Looking for Accommodations in College? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Looking for Accommodations in College? Here's Everything You Need to Know

If your student might need accommodations in college — whether they have ADHD, a learning difference, an existing IEP or 504, or you were just starting to wonder what support could look like — this conversation was for you. 💛 We hosted a live Ask Me Anything on Growing Good Humans with Julie, an expert in transition services, and it was such an important conversation for families navigating the shift from high school to college support systems. Julie walked us through how college accommodations actually work and answered thoughtful questions from families about what the transition really looks like. One of the biggest takeaways? The system changes completely after high school. Colleges don’t follow IEPs, and students need to self-identify, provide documentation, and advocate for themselves. It can feel overwhelming at first — but it becomes much more manageable when families know what to expect ahead of time. Some of the topics we explored: • What accommodations are actually available in college • How students with ADHD, learning differences, and mental health needs can access support • The documentation families should start gathering now • How the process differs from high school — and why that matters • Julie’s transition checklist for families • Ways to help students build self-advocacy skills before move-in day Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought such thoughtful questions to the conversation. 💛 RESOURCES FROM EMERGING 1. Download the Free Getting Ready to Launch Guide [https://emergingconsulting.com/events/] — includes a College Application Timeline for every grade level 2. Explore Our College Consulting Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/services/] — learn how Emerging guides families through the full process 3. Academic Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/academic-services/] — mentored research projects and internship matching to help students build the experiences that stand out 4. Work With Us [https://emergingconsulting.com/contact/] — if this conversation sparked questions, we'd love to learn about your student KEYWORDS college career readiness, AI and the job market, college career services, freshman year college prep, high school career planning, what employers want, CU Boulder, Leeds School of Business, college admissions advice, college consulting, Emerging Consulting

How to Prepare Your ADHD Child for College | Laura Barr, CEO of Emerging Consulting

Laura Barr is a high-level college consultant and the Founder and CEO of Emerging Consulting, where she helps students and families navigate the college process with clarity, strategy, and purpose. With a background in student-centered coaching, Laura brings a unique perspective to college planning. Her work is grounded in a simple yet powerful mission: to help raise and launch good humans through the power of education. In this episode, Laura breaks down how the college application process is about much more than getting accepted. It is one of the first real-world opportunities students have to develop executive function skills like planning, time management, organization, and self-advocacy. We cover: 🗓️Why the college process should be treated like a long-term project, not a last-minute task 👪How parents can support without overstepping, and when to step back 🎓What students with ADHD and executive function challenges need to succeed in college 🏫How to build independence before stepping onto campus 📃What actually matters when choosing the right college If you are a parent of a high school student or a student preparing for college, this episode will give you a clearer framework for approaching the process in a way that builds real-life skills, not just outcomes. Learn more about Laura Barr and her work: emergingconsulting.com/ (https://www.emergingconsulting.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDFtYjlFTkZldjMyNGxWdFU2YnhjVkw3T0V5d3xBQ3Jtc0ttdkxjSkwxSmdrVmFoLWRsbGpYSTFqSmR3RVVxdFZtSERLOVhhTDN6XzVyMW4yTDZJdDJRTlJKZ25nMU91bzZnMHVrb1ZGYndzTmExWHQxTVhWZHFQdlVCdEJWeS1vUkZIVmtzVW9VSVoxX2drcm5DRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emergingconsulting.com%2F&v=ng7hwV9gA74]) laurabarr@emergingconsulting.com RESOURCES FROM EMERGING * Download the Free Getting Ready to Launch Guide [https://emergingconsulting.com/events/] — includes a College Application Timeline for every grade level * Explore Our College Consulting Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/services/] — learn how Emerging guides families through the full process * Academic Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/academic-services/] — mentored research projects and internship matching to help students build the experiences that stand out * Work With Us [https://emergingconsulting.com/contact/] — if this conversation sparked questions, we'd love to learn about your student KEYWORDS college career readiness, AI and the job market, college career services, freshman year college prep, high school career planning, what employers want, CU Boulder, Leeds School of Business, college admissions advice, college consulting, Emerging Consulting

Growing Good Humans Live: Career Readiness Starts in Freshman Year — What Every Family Needs to Know

What does "career ready" actually mean in the age of AI — and when should students start building toward it? In this live conversation, Laura sits down with Michelle Chessler, Career Advisor at CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business, to answer that question honestly. Michelle brings a rare dual perspective: years as a global marketing leader across gaming, telecom, and construction tech, and now a front-row seat watching 18-year-olds navigate one of the most competitive job markets in history. If your student is in high school, this conversation is for you. Most families think about career services sometime in junior or senior year of college. Michelle Chessler thinks that's too late — and in this episode, she explains exactly why. As a Career Advisor at CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business, Michelle works daily with students who are trying to figure out who they are, what they want, and how to compete in a job market that AI is actively reshaping. Before stepping into this role, she spent years as a global marketing leader across the gaming, telecom, and construction tech industries — which means she doesn't just understand career development in theory. She knows what employers are actually looking for when a résumé lands on their desk. In this conversation, Laura and Michelle dig into the real work of career readiness: what it looks like, when it should start, and what parents can do right now to help their students build the kind of foundation that holds up well after graduation. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why freshman year — not senior year — is the right time to start career exploration * How the rise of AI is changing what employers value on a résumé * Which skills and experiences actually differentiate candidates in a crowded field * What questions families should be asking about career services on every college tour * How values clarification, interest exploration, and personality awareness create real career clarity — not just a job title About Michelle Chessler Michelle Chessler is a Career Advisor at CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business, where she helps students build confidence and clarity in their career journeys. Before transitioning into higher education advising, she held global marketing leadership roles across the gaming, telecom, and construction tech industries. Michelle holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Business from UCLA and an MBA from CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business. Originally from Southern California, she now lives in Boulder with her husband, their 17-year-old twin boys, and two dogs named Pickles and Pebbles. If this conversation sparked questions about how to help your student build toward a purposeful career — starting now — we'd love to talk. Visit emergingconsulting.com to learn more about how we work with families. RESOURCES FROM EMERGING * Download the Free Getting Ready to Launch Guide [https://emergingconsulting.com/events/] — includes a College Application Timeline for every grade level * Explore Our College Consulting Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/services/] — learn how Emerging guides families through the full process * Academic Services [https://emergingconsulting.com/academic-services/] — mentored research projects and internship matching to help students build the experiences that stand out * Work With Us [https://emergingconsulting.com/contact/] — if this conversation sparked questions, we'd love to learn about your student KEYWORDS college career readiness, AI and the job market, college career services, freshman year college prep, high school career planning, what employers want, CU Boulder, Leeds School of Business, college admissions advice, college consulting, Emerging Consulting

How to Prepare for College: What Students & Parents Need to Know (College Transition Tips)

How do you actually prepare for college — beyond grades and test scores? In this live conversation, Laura sits down with college transition educator and author Dr. Andrea Brenner (How to College) to unpack what truly prepares students for the move from high school to college. They discuss the emotional, social, and executive functioning skills students need to succeed during the first year of college — and what parents often underestimate about this transition. This video is for: • Parents preparing a teen for college • High school students getting ready for college life • Families navigating the transition from high school to higher education Anyone looking for practical college readiness tips In this conversation, you’ll learn: • What “college readiness” really means • Why academic success alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth college transition • The independence, decision-making, and self-management skills students need • How parents can better support teens before move-in day • How to prepare emotionally and practically for the first year of college Andrea Brenner shares insights from years of working with first-year college students and introduces practical tools for families, including her book How to College and resources designed to help parents and teens have better conversations about college expectations. If you’re looking for real-world advice on preparing for college — for both students and parents — this conversation will help you approach the transition with more clarity and confidence. Special offer for our community: Andrea is offering $25 off registration for her How to College for Parents course. Use code SAVE25. Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-college-for-parents-tickets-1980266858481?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-college-for-parents-tickets-1980266858481?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl]

AI in High School Research: The Do’s, Don’ts, and Dangers

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere—and today’s high school students are already using it daily, from drafting emails to researching assignments and preparing college applications. While most teens now understand that AI can’t (and shouldn’t) write their essays for them, many still have questions about where the appropriate line is. Can AI help with background research? Lab reports? Science fair data? College prep? In this highly practical conversation, Laura Barr was joined by Dr. Robert A. Malkin, PhD, PE, to demystify how AI fits into academic work for high school students—and where it can become problematic. Together, they unpacked when AI tools can thoughtfully support learning and when they risk undermining integrity and authentic skill development. 💡 In This Episode, We Explored: - Whether AI is truly “new” in the world of science - The difference between generative and assistive AI - How (and whether) colleges use AI when reviewing applications - Why AI cannot generate a meaningful college application essay - When using AI for background research is appropriate - Whether AI can be used to research colleges prior to visits - The rise of literature reviews in applications—and how AI fits in - AI’s role in science fair projects, data analysis, and graphing - Where AI can be safely and ethically used, including language translation Designed for parents, educators, and students navigating a rapidly shifting academic landscape, this conversation offered clear, grounded guidance for using AI wisely—without compromising academic integrity or authentic learning. 👤 About Our Guest: Dr. Robert A. Malkin Dr. Malkin is Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering and Global Health, Emeritus, at Duke University and Academic Director of the International Research Institute of North Carolina. His career has included faculty and research roles at Duke University, the University of Memphis, the University of Tennessee, The City College of New York, and Columbia University. He is the founder of Engineering World Health and The Global Public Service Academies, organizations dedicated to improving healthcare in the developing world, and has served as an expert advisor to multiple World Health Organization committees focused on healthcare technology and innovation. 📚 Learn More: - A Guide to Academic Research for High School Students by Malkin & Hale: https://www.iri-nc.org/guidebook [https://www.iri-nc.org/guidebook] - Second edition coming soon! - International Research Institute of North Carolina - Read more about Programs (https://www.iri-nc.org/programs [https://www.iri-nc.org/programs]) or head directly to APPLY NOW (https://www.iri-nc.org/apply)! Emerging Blogs About AI: - College to Career: How to Future-Proof Your Path in an Age of AI and Uncertainty: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/college-to-career-how-to-future-proof-your-path-in-an-age-of-ai-and-uncertainty/ [https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/college-to-career-how-to-future-proof-your-path-in-an-age-of-ai-and-uncertainty/ ] - Your Teen’s Brain on ChatGPT: What the MIT Study Reveals—and How Parents Can Respond Thoughtfully: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/your-teens-brain-on-chatgpt-what-the-mit-study-reveals-and-how-parents-can-respond-thoughtfully/ [https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/your-teens-brain-on-chatgpt-what-the-mit-study-reveals-and-how-parents-can-respond-thoughtfully/] - Unlocking Potential: How AI and Tutor-Supported Test Prep Are Empowering Students with ADHD: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/unlocking-potential-how-ai-and-tutor-supported-test-prep-are-empowering-students-with-adhd/ [about:blank] - The Future of Test Prep: How AI is Changing the Game: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/the-future-of-test-prep-how-ai-is-changing-the-game/ [https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/college-prep/the-future-of-test-prep-how-ai-is-changing-the-game/] Additional Emerging Podcasts on AI: - Episode 18: Ace Your Future: How AI is Revolutionizing Test Prep & College Admissions: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/podcast/episode-18-ace-your-future-how-ai-is-revolutionizing-test-prep-college-admissions/ [about:blank] - Episode 17: How (and Why) High Schoolers Should Get Involved in AI: https://emergingconsulting.com/blog/podcast/episode-17-how-and-why-high-schoolers-should-get-involved-in-ai/