Best-selling author Paul Tough digs deeply into big ideas, and that certainly is true in his latest book, The Years that Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us. Paul spent six years exploring colleges in 21 states, including sitting through freshman calculus at the University of Texas and a philosophy class at Princeton. He interviewed faculty, SAT tutors and students from all walks of life, concluding that higher education as an engine of social mobility is breaking down.

 

Paul brings these issues to life through the chronicles of first-generation students trying to overcome barriers to admission to prestigious schools, community college students hoping to attain jobs that will pay the bills, and well-to-do students seeing their teen years defined by the anxiety that comes with intense parental pressure, high-stakes tests and frenetic schedules of résumé-building activities. He joins Marti & Erin to discuss highlights of what he learned and to offer action steps for college admissions, alumni, and public officials who make decisions on higher education funding.

 

WHY DO THE COLLEGE YEARS MATTER SO MUCH?

What was your own path with regard to higher education and how did that work for you? How is that likely to be the same or different for your children? What ideas do you have for making good higher education attainable for the millions of young people who need it?

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLEGE YEARS?

❉ COLLEGE HEALTH TIPS: HOW TO MANAGE FOOD, BOOZE, STRESS, AND MORE. Jill and Dave Henry join Erin and her daughter, Clara, for an honest and to-the point discussion on college health. Listen to some true (and perhaps surprising) stories about college students’ experiences with the transition to college. Get tips on avoiding college weight gain, preventing the pitfalls of alcohol use, reducing stress, and getting adequate sleep. Walk away with wisdom from the Henrys’ accessible book, The Greatest College Health Guide You Never Knew You Needed. 

 

❉ RAISING KIDS TO BE COMPETENT ADULTS. Check out this tip sheet for more information on raising your children to be competent adults.

 

❉ HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT: A CONVERSATION WITH NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JULIE LYTHCOTT-HAIMS. While our job as parents is to love, care for, and teach our children, the purpose of our role is to raise a contributing member of society as our children reach adulthood. Lythcott-Haims shares wisdom and insights from her book, How to Raise an Adult, in this compelling episode of Mom Enough.

 

❉ YOUR TURN: WISDOM ON ADULTING FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JULIE LYTHCOTT-HAIMS. Do you have a young adult child who is struggling with adulting? Are they finding it difficult to take on the many important tasks and responsibilities of adulthood?  Check out this Mom Enough episode with New York Times bestselling author, Julie Lythcott-Haims, who shares insights from her ultimate guide for adulting, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult.