The College Prep Podcast

Taking notes isn’t just about writing things down—it’s about learning effectively. Yet, many students fall into ineffective note-taking habits that make studying harder instead of easier. In this episode, we break down a crucial study skill: how to take better ... Read More » The post 566: 3 Common Note-Taking Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Today we’re diving into a lister question! A parent asks: How can students decide if AP, IB, or dual credit classes are worth taking? With so many options, it can be confusing to know which courses will actually count for ... Read More » The post 565: Earning College Credit in High School: Are AP, IB & Dual Credit Classes Worth It?! appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Should legacy admissions still exist in 2025? For decades, many colleges have given special consideration to applicants with alumni parents, but now, this practice is under fire. With more schools eliminating legacy preferences, critics argue that it unfairly benefits privileged ... Read More » The post 564: Who Deserves a Spot? The Future of Legacy Admissions appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Did you know your professors are one of the most underutilized resources on campus? In this episode, we explore why building a relationship with your professors is a game-changer for your college success. You’ll learn: Your professors want to see ... Read More » The post 563: Professors: the Underutilized Key to College Success appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Summer break is just around the corner! Don’t let it slip away. This episode is packed with valuable advice for high school and college students (and their parents/educators) on how to make the most of their summer break. We explore ... Read More » The post 562: Level Up Your Summer: 6 Ways Students Can Prep for College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

A new semester means new beginnings, but you don’t need to revamp your entire process to reach your goals this semester. In fact, just a few small changes to daily habits can make a HUGE difference in how students learn ... Read More » The post 561: Small Habits, Big Results: Unlock Your Academic Potential This Semester appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Get ready to tackle the SAT or ACT in 2025! In this episode, we break down the latest changes to these college entrance exams and provide expert guidance on how to prepare for success. Learn about: Whether you’re a student, ... Read More » The post 560: SAT/ACT Tips and Updates for 2025: What You NEED to Know appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

If you’re ready to tackle the new year and achieve your academic goals in 2025, your syllabus holds the key! In this episode, we break down how to use your syllabus as a powerful planning tool for a successful semester. ... Read More » The post 559: Your Semester Success Plan: It’s On the Syllabus appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the impact of cell phones on student mental health and learning. Inspired by “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, we explore: —The rise of anxiety among today’s youth —The potential link between cell ... Read More » The post 558: Unpacking the Impact of Cell Phones on Students: “The Anxious Generation” Recap appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Regardless of how fall semester went, the winter break is a great time to prepare students to succeed in spring and finish the school year strong. In this episode we explore the power of mid-year reflection. We’ll share a simple ... Read More » The post 557: Mid-Year Reset: Reflect on Fall Semester to Thrive in Spring appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Feeling lost in the maze of college financial aid? This episode breaks down the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) clearly and concisely. Join us as we discuss: —What is the FAFSA and who needs to fill it out? ... Read More » The post 556: Financial Aid 101: Expert tips for navigating the FAFSA and paying for college appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Finals week can be a pressure cooker for most students. But conquering exam season doesn’t have to involve all-nighters and endless anxiety! In this episode, we break down three actionable tips to help students stay calm, focused, and productive during ... Read More » The post 555: The Stress-Less Guide to Finals: Three Simple Tips to Stay Calm and Focused appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

The transition from the rigid structure of high school to the freedom of college can shock the system. Many students struggle to manage their time effectively when suddenly faced with unscheduled days and the responsibility of deciding how to spend ... Read More » The post 554: Beyond the Bell Schedule: Equipping Students to Survive the Time Freedom of College appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

How do we guide the student who almost has too many interests and too many passions? They are likely feeling overwhelmed by the endless possibilities of majors, campuses, and careers, especially in the run-up to admissions letters. In this episode, ... Read More » The post 553: How to Guide Multi-passionate Students to Choose the Right Campus or Major appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Overwhelmed by what to do after receiving college acceptance letters? In this episode, we tackle a listener question about the pressure to commit to a university, especially when facing a mountain of options and looming deadlines. We’ll uncover why schools ... Read More » The post 552: Beyond Accepted: Navigating the College Decision Maze appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Imagine applying the strategies of FBI hostage negotiators to your interactions with students. In this episode, we delve into Chris Voss’s book “Never Split the Difference” and explore how its principles can transform communication with young people. Discover why giving ... Read More » The post 551: Never Ask Why: FBI Secrets for Negotiating with Students appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Choosing the right college is much more complex than affordability, location, and fit. Join us as we introduce our new co-host and explore how our unique upbringings influenced our college decisions. We’ll share our contrasting perspectives – one of us ... Read More » The post 550: Unpacking the Hidden Influences on College Choices appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode, Megan is joined by Phil Black of the ServeWell Academy who helps students and families interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships. Find out how this former Navy SEAL Officer with four sons — two at Yale ... Read More » The post 549: Phil Black: How our family saved $1M in college expenses appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

In this episode Edward Coronado III joins Megan to discuss his Three Pillars Framework of the key areas that impact college success: learning & study strategies, productivity & executive function, and mindset & motivation. We’ll dive deep into each pillar, ... Read More » The post 548: Three Pillars of Academic Success appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Building friendships and community is so important, but can also be a challenge. Alexis Moore Eytinge from The Confidence Society shares strategies including: We also talk about bad relationships and what peers, mentors, and family members can do if they ... Read More » The post 547: Healthy Relationships with Alexis from The Confidence Society appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.