College Parent Central Podcast

Vicki Nelson, Lynn Abrahams, Elizabeth Hamblet

You don’t stop parenting the day you drop your student off to college on Move-in Day. Your role simply changes. (Actually, it’s not simple at all, but it changes.) You’re a parent for life. Join Lynn Abrahams and Vicki Nelson, higher education professionals and former college parents, as they explore the topics that can help you be a more effective and supportive parent to your college bound student. Whether you already have a child in college, college is still a year or more away, or your student is about to step out, start now to gather the information that empowers you to be an effective college success coach to your student.

  1. 1d ago

    #157 - What If The Most Practical Major Is a Life of Meaning

    “What are you going to do with that?” is the question that haunts so many humanities curious students and the parents who love them. We sit down with Curry College faculty Lindsay Illick and Robert Smid to unpack why humanities majors have declined, what families are really anxious about, and why a new approach called applied humanities is gaining momentum. We dig into what the humanities actually are: the study of how humans create meaning, value, and purpose. Then we make it concrete. We talk about narrative as a real workplace skill, from understanding stakes and audience to spotting the power dynamics behind whose stories get heard. We connect that to ethics, where the hard part isn’t memorizing “right answers” but learning how to defend decisions that affect communities, culture, and the common good. You’ll also hear practical examples from the classroom, like using curation and archiving to reveal what institutions value and who gets access. Along the way, we tackle the “career anxiety” behind choosing a major, the reality of changing careers over a lifetime, and why critical thinking and ethical reasoning may be even more valuable in an AI shaped future. If you’re in the college admissions process, you’ll leave with smarter questions to ask on tours and a clearer way to talk about humanities skills in resumes and interviews. Subscribe, share this with a parent or student who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the conversation. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    53 min

  2. May 20

    #156 - Encore: Let's Talk About Senior Summer

    The summer between high school and college isn't just busy—it's a profound transition that transforms both students and parents. This emotional crossroads, where students are "no longer" in high school but "not yet" in college, demands navigation through unfamiliar territory. We did a bit of a turn for this episode as Lynn interviewed Vicki about her new E-book, The Summer Before College: A Parent's Survival Guide from Deposit to Move-In. The book is a comprehensive guide that walks parents step-by-step through the entire senior summer timeline. From the Deposit to the tearful (or celebratory!) drive home after Move-in Day, the book offers a roadmap for parents feeling overwhelmed by this transitional period. In this episode we talk about the crucial shift parents must make from caretakers to coaches, how to guide without controlling, support without hovering, and listen without immediately jumping to advice-giving. The conversation explores specific strategies for developing these skills, including thoughtful questions to ask your student and communication techniques that foster independence while maintaining connection. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    40 min

  3. May 6

    #155 - The Importance of Transparency for College Preparation

    Based on an article that Elizabeth wrote recently, Vicki and Elizabeth sat down to talk about the importance of transparency in conversations with your student. Elizabeth brings her LD expertise and discusses how to help your student understand their disabilities and why this understanding can help them advocate for themselves and have more confidence. As she often does, Vicki sees this advice as important for all students (with and without disabilities) so we discuss the importance of the language parents use, the amount and type of support they provide, and how to encourage students to advocate for themselves. You know your student’s needs best, but we encouraged parents to have direct and meaningful conversations with their student. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    46 min

  4. Apr 15

    #154 - Exploring College Fit - and Acceptance: A Conversation with Dr. Eric Endlich

    In this episode, Vicki and Lynn sit down with Dr. Eric Endlich—clinical psychologist, author, and founder of Top College Consultants—to map a smarter path to college for neurodivergent and disabled students – and really, for everyone else, too. From decoding what colleges are legally required to provide to spotting truly comprehensive support programs, we break down how to verify services, assess campus culture, and avoid costly surprises. Dr. Endlich shares practical strategies to evaluate learning support, autism programs, executive function coaching, and peer mentoring, and why the “feel” of a campus—belonging, friendship, acceptance—matters as much as majors and location.  Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    51 min

  5. Apr 1

    #153 - Students to Students: How Peer Support Can Help Students Thrive

    Colleges and universities work to provide students with the support they need to thrive – both in the classroom and out. From professors, advisors, tutors, and librarians to counselors, resident directors and student activity personnel, most colleges are staffed by professionals and experts in all areas. But there’s another source of support for students that may be too often overlooked – that provided by their peers. In this episode, Sarah and Vicki talk about the many ways that peer support can help students – sometimes even more than professional support. We examine the types of support available, why it can make a difference, and also why some students might want to become peer tutors, advisors, teaching assistants, or residence assistants. If you’re a parent, you’ll leave with concrete ways to encourage smart help-seeking and ideas for campus roles your student can pursue. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    50 min

  6. Mar 17

    #152 - Spring Semester - What's on your Student's Mind?

    After all of the transitions during fall semester (even for upper class students) students, and their parents, often assume it will be easy to navigate spring semester. Even if there are a few more transitions settling in at the beginning of second semester, the rest should be smooth sailing. In this podcast, Vicki and Lynn explore some of the things that are on students’ minds during this semester. It’s packed with choices that will shape the next year – housing, course registration, spring break, and summer decisions lead the list. Understanding what’s on your student’s mind and remaining a calm presence means you can ask curious questions, point to campus resources, and resist catching the overwhelm they may be feeling. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    32 min

  7. Mar 4

    #151 - Transition Takes Planning: A Conversation with Transition Specialist Kelly Challen

    In this episode, Vicki and Elizabeth sit down with transition specialist Kelly Challen to unpack what truly prepares teens for college and adult life: agency, executive function, and repeat practice with real responsibility. Kelly shares how to choose low-stakes experiments—having students email teachers, schedule their own tutoring, manage appointments, or learn to rebound from failures. We also talk about life skills we’ve all observed that quietly derail success—students’ ability to handle their own alarms, laundry, room hygiene, and basic routines. Whatever transition your student may be facing, this conversation will help you talk together about how to prepare. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    50 min

  8. Feb 18

    #150 - College Lingo: Can You Talk the Talk? Part 5

    So many mysterious terms and acronyms to understand when your student heads off to college! You’ll understand how college works better when you understand the strange terms they use. In our fifth installment of our College Lingo series, Vicki and Lynn define and discuss more of the insider terms that colleges use that may not always be clear to parents. In this episode we cover Accessibility Offices, Add/Drop, Sophomore Slump, Credit Hour, Resident Assistants, Post-Grad Year, Placement Exams, and Liberal Arts. If you missed Parts 1-4, with 24 additional terms, check out episodes #047, #057, #098 and #121. If you’ve ever wished for a pocket translator for campus speak, this conversation is your map. Hit play, share it with another parent who could use the clarity, and then tell us what term still trips you up. Subscribe, leave a review, and send us the next term you want decoded. Thank you for listening! Much more information for college parents can be found on our website, College Parent CentralFind us on Twitter at @CollParCentralFind us on Bluesky at @CollParCentral.bsky.socialSign up for our newsletter for ongoing information

    43 min
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4.7
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

You don’t stop parenting the day you drop your student off to college on Move-in Day. Your role simply changes. (Actually, it’s not simple at all, but it changes.) You’re a parent for life. Join Lynn Abrahams and Vicki Nelson, higher education professionals and former college parents, as they explore the topics that can help you be a more effective and supportive parent to your college bound student. Whether you already have a child in college, college is still a year or more away, or your student is about to step out, start now to gather the information that empowers you to be an effective college success coach to your student.

Information

  • Creator
    Vicki Nelson, Lynn Abrahams, Elizabeth Hamblet
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 College Parent Central Podcast
  • Show Website
    College Parent Central Podcast

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