How to Help Your College Student Gain Independence and Executive Function Skills

How to Help Your College Student Gain Independence and Executive Function Skills

From The Positively Healthy Mom by Laura Ollinger, M.Ed. in Health & Wellness | Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach

May 20, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 107

About this episode

This episode discusses strategies for helping college students gain independence and develop executive function skills.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Shannon Weisblatt, a College Executive Function Coach with over 20 years of experience in education and special education. Shannon specializes in helping students master the "hidden curriculum" of college—time management, organization, and self-advocacy. This episode is essential for moms of high school juniors and seniors who want to prepare their kids for independence, as well as parents of current college students who are struggling to keep their heads above water academically. Key Conversations in This Episode: * The Shift from Manager to Consultant: Why parents should begin "putting on the brakes" during junior year of high school to allow teens to practice autonomy before they leave home. * Overcoming the Procrastination Loop: Practical strategies for students who are "stuck," including brainstorming sessions to reduce overwhelm and the power of starting an assignment for just five minutes. * The Role of Natural Consequences: How to reframe a failed assignment or a poor grade as a "beautiful learning opportunity" rather than a catastrophe. * Outsourcing the Prefrontal Cortex: Understanding the balance between…

People in this episode

Host: Laura Ollinger

Guest: Shannon Weisblatt

Topics covered

  • college independence
  • executive function skills
  • parenting strategies
  • time management
  • organization
  • self-advocacy

Keywords

  • college students
  • independence
  • executive function
  • time management
  • organization
  • self-advocacy
  • parenting
  • procrastination
  • learning opportunities

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Positively Healthy Mom

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