Helping High School Grads Who Are Struggling in College

In this episode of “The Impactful Parent,” host Christina Campos sits down with therapeutic consultant Joanna Lily to discuss the challenges young adults face when transitioning to college and independent living. This insightful conversation provides parents with the essential tools and advice they need to help their children navigate this crucial phase of life. Joanna highlights the “unraveling” that can occur when young adults lack basic independent living skills, from managing conflicts with roommates to handling the academic rigor of college [01:30]. The discussion delves into the importance of teaching life skills and fostering a sense of responsibility in teenagers and young adults. The episode addresses common parental struggles, such as pushback from children and the temptation to say “I told you so.” Joanna offers a better approach: asking open-ended questions like, “That sounds uncomfortable, what are you going to do?” to empower your child to find their own solutions [06:15]. Furthermore, the video emphasizes the importance of teaching and modeling healthy coping skills to manage the normal stresses of life. Parents are encouraged to invite their children to join them in activities like walks, yoga, or swimming to build a foundation of emotional resilience [14:03]. The conversation also covers practical resources for parents, including Joanna’s website which provides a college preparedness checklist, and what parents can do to help with the transition. The experts also discuss common reasons for student struggles, such as treating college like a social event rather than a full-time job, and critical warning signs parents should look out for, including a lack of communication or neglect of personal hygiene [19:54]. Joanna explains her role as a therapeutic consultant, which is to help young adults find a path forward and connect with the right support systems [23:30]. She emphasizes the power of reframing language from “I am a failure” to “I failed this class,” and the importance of offering choices to give young adults a sense of control over their future [26:45]. For more information, visit The Impactful Parent’s website at theimpactfulparent.com and Joanna’s website at lilleyconsulting.com.