If I am capable, why am I having such a hard time?
Maria felt stuck. She was now three weeks into the new semester and was already falling behind. Her classes barely gave her time to adjust, her chores that she left for when she got back were piling up, and she only just started. This caused a lot of stress for Maria, and since she felt alone now that she was old enough to be independent, she quickly began to struggle. She would snap at her roommate over small things, not show up to classes because she now had other things to do, not get enough sleep, and so much more. As these things continued to pile onto Maria, she one day called her mom, expressing the desire to drop out.
Worried her child would refuse to try again, Mariaās mother quickly reached out to the College Life Skills Program (CLSP) for help. While she knew her daughter was capable, it seemed she needed that extra support to ensure she was able to transition to and from college before eventually graduating and going out into the real world. At CLSP Maria met with a coach weekly to try and avoid having her underdeveloped skills prevent her from flourishing at college. There, she learned different strategies such as utilizing a color-coded planner, preparing BEFORE the semester, and not just when it begins, self-advocacy skills and more to try and make independent life easier to manage. With these skills and a level of accountability, Maria was able to start taking control of her life again.
College can be stressful for both the parent and the child, and not just academically. Sometimes, even when living independently, young adults still need guidance. Becoming overwhelmed or āstuckā while at college can be challenging. Feeling as if they have too much stuff to do and no idea how to plan, organize, initiate, or handle it at all can set them back, creating a cycle of avoidance, procrastination, and falling behind. This can be academically, socially, or in general life. Not keeping up with laundry, personal hygiene, making time for responsibilities/social time, and more can all be affected if they are not prepared for life before, during, and after college.
As parents, you worry. You wonder if they are prepared to be on their own, or know what to do if they are not, but you shouldnāt have to worry. At the College Life Skills Program, we help children, teens, and young adults not only be prepared, but feel confident in their ability to lead a successful independent life. Although your child may be capable, it doesnāt mean that they do not need some extra support. At times, being capable doesnāt mean they will utilize those skills when needed, and sometimes those skills arenāt at an age-appropriate level. Thatās why we help young adults get where they need to be in order to develop and utilize those much-needed skills.
At the College Life Skills Program, our team of Doctoral and Master level professionals utilizes a series of highly individualized strategies, services, and techniques to help young adults who are collegeĀ bound,Ā in college, and even after college succeed in and after their transition into adultĀ life.Ā We help teach them skills they need so they can be successful in the work world and in life as well as help them learn how to balance independent lifeĀ onĀ their own, and other life, executive functioning, social skills, and emotionalĀ maturity.Ā If your young adult is struggling with executive skills or the transition intoĀ college and adulthood,Ā CollegeLSP has the tools to aid them in achieving and generalizing suchĀ skills.
Click here and call now to schedule your FREE 20-minute individualized screening.
Dr. Eric J. Nach,Ā Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders.Ā Dr. Nach is the founderĀ of theĀ College LifeĀ Skills ProgramĀ whereĀ he and his team of professionalāsĀ help develop theĀ Emotional Maturity,Ā Executive Functioning,Ā Life SkillĀ andĀ Social AbilitiesĀ of college students and those high school students preparing for college. TheĀ CollegeLSPĀ is a subsidiary program of theĀ Support For Students Growth Center,Ā located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide
