In this episode, Lisa and Joanna discuss:

• Exploring alternatives to the traditional college timeline
• The evolving role of parents in post-secondary decision-making
• Emotional and psychological challenges facing college-bound teens
• The importance of preparation and intentional planning for life after high school

Key Takeaways: 

• College readiness is less about academic performance and more about whether a student can live independently, manage their time without reminders, handle stress in healthy ways, and recover from inevitable challenges like failure or rejection.
• Choosing to delay college in favor of a well-planned year of work, volunteering, or self-directed learning through platforms like Coursera can give students the clarity, maturity, and practical skills they often need but didn’t gain during high school.
• When a student shows signs of burnout, struggles with mental health, or has never had to navigate real consequences on their own, it’s usually a sign that stepping back from school to focus on personal growth is the healthier long-term decision.
• Families who agree in advance on how they’ll stay in touch, what success looks like during the first semester, and how financial support will be tied to progress tend to create stronger trust and smoother transitions into adulthood.

 

“College is an experience out of the home for the first time... If your child has never had the opportunity to experience any adversity... that's going to be tremendously harder for them when they land on a college campus.” – Joanna Lilley

About Joanna Lilley: Since 2016, Joanna Lilley of Lilley Consulting has been helping young adults (18+) find mental health, substance use, and wellness resources. Joanna dedicates herself to working solely with emerging adults who unravel in college or aren’t thriving in adulthood. She also hosts the Success is Subjective podcast.

Episode References:

• #020 Teaching Your Teen “How to College”: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/20-teaching-your-teen-how-to-college/

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Joanna:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilleyConsultingLLC/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-lilley-ma-ncc-12546566/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LilleyConsulting/featured

Website: https://lilleyconsulting.com/

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co