College Tips for Students and Parents

Learnings, teachings, and tips & tricks for anyone to reference when planning for or navigating through college.

Team College Success Plan Team College Success Plan

Signs Your Student May Be Struggling

If your student seems overwhelmed or keeps falling into the same patterns, professional coaching support can help. College Success Plan coaches work one-on-one with students to build personalized systems for managing time, studying effectively, and staying accountable. Our coaches know college and have up-to-date, hands-on experience with everything students need to manage in today’s world. If you’re seeing clear signs your student is struggling, targeted support can accelerate the turnaround.

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Team College Success Plan Team College Success Plan

Helping Your Student Tackle Their First Exams with Confidence

The semester is in full swing, and for many college students, the first round of quizzes and exams is right around the corner. For some, it’s an opportunity to confirm they’re on track. For others, it’s the first true test of how well they’re adjusting to college academics. It’s common for parents to get that anxious phone call: “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

Sharing a few proven strategies with your student can make a big difference. With the right preparation and mindset, they can approach exams with confidence rather than stress.


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Team College Success Plan Team College Success Plan

10 Hidden Reasons Why Smart Students Struggle in College (And What Parents Can Do to Help)

Even the most capable students can find college harder than expected. The shift from a structured high school environment to the independence of college life often exposes skills that haven’t been fully developed. These challenges have little to do with intelligence and more to do with experience. Below are ten reasons why smart students struggle in college and how parents can provide meaningful support.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Attention Parents of High School Seniors : 🎓 3 Steps To Prepare for College Success

As high school seniors approach graduation, the anticipation of college life grows stronger. While the excitement of new experiences and opportunities is thrilling, the transition from high school to college can also be challenging. It’s important for students to not only be prepared academically but also socially, as college requires a combination of independence, time management, and self-discipline—skills that many students still need to develop. Practicing these skills now will make the transition to college much more successful.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Beat Procrastination: 10 Proven Strategies for College Success

Procrastination is one of the biggest challenges college students face. With assignments piling up, exams looming, and social events competing for your attention, it’s easy to put things off. But procrastination doesn’t just add stress; it can negatively impact your academic performance, mental health and overall well-being. Here are some practical tips to help you take control and get things done on time.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

How to Prioritize When Everything Feels Important.

Starting a new semester can feel overwhelming. Between classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and social obligations, it might seem like everything demands your immediate attention. If you struggle with executive function challenges, prioritizing can feel even more daunting. The good news? With the right strategies, you can take control of your to-do list and focus on what truly matters.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

The Essential Senior Year Timeline for Rising College Freshmen

Senior year of high school is an exciting yet often overwhelming time, especially for students planning to attend college. The list of tasks and decisions can feel longer than ever. That’s why Premium Prep College Counseling and College Success Plan have partnered to create a helpful checklist for rising college freshmen—guiding you through your senior year all the way to the month you arrive on campus. Use this timeline to stay organized and tackle your to-do list step by step.

And remember, if you need support with your college application process or help transitioning to college life, Premium Prep and College Success Plan are here for you!

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Academic Probation? We can help!

College can be challenging, and sometimes the fear of academic probation looms large after a tough semester. The good news? Probation isn’t the end of the road—it’s a wake-up call and an opportunity to reset. Our practical steps below help you navigate the process if you are facing probation, and take control to get back on a successful track. 

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Put Technology to Work for You!

As your student begins their college journey, one of the biggest challenges they may face is managing their time effectively. Fortunately, there are several apps designed to help students stay organized, focused, and on top of their studies. As with most things in life, each app has its own strengths and weaknesses, so we’ve highlighted their pros and cons so you can better understand which is the best fit for your college student.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

How to Form a Study Group

Study groups are a powerful tool for academic success in college. By collaborating with peers, you can deepen your understanding of course material, stay accountable, reduce stress, and develop essential life skills. By following these tips, you can form a study group that will help you navigate the challenges of college and achieve your academic goals.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Setting Up College Accommodations: A Guide for Freshmen

Setting up accommodations and utilizing them in the best way possible are critical steps for college students who learn and think differently. At College Success Plan, our coaches are experts in helping students take advantage of all of the resources available at their particular institution.

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Gail Pester Gail Pester

Do you and your phone need a break?

Digital devices have become integral and necessary parts of college students' lives. The classroom portal - a college student’s essential roadmap - is accessed online.

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The Confidant Collective The Confidant Collective

Why You Need to Read The Morning Miracle

The structure of how The Miracle Morning is set up is realistic and convenient. Sometimes it takes 8 minutes and sometimes an hour. I adapt with how much time I have allotted that day.

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The Confidant Collective The Confidant Collective

Career Fairs Are Coming!

Attending a Career Fair is a great way to build your professional network, introduce yourself to potential employers, and learn more about potential employers and their opportunities for hire.

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