#088 Executive Function Skills for College Success with Lauran Kerr-Heraly

Flourish Coaching

Sep 19, 2023

In this episode, Lisa and Lauran discuss:

The 4 (surprising) categories of executive function skills every student needs for success.
Why executive functioning skills are more important than the standard high school education leads you to believe.
Tips for how parents and families can set their teen up to learn these skills for a successful transition to college.
Tips for creating open avenues of communication with your student to set them up for happiness.

Key Takeaways:

Students spend a lot of time studying inefficiently. Managing time effectively is critically important.
The four S’s of executive function skills: scholastic, study, social, and sensibility.
As a parent, once your student is in college, your student’s information cannot be given to you without signing a FERPA release, and even then it is not your place to be checking in with your student’s professors. That is the student’s responsibility.
The demands on a high school student do not match up with their current executive function skills…and it isn’t their fault.
Notice what your student is doing well, and help them learn the skills that they may be struggling with.

“The right skills are one of the most important things you can do for them. Because after they get into college, they are kind of on their own, but they still need you. Open warm communication is really important. And then scaffolding as much as possible so that you can set them up to not only be successful, but happy because that’s what we want.” – Lauran Kerr-Heraly

About Lauran Kerr-Heraly:

Lauran Kerr-Heraly is an award-winning educator and author who has dedicated her career to transforming lives through education. She is a Professor of History and Innovation Fellow at Houston Community College. She earned her Ph.D. in History and Women’s Studies at the University of Houston and her research focuses on Black women medical doctors. She is the winner of the Texas State Historical Association’s Randolph B. “Mike” Campbell Award, Houston Community College’s Teaching Excellence Award, and NISOD Teaching Excellence Award. Lauran developed her program Altering Course to empower families to achieve success in college

Episode References:

Executive Function Infographic: https://www.alteringcourse.com/infographic

Goal Setting for Students: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/blog/goal-setting-for-students/

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/howtoguideyourteen-free-training