From waking up on time to attending appointments, budgeting to doing laundry, even bright and skilled teens struggle. Why? Independently managing healthy routines, sustaining self-care rhythms, adhering to personal schedules, and meeting expectations require executive functioning proficiencies that are still under construction for many LD/ND adolescents.

Thriving in college requires more than just intellectual ability — it demands the grit and maturity to handle real-world obligations. Learning to balance course loads is difficult, but learning the self-discipline and organizational muscle to wake up, take meds, eat properly, exercise good judgment, and monitor wellness every single day apart from parents can pose an even greater challenge.

Junior or senior years are perfect times to prioritize critical aspects of independence. These important life skills can truly make or break student success.

Here are 5 ways parents can help their students become ready for college:



1. Build self-advocacy skills: Help your teen script out and roleplay key conversations for requesting accommodations from teachers, asking questions in class, or setting up meetings with counselors. Practice having them take the lead in the conversation, as they'll need to do in the actual interaction. Practice can be very helpful here in increasing their confidence.
2. Transfer organization ownership: Phase out reminders and delivering forgotten items to school. Instead, set up systems together, like calendar alerts, a weekly/monthly homework and assignment plan, and daily checklists, so they independently track assignments and manage materials. 
3. Coach email etiquette: Show them how to professionally communicate needs via email to teachers, counselors, coaches, and other adults. Draft messages together with the right introduction, a clear request, the proper tone, and a sign-off.
4. Hand off medication management. If they take prescriptions, walk them through the process of refilling meds independently, self-administering on schedule, and making their own doctor appointments. Have them add alerts on their phone, so they can order refills with enough lead time.
5. Build adulting habits: Take every chance to nurture their independence — assign chores like laundry, cooking, and minor room cleanups. Set up a debit account for their discretionary spending, and share tips on time and money management that put them in the driver's seat.

With guided practice in these vital areas well before college — starting in junior or senior year — you can empower your student to manage academics and life in college.