalist and Author Paul Tough
Does college still work? Is the system designed just to protect the privileged and leave everyone else behind? Or can a college education today provide real opportunity to young Americas. Join us for an interview with journalist and author Paul ... Read More »
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10/21/2019 • 29 minutes, 27 seconds
286: SAT or ACT? How to Decide Which Test is Best
The most common question Megan gets from families is how to choose between the ACT, SAT or both? The answer is sadly not clear cut, so Megan walks parents through a number of considerations around the following three questions: Will ... Read More »
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10/14/2019 • 29 minutes, 15 seconds
285: Tips for Parents About How to (Not) Check Your Student’s Grades
One of the hardest new habits for parents of middle and high schoolers to learn is how to talk to their students about grades. Last year in May 2019 Gretchen had an indepth email conversation with the parent of one ... Read More »
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10/7/2019 • 34 minutes, 1 second
284: How a Student with F’s and ADHD Got into Her Dream University
Gretchen’s former client Tatiana had a bumpy transition from her last two years of high school into college. She quickly dropped out of a college that she wasn’t very excited to attend, that that started a long but fruitful journey ... Read More »
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9/30/2019 • 30 minutes, 41 seconds
283: Is There a Perfect Planner for Students?
The perfect planner is so elusive! Gretchen shares some reflections about the criteria that EVERY planner system must meet in order to help students organize their lives… especially if they executive function issues. Specifically she and Megan discuss: Four problems ... Read More »
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9/23/2019 • 28 minutes, 17 seconds
282: How to Honestly Evaluate How Strong a College Candidate You Are
Top students think they are the top of their class — so shouldn’t their admission into top universities be a sure thing? A look at the numbers tells a different story. About 35,000 valedictorians in US– not enough seats in ... Read More »
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9/16/2019 • 29 minutes, 8 seconds
281: How to Calendar the Entire School Year in One Sitting (From the Archives)
It’s time for another super relevant podcast from the archives! For juniors and seniors, there are so many important dates to remember and plan around related to academics, extracurriculars, and the college search. Megan walks you through how to sit ... Read More »
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9/9/2019 • 26 minutes, 49 seconds
280: How to “Convince” a Resistant Teen to Try Coaching
Parents: What if you know your teen needs coaching, but they simply aren’t interested? Gretchen gives you some pointers for how to get them ready to accept the idea of getting academic support. Specifically, she shares tips for how to: ... Read More »
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9/2/2019 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
279: College Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and How to Use It Effectively
The website College Confidential is problematic if it’s the main place you get your college search info. However, there are some ways it’s useful, and Megan breaks down exactly how. Specifically, she shares: Two great things about the purpose College ... Read More »
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8/26/2019 • 18 minutes, 11 seconds
278: A Surprising (and Fun!) Way to Use LinkedIn for Your College Search
Did you know that LInkedIn is a great place to search for information about what kinds of jobs students get after graduating from which schools? Megan and Gretchen had no idea…but a parent listener Mary did. Listen in as she ... Read More »
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8/19/2019 • 37 minutes
277: Mistakes Families Make When Choosing High School Courses
Many families of high achieving students sign up for too many specialized courses in high school, and forget to prioritize the core curriculum. Megan walks us through a set of reasons why we don’t want to make this mistake. Specifically, ... Read More »
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8/12/2019 • 11 minutes, 55 seconds
276: 6 Ways Adult Learners Are Just Like Teenagers
As Gretchen teaches adults in her courses for educators, she’s started noticing a number of similarities between the grown ups and her teenage clients. In this episode she outlines 6 bad habits that all learners seem to have, regardless of ... Read More »
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8/5/2019 • 14 minutes, 34 seconds
275: Is College Board’s Adversity Index Necessary or a PR Grab?
The College Board recently announced that each student will now be assigned an adversity index in addition to their SAT scores. In this short summer podcast, Megan walks us through what the adversity index is and how she’s been thinking ... Read More »
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7/29/2019 • 11 minutes, 31 seconds
274: Try New Study Strategies, Even if They Are Not Your “Learning Style”
One of the important ingredients of studying strategically is cultivating your willingness to try new strategies, even if they require effort and are uncomfortable. Gretchen breaks down why this is, and tells some stories from her recent educator training about ... Read More »
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7/22/2019 • 10 minutes, 12 seconds
273: What Watch Should You Wear at the SAT & ACT?
Since you can’t wear a smart watch when you take the SAT & ACT, what kind of watch SHOULD you wear? Megan breaks down the importance of bringing your own time piece for your wrist, which one to buy, and ... Read More »
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7/15/2019 • 12 minutes, 32 seconds
272: The Fine Line Between Coaching and Teaching: A Controversy
There’s a common controversy that comes up in Gretchen’s educator trainings: Should academic coaches teach students skills, or must they remain neutral parties who draw out the student’s inner wisdom? This controversy comes up because life coaches are taught not ... Read More »
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7/8/2019 • 11 minutes, 48 seconds
271: 13 Things Colleges Look for In High School Students
Wish you knew exactly what colleges look for when they evaluate high school students? In this “mini-cast” episode, Megan share’s a list of skills and experiences that help high school students stand out from the crowd when applying to colleges. ... Read More »
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7/1/2019 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
270: 7 Types of Tools Students Need to Study Strategically
How full is your study toolbox? In this “mini-cast” episode, Gretchen shares the 7 different “toolkits” students need in order to study as effectively and efficiently as possible. Here’s the list, but make sure you tune in to hear details ... Read More »
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6/24/2019 • 13 minutes, 33 seconds
269: Strategies for Pacing on the ACT and SAT
Do you ever run out of time on standardized tests? Does it feel impossible to get all the questions answered? Welcome to our summer mini-casts! In this one, Megan shares several strategies for how to pace yourself on the ACT ... Read More »
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6/17/2019 • 13 minutes, 32 seconds
268: Are You Studying Accidentally or Strategically?
So many students study accidentally, or at the very least, incompletely. What’s the alternative, that delivers better learning and better grades in less time? Why, “studying strategically,” of course! Gretchen calls her course for educators The Art of Inspiring Students ... Read More »
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6/10/2019 • 10 minutes, 50 seconds
267: 12 Insights from Neuroscience to Teach & Learn Better
Ever wish you could ask a neuroscientist all your questions about teaching and learning? Today Megan and Gretchen got to interview professor and author Jared Cooney Horvath about his new excellent new book, Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 Insights from ... Read More »
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6/3/2019 • 35 minutes, 43 seconds
266: An Often Overlooked Way to Evaluate Colleges — Career Services
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 ... Read More »
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5/27/2019 • 35 minutes, 13 seconds
265: What College Did Megan’s Daughter Choose, and What Did the Family Learn?!
Drum roll please! Megan’s daughter has made her final college decision. In this episode, Megan outlines the lessons her family learned in their very personal college decision process, including: How many schools she applied to, and how they honed their ... Read More »
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5/20/2019 • 31 minutes, 53 seconds
264: Self Care Tips for the End of the School Year
Final exams are stressful — for students, teachers and parents! How can everyone take care of each other at the end of the school year? Megan and Gretchen talk through over ten tips for making sure you take care of ... Read More »
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5/13/2019 • 20 minutes, 47 seconds
263: Practical Tips for Becoming a Working Artist in College and Beyond
Are you a high school student who is also an artist — a dancer, actor, designer, video game designer, painter, musician, and more? Are you curious how to use your college education to prepare you for becoming a working artist? ... Read More »
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5/6/2019 • 42 minutes, 8 seconds
262: Everything You Need to Know to Rock Your Finals
It’s final exam season again! In this episode from the archives, Gretchen walks you through exactly how to prepare for your final exams. Tune in to the episode to hear more about each of these tips: Map out your entire ... Read More »
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4/29/2019 • 30 minutes, 2 seconds
261: What Families Should Know About Medical Care on Campus
Have you ever considered whether your new college student’s medical and mental health needs will be appropriately met by their school’s on campus resources? Megan outlines 10 tips for families to consider about campus medical care as they prepare to ... Read More »
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4/22/2019 • 30 minutes, 56 seconds
260: 10 Tips for Learning Even If Your Teacher is a Bad Explainer
How do you get help in a class where you’re convinced your teacher is a “bad explainer”? Gretchen walks you through 10 practical tips for things to try first before giving up on getting answers from on your teacher. The ... Read More »
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4/15/2019 • 26 minutes, 9 seconds
259: Is Getting Into the “Right College” Worth All the High School Stress?
Student stress is at an all time high! What is the cause, and what can parents, students and educators do about it? Join guest Mary Hofstedt from Challenge Success to learn about the results of an interesting research project on ... Read More »
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4/8/2019 • 43 minutes, 31 seconds
258 – Spring Cleaning?! 10 Ways to Get Organized Before Finals
The final slide to the end of the semester can feel like a drag for students and parents! Try a few of these simple “spring cleaning” tips to create some momentum, and also get organized BEFORE finals roll around: 4 ... Read More »
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4/1/2019 • 18 minutes, 22 seconds
257: Why Students Struggle on SAT / ACT Math & How to Improve Scores
Many students complain that they are not “math people” and therefore struggle on standardized math tests. Join Megan as she breaks down three reasons why students tend to struggle needlessly, and five strategies for improving their scores. Specifically, she explores: ... Read More »
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3/25/2019 • 27 minutes, 40 seconds
256: 6+ Ways to Study for Tests in Five Minute Bursts
Students often worry that studying effectively for tests will take more time than they have! In this episode, Gretchen takes a deep dive into retrieval practice, which is arguably the most important things students can do when studying. Specifically she ... Read More »
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3/18/2019 • 24 minutes, 34 seconds
255: Mindfulness Tools for Upping your SAT & ACT Performance
There’s an important yet overlooked ingredient to performing your best on standardized tests! In this episode, guest expert Logan Thompson details how to apply some simple tools from the world of mindfulness to turboboost ACT and SAT performance. In a ... Read More »
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3/11/2019 • 35 minutes, 19 seconds
254: Finding Scholarships – Specific Steps and Realistic Expectations
Finding the right scholarships takes planning! Megan breaks down how sophomores and juniors in high school can consider scholarship potential as they’re narrowing down their list. Specifically she shares: How to have realistic expectations for how much money is and ... Read More »
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3/4/2019 • 27 minutes, 34 seconds
253: How to Find Meaningful Summer Activities – From the Archives
Summer is a great time to do meaningful summer activities that benefit your college application. Tune in to this episode from the archives (February 2015 to be exact), as Megan and Gretchen discuss how to choose activities that will help ... Read More »
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2/26/2019 • 43 minutes, 3 seconds
252: Two Straightforward Steps to Taking Great Notes
Too often educators teach specific note taking strategies like Cornell Notes without teaching students WHY they work. Tune in to hear Gretchen outline a straightforward approach to helping take better notes. Specifically, she discusses: Review the Study Cycle, which summarizes ... Read More »
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2/19/2019 • 35 minutes, 38 seconds
251: An Overview of How to Prepare for the ACT & SAT Admissions Tests
There are 5 key steps to take when planning how your high school student will take their college admissions tests. In this episode, Megan gives a detailed description for how to make a 4-year plan for managing your college admissions ... Read More »
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2/11/2019 • 30 minutes, 38 seconds
250: How to Nurture Mistake-Friendly Environments at School and Home
The science shows us that mistakes are an important part of learning and growing, yet our schools and homes are often structured to punish students for making mistakes. Why is this, and what can be done to create environments that ... Read More »
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2/4/2019 • 28 minutes, 34 seconds
249: The Limitations and Realities of Taking AP Classes in High School
Many AP Coordinators at high schools list all the benefits of taking AP classes, but rarely do they list the drawbacks and limitations. Megan spells out for families a number of reasons why you might not want to take AP ... Read More »
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1/28/2019 • 29 minutes, 4 seconds
248: Why Teens Tell Fibs and How Parents and Educators Can Respond Effectively
Teens tell fibs more often than parents wish. Some of them are pre-meditated and manipulative, but often they are a primal response to fear, especially in students with learning differences like ADHD. In this episode, Gretchen walks you through her ... Read More »
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1/21/2019 • 21 minutes, 20 seconds
247: What Megan Did Right (And Wrong!) as the Parent of a Senior Applying for College
As a college consultant who guided her own daughter through the college application process, Megan realizes there are some things that she would have done differently if she could do it over again! Tune in to hear how her personal ... Read More »
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1/14/2019 • 24 minutes, 3 seconds
246: 8+ Non-Boring Ways to Study for Tests
The key to effective studying for tests is a brain-based trick called “retrieval practice.” Most students forget to do this when studying. They might review their notes or text book, but they forget practice “retrieving” it from their brain (which ... Read More »
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1/7/2019 • 15 minutes, 53 seconds
245: Do Aptitude and Interest Tests Help with College Admissions and Choosing Majors?
Many high school students feel pressured to choose a college major before they ever arrive in college — during the application process. Megan walks us through whether it makes sense for students to take aptitude and interest tests to figure ... Read More »
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12/31/2018 • 30 minutes, 44 seconds
244: Finding a Good “Safety” School
You’ve likely heard the advice to make sure you include a “safety” school in your college list. However, what exactly does that mean? Megan helps you understand the two types of “safety” schools you will want to consider, and provides ... Read More »
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12/24/2018 • 24 minutes, 34 seconds
243: The Power of Atomic Habits (and How to Skim a Nonfiction Book)
There’s a new book about habits that’s all the rage right now: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Gretchen does two things at once in this episode: teaches you how to skim a nonfiction book effectively while also introducing you to ... Read More »
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12/17/2018 • 24 minutes, 11 seconds
242: The Most Important Factor in College Admissions
Are you surprised by what the “most important factor” in getting into college is? Gretchen was surprised when Megan told her that it’s the high school transcript. This episode contains everything you need to know about your high school transcript. ... Read More »
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12/6/2018 • 37 minutes, 39 seconds
241: Six Unusual Ways to Save Money on College
The cost of college continues to skyrocket! That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t all kinds of ways to save money wherever possible. Tune in to hear Megan’s wisdom about each of these money saving tips: Work as a Teaching ... Read More »
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12/3/2018 • 26 minutes, 17 seconds
240: Two New Coaches Reflect: What Do Students Struggle With Most?
Academic coaches get an intimate view into family life and student struggles. In this episode, Gretchen interviews two recent graduates from her training program about what surprised them most, and gleaned some great tips for families about how to be ... Read More »
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11/26/2018 • 42 minutes, 8 seconds
239: 5 Ways Parents, Teachers and Students Can Work Together
Have you ever noticed that adults often have higher expectations for students than for themselves? Gretchen shares her latest thinking about the ways in which both teachers and parents have made the teens in their lives the “identified patient”, and ... Read More »
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11/19/2018 • 27 minutes, 49 seconds
238: Colleges Love Good Grammar!
Too many students have poor grammar, and it weakens their writing. This has become increasingly obvious to Megan as she works with students on writing their college admissions essays. If you are looking for skills to build or strengthen with ... Read More »
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11/12/2018 • 33 minutes, 6 seconds
237: 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Parents of Teens
Parenting teens is hard! Recently Gretchen asked all the coaches in her Facebook group for their advice to parents of their clients. Here is a summary of what they said — in a convenient and memorable top 10 list. We’ve ... Read More »
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11/5/2018 • 34 minutes, 32 seconds
236: Tips for Writing Resumes and Rocking Interviews
College interviews are not as big a deal as you think, but there are still some easy tips for how to knock them out of the park. In fact, it is nearly impossible to screw up your interview unless you ... Read More »
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10/29/2018 • 32 minutes, 8 seconds
235: Is it Even Possible to Make School Work “Fun”?
At a recent speaking gig about how to tackle procrastination, students asked Gretchen how to make school work fun! They seemed incredulous that “fun” is even a worthwhile pursuit when it comes to school. Listen in as Gretchen provides a ... Read More »
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10/22/2018 • 21 minutes
234: Military Academies and How to Get Accepted
Military academies require a lot of extra work to apply to, but it can be worth it for the high quality free education they provide if you get in. In this episode, Megan answers this listener question and details the ... Read More »
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10/15/2018 • 28 minutes, 19 seconds
233: How One University Teaches Study Skills
Indiana Wesleyan University has revamped their Learning Center and peer tutoring programs to be more “Study Cycle” friendly. Back in August Gretchen interviewed Melissa Sprock, Indiana Wesleyan University’s Learning Center Director, and opened up the interview for others to attend on ... Read More »
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10/9/2018 • 28 minutes, 59 seconds
232: Colleges are Marketing To You
If you have a high school junior or senior, you’ve probably seen the college admissions marketing machine in action. Colleges are spending about $1 million dollars each year to attract new students and there are some things you need to ... Read More »
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10/1/2018 • 28 minutes, 18 seconds
231: 3 Organizational Habits Students Need to Be College Ready
Whether you are in middle or high school, it’s not too early to put several key organizational habits into place that help you be college ready. In today’s episode, Gretchen shares a funny story about a conversation with students that ... Read More »
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9/24/2018 • 21 minutes, 43 seconds
230: The Coach Approach to Parenting and Teaching with ImpactADHD
How do parents and teachers support students in becoming more and more independent? Elaine Taylor-Klaus from ImpactADHD walks us through the four phases of transition in the adult/student relationship, and shares how taking on a Coach Approach to communicating with ... Read More »
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9/17/2018 • 37 minutes, 48 seconds
229: Answers to Your Questions About the SAT and Advanced Placement
Questions! Questions! We love questions! Below are two questions about the SAT and Advanced Placement tests that we got recently from two moms: (1) “I just heard someone talking about their 2nd child who took a gap year and delayed ... Read More »
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9/10/2018 • 22 minutes, 34 seconds
228: Five Teacher Mistakes And What Students Can Do Instead
Well-meaning teachers make mistakes when it comes to setting students up to study effectively! Listen in as Gretchen shares five mistakes teachers accidentally make, including tips for how both students and teachers about how to handle the fallout of these ... Read More »
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9/3/2018 • 27 minutes, 50 seconds
227: Debunking Misinformation about the ACT’s Science Exam
Are you buying into some faulty information about ACT science? Megan walks you through what this section of the standardized test is really about — and believe it or not! — it’s not science. Go figure. Specifically, we discuss: (1) ... Read More »
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8/27/2018 • 11 minutes, 1 second
226: A Simple Checklist for Helping Students Overcome Procrastination
How do you help a teen overcome their procrastination and take action on academic assignments they don’t want to do? In today’s episode Gretchen walks you through a checklist of four ways to help teens “get in gear” when they ... Read More »
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8/20/2018 • 12 minutes, 50 seconds
225: Save Money on Testing with Fee Waivers
For many families, the costs of taking standardized tests like the ACT, SAT and AP’s are out reach. However, it is possible to receive fee waivers, and Megan breaks down exactly how. Tune in to learn more about topics like: ... Read More »
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8/13/2018 • 13 minutes, 33 seconds
224: Anti-Boring Tool #4 – Quizzable Study Tools
The most important part of studying is retrieval practice (in other words, testing yourself)… …but how do you test yourself in new and interesting ways so that you don’t bore yourself to tears? Tune in for Part 4 of the Anti-Boring Summer ... Read More »
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8/6/2018 • 14 minutes, 16 seconds
223: How to Apply for Testing Accommodations for ACT & SAT
It’s possible to receive accommodations on the SAT & ACT for students with physical or learning differences. However (and this is a super important point for families of these kinds of students): you need to apply in advance. Both SAT ... Read More »
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7/30/2018 • 14 minutes, 7 seconds
222: Anti-Boring Tool #3 – Hone It Notes
Do you ever review your lecture notes after you take them? Most people don’t… mostly because it seems like a lot of work and they don’t know how. This simple note taking tip could change your entire ability to learn ... Read More »
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7/23/2018 • 12 minutes, 56 seconds
221: Four Tips for Knocking Off Your Summer Reading Assignment
Many schools assign summer reading, and most students wait until the last minute to do it. Tune in as Megan and Gretchen provide four tips for getting a head start on your summer reading, and getting it done well before ... Read More »
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7/16/2018 • 12 minutes, 51 seconds
220: Anti-Boring Study Tool #2 – The Study Senses
Is studying tedious and boring? Use the Study Senses as a simple checklist for how to engage your brain while learning, so that you learn more in less time. Tune in for Part 2 of the Anti-Boring Summer Series, where ... Read More »
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7/9/2018 • 12 minutes, 44 seconds
219: Before You Write Your Admissions Essays, Listen to This
Essays are an important component of college applications, but most people– students, parent, and even educators– have little idea what a winning essay looks like or how to write one. Listen as we help you get started and share advice ... Read More »
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7/2/2018 • 13 minutes, 39 seconds
218: Anti-Boring Tool #1 – The Study Cycle
If there’s one study tip Gretchen could infuse into the minds of every student and educator on the planet, it’s The Study Cycle. Tune in for Part 1 of the Anti-Boring Summer Series, where she walks you through a simple ... Read More »
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6/25/2018 • 15 minutes, 42 seconds
217: Is Your Student Affected by the Rise of Vaping at School?
As a parent, teacher, mentor there are so many things we need to keep up with as we guide students. One new development at schools in the last year is the rise of vaping amongst teens. Is your student affected ... Read More »
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6/18/2018 • 11 minutes, 20 seconds
216: Why Learning is Hard and How to Make It Easier
Too many students judge themselves as “stupid” because learning new things feels hard. Understanding this one brain fact goes a long way to helping students feel better about themselves as learners. Tune in as Gretchen explains: What a neuron is ... Read More »
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6/11/2018 • 15 minutes, 18 seconds
215: How to Choose the Right Calculator for High School
Having the right calculator can effect your math scores on the ACT and SAT, yet too many students have the wrong calculator with them. Megan walks you through how to get the right calculator ahead of time. Tune in to ... Read More »
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6/4/2018 • 13 minutes, 33 seconds
214: Should You Improve Academic Skills Over the Summer?
It’s important to rest and rejuvenate over the summer, but it’s also a great time to reflect about gifts and challenges of the past year, learn from past mistakes, and make a success plan for the new year. Tune in ... Read More »
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5/28/2018 • 25 minutes, 25 seconds
213: How AP, IB and Dual Credit Can (And Can’t) Help You in College
Many families assume that AP, IB and Dual Credit Courses will help them get ahead and save money in college. However, this is not always the case. Listen in as Megan outlines how these higher level higher school classes in ... Read More »
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5/21/2018 • 29 minutes
212: Is Your Student Vulnerable to the Cheating Epidemic?
Cheating is on the rise in high schools around the country! Megan has been observing this in the reports coming from her clients’ and her daughters’ school. Tune in as Megan and Gretchen explore this topic in more detail, including: ... Read More »
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5/14/2018 • 24 minutes, 5 seconds
211: Six Ways to Use Friends to Get Stuff Done
Did you know your friends can be a HUGE resource to help you get your homework done? Too many students try to go it alone, but school is hard enough as it is! One of your most useful resources as ... Read More »
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5/7/2018 • 25 minutes, 46 seconds
210: Take Your College Visits to the Next Level
College visits can get repetitive and boring, and the “official” tours offered by the school don’t always reveal the hidden details that help you make a decision about which school is best for you. Let Megan school you on how ... Read More »
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4/30/2018 • 31 minutes, 41 seconds
209: How to Study When Given Essay Questions in Advance
Do your teachers ever give you the essay questions far in advance of the chapter test or final? Many students don’t take advantage of this key resource. Gretchen walks you through a few ways to use these advance questions to ... Read More »
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4/23/2018 • 23 minutes, 29 seconds
208: How to Make Your Final College Decision
April 1 was the date by which all colleges should have notified students of acceptance; students have this month to make the final choices and notify schools of their decisions. Tune in as Megan walks you through 10 factors to ... Read More »
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4/16/2018 • 30 minutes, 24 seconds
207: Give Your Time Management a Mid-Semester Makeover
By mid-semester students’ time management routines have often weakened or collapsed. Consider these four questions when giving your routines a makeover so that you can make it to the end of the semester with your grades and self esteem intact: ... Read More »
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4/9/2018 • 19 minutes, 55 seconds
206: Strategies to Improve Reading Comprehension on SAT, ACT or AP Tests
Believe it or not — raising your reading comprehension scores on standardized tests is often not about improving your reading skills! Tune in as Megan outlines surprising skills to improve if you want improved performance on this section of your tests. ... Read More »
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4/2/2018 • 29 minutes, 55 seconds
205: One Student’s Takeaways From a Semester of Coaching
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 ... Read More »
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3/26/2018 • 18 minutes, 17 seconds
204: AP or Not to AP: Controversy & Considerations
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 ... Read More »
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3/19/2018 • 38 minutes, 36 seconds
203: Don’t Overlook These Seven Surprising Study Techniques
Sometimes small study tweaks can make a difference. In this episode, Gretchen outlines seven small study techniques that can are easy to integrate into your homework time, and can help you be better prepped for tests. We’re listing them here, ... Read More »
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3/12/2018 • 25 minutes, 58 seconds
202: Course Selection: How to Develop a Four Year Plan
“Make time visible” is a favorite refrain of Gretchen’s, and it’s equally as true for college planning as it is for daily time management and organization. In this episode, Megan walks students step by step through how to make the ... Read More »
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3/5/2018 • 22 minutes, 44 seconds
201: How to Let Kids Fail “Small” Earlier On
Students need to become familiar with failure earlier than their parents often let them. Megan and Gretchen discuss why it is important to let student fail small in the younger grades, and provide tips for how parents might back off ... Read More »
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2/26/2018 • 27 minutes, 36 seconds
200: How Lapses in Judgement Impact Graduation and Admissions
Teenagers often have lapses in judgement.But when these lapses go too far, how might it impact high school graduation or college admissions? Megan lays out 5 kinds of trouble that teens can get in and analyzes how that behavior might ... Read More »
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2/19/2018 • 35 minutes, 3 seconds
199: How to Make a Family Nag Plan
Sometimes nagging is necessary! So how can parents do it in a way that will make teens receptive to their reminders and prodding? In this episode, Gretchen tells stories about how 3 different clients made agreements with their parents about ... Read More »
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2/12/2018 • 27 minutes
198: Rock Your College Visits With These Advanced Strategies
College visits are a time consuming part of the college search process, so how do you make sure you are getting helpful information when you are on campus? How do you look past the college’s marketing messages to see what ... Read More »
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2/5/2018 • 24 minutes, 56 seconds
197: Three New Academic Coaches Talk Candidly About Starting Their Biz
Thinking about starting your own academic coaching biz? Maybe you’ve already started, but you’re frustrated with how slow moving it is? Maybe you’re a parent curious about hiring an academic coach? Listen in as these 3 newly minted academic coaches ... Read More »
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1/29/2018 • 46 minutes, 40 seconds
196: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life
How do we motivate teens to take little actions that offer big results? Megan reports in about a book she read recently that has lots of great advice for teens: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and ... Read More »
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1/22/2018 • 21 minutes, 15 seconds
195: Watch Out for Fake Practice Tests for the SAT & ACT
Did you know that many of the practice SAT & ACT tests offered by companies to help you study — are fake?! Don’t fall for fake tests! Megan walks you through how to make sure the practice tests you are ... Read More »
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1/15/2018 • 25 minutes, 1 second
194: Research Reveals the Three Best Ways to Teach, Learn, and Study
What does research teach us about the best ways for teachers to teach and students to study? Guest experts Yana Weinstein and Megan Sumeracki, otherwise known as The Learning Scientists, school us on what research shows is is the best ... Read More »
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1/9/2018 • 45 minutes, 24 seconds
193: What’s REALLY Important in College Admissions? Myths and Realities.
Many families are confused about where to start with college admissions, and Megan has noticed there is a lot of faulty information out there. In this episode, she lays out, in concrete terms, what’s important when prepping for college and ... Read More »
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1/1/2018 • 32 minutes, 30 seconds
192: Seven Types of Students and Their Study Blind Spots
There are seven different types of students, in Gretchen’s experience, each with different approaches to school and studying. As final exams approach, it’s a great opportunity to explore each type of student’s weaknesses in regards to studying, and what students, ... Read More »
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12/25/2017 • 33 minutes, 7 seconds
191: Strategic Extracurriculars – Make Your Activities Work for You in College Admission
Do you worry whether your high school student has the right kind of activities to impress the colleges to which they’re applying? Megan lays out an easy way to think about extracurriculars to help teens make the most of their ... Read More »
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12/18/2017 • 20 minutes, 28 seconds
190: 12 Skills We assume Students Know (But They Don’t)
There are some basic life and school skills that adults assume teens know how to do — but they really don’t! Gretchen and Megan break down 12 seemingly simply skills they’ve observed in their practices and urge their adult listeners ... Read More »
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12/11/2017 • 34 minutes, 32 seconds
189: How to Make an Anti-Cram Plan for Final Exams
You’ve heard it’s bad for your brain to cram for finals, but what should you do instead to get ready for semester exams? Make an Anti-Cram! plan, of course! During this episode of the podcast (which is a reprise of ... Read More »
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12/4/2017 • 41 minutes, 29 seconds
188: Important Distinctions Between Scholarships and Financial Aid
Families often mistake financial aid with scholarships, which can lead to confusion, disappointment, and wasted time as seniors choose their college and figure out how to pay for it. In this episode Megan breaks down how to think about the ... Read More »
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11/28/2017 • 31 minutes, 42 seconds
187: How to Stay on Track with a Mid-Semester Tune Up
It’s time for a mid-semester tune up! Take a couple hours this Thanksgiving Break to organize yourself, clean up any broken systems, and assess your study skills. Gretchen will teach you how, including: How to tune up your organization systems, ... Read More »
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11/20/2017 • 20 minutes, 58 seconds
186: Should Your Teen Take Online Courses?
Have you ever taken, or considered taking, online courses as a high school students? Megan describes her daughter’s experience taking on online course through the Duke Talent Identification Program and delivers her final assessment about whether these programs fulfilled expectations. ... Read More »
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