How to Help Your College Student Gain Independence and Executive Function Skills

What this episode covers

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Shannon Weisblatt, a College Executive Function Coach with over 20 years of experience in education and special education. Shannon specializes in helping students master the "hidden curriculum" of college—time management, organization, and self-advocacy. This episode is essential for moms of high school juniors and seniors who want to prepare their kids for independence, as well as parents of current college students who are struggling to keep their heads above water academically. Key Conversations in This Episode: * The Shift from Manager to Consultant: Why parents should begin "putting on the brakes" during junior year of high school to allow teens to practice autonomy before they leave home. * Overcoming the Procrastination Loop: Practical strategies for students who are "stuck," including brainstorming sessions to reduce overwhelm and the power of starting an assignment for just five minutes. * The Role of Natural Consequences: How to reframe a failed assignment or a poor grade as a "beautiful learning opportunity" rather than a catastrophe. * Outsourcing the Prefrontal Cortex: Understanding the balance between supporting a student's developing brain and accidentally "hovering" too much. Common Questions About Moms Of Young Adults and Executive Functioning Question: When should parents start transitioning their role from "manager" to "consultant"? Answer: Parents should ideally begin this transition during their child's junior year of high school to help them build independence before leaving for college. Question: What are the best ways to help a college student who struggles with procrastination? Answer: Effective strategies include breaking assignments into small steps (like a five-minute start rule), brainstorming paper ideas together to reduce overwhelm, and creating a visible plan for the week. Question: How can parents help their teens learn from failure without being negative? Answer: Instead of making critical statements, parents can ask open-ended questions such as "How does this make you feel?" or "What could you do differently next time?" to allow the teen to find their own solutions. Meet Our Expert: Shannon Weisblatt is a College Executive Function Coach and mom of two teenage boys. For the past eight years, she has worked one-on-one with college students to build the systems—like time management and planning—that allow them to move from academic probation to the dean's list. Guest Links: efcollegecoach.com [https://efcollegecoach.com/] Find Shannon On Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Weisblatt-Executive-Function-Coach/61561513542151/] Find Shannon On LinkedIn [https://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Weisblatt-Executive-Function-Coach/61561513542151/] Resources From Laura Ollinger * Book A Coaching Call: Let's Work It Out! [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/booking] * Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching] * Rate this podcast! [https://ratethispodcast.com/tphmom]