Helping Your College Student Finish the Semester Strong

In this episode, Dr. T, a seasoned educator and parent, provides a detailed, step-by-step plan for parents to help their college students overcome mid-semester struggles. Dr. T explains why many students hit a wall around mid-November, citing research from the field. The episode outlines effective strategies parents can use, from starting supportive conversations, leveraging Learning Management Systems (LMS), and resetting study systems, to utilizing campus resources like academic advisors, tutoring centers, and wellness services. Dr. T emphasizes a structured approach involving weekly targets, daily micro-goals, and accountability measures, all while maintaining a balance of support without micromanaging. The episode concludes with encouragement and practical advice, reassuring parents that struggles are a part of the learning process.

00:00 Introduction: Turning the Semester Around

00:50 Understanding Student Struggles

01:59 Effective Parental Support Strategies

03:40 Step-by-Step Recovery Plan

04:55 Utilizing Campus Resources

06:03 Finishing the Semester Strong

07:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

References:

ACHA. (2024). National College Health Assessment - ACHA. Https://Www.acha.org/. https://www.acha.org/ncha/

Allsopp, G. L., Wooding, S. E., West, J. M., & Turner, A. I. (2024). Optimising Assessment Workload And Student Experience; A Quantitative And Qualitative Analysis Of An Undergraduate Subject Restructure. AJP Advances in Physiology Education, 49(1). https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00095.2024

Anshu, A. H., & Yesuf, M. Y. (2022). Effects of Collaborative Writing on EFL Students’ Paragraph Writing Performance: Focus on Content and Coherence. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 10(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.10n.1p.36

Credé, M., Roch, S. G., & Kieszczynka, U. M. (2010). Class Attendance in College: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Relationship of Class Attendance With Grades and Student Characteristics. Review of Educational Research, 80(2), 272–295. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654310362998

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “What” and “Why” of Goal Pursuits: Human needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Education – selfdeterminationtheory.org. (n.d.). https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/topics/application-education/

Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta‐analysis of Effects and Processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38(1), 69–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002-1

LMS Use and Satisfaction. (2018). EDUCAUSE. https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-undergraduate-students-and-information-technology/2018/lms-use-and-satisfaction

Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Slava Kalyuga. (2011). Amassing Information: The Information Store Principle. Springer EBooks, 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8126-4_2

Yeager, D. (2024). 10 to 25. Simon and Schuster.