Parenting Archives - College Countdown

Parenting

Debunking the Headlines: A Closer Look at the Importance of College

Recent Gallup polling reported a sharp decline in how Americans view the importance of a college education: those saying an undergraduate degree is “very important” fell from 75% in 2010…

Mitchel A. BaumFebruary 24, 2026

Parenting

College Pays. Especially in California.

Strata Education Foundation is a nonprofit, founded in 2010, dedicated to strengthening the connection between education and career opportunities. They publish an annual report on the return on investment of…

Mitchel A. BaumFebruary 23, 2026

Parenting Senior Student

The Skills That Get You the Job—and Why College Still Matters

But the question is, which skills? The basic technical skills needed to do most jobs are the price of entry. You don’t get an interview or get past HR unless…

Mitchel A. BaumFebruary 22, 2026

Parenting

Sleigh College Stress: Merry and Meaningful Winter Break Conversations

While these conversations can feel pressure-packed, the holiday break offers parents a golden opportunity to connect with their students about their college journey—if approached carefully and creatively. This season, let’s sleigh…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDDecember 1, 2025

Junior Student Parenting

SMART Goals: Small Steps That Stick

It’s a helpful framework, but when it comes to studying for something big — like the SAT — it often feels too big. Students make ambitious promises (“Raise my score…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDNovember 23, 2025

Parenting

Fear of Failure—and How to Fix It

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on the “fixed mindset” shows that when students believe their intelligence or ability is unchangeable, failure becomes a verdict instead of feedback. That belief, often…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 31, 2025

Parenting Videos

How Much To Share About Your College Decisions

Wisdom about what and when to share info about your college decisions from college savings advocate, Patricia Roberts. Tips from someone who’s been there–done that. 4974234

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.October 28, 2025

Parenting

Preparing for Your First-Year Student’s Return Home

What’s sometimes overlooked in the preparation process is that the child you dropped off just a few months prior may be returning home transformed in one way or another with…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.October 25, 2025

Affording College Parenting

The Psychology of Money in the College Search: Rethinking What Success Really Costs

That is why every spring, families celebrate acceptance letters as if they were championship wins. It is a joyful moment, but it can also bring quiet pressure to pick the…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 12, 2025

Parenting

How Students Grow and Develop in College

I have served in higher education for almost 20 years in various settings, from a small private school to a large state school. Through my diverse experiences in student affairs,…

Jason Castles, Ed.D.October 8, 2025

Illustration of a digital brain made from circuit patterns against a blue background with colorful pixel blocks.

Parenting

Outthink the Machines: Why Students Should Look Beyond AI and Build Timeless Skills for the Future

AI is a robust and growing field; many students are naturally drawn to it. But here’s the twist: while AI offers incredible opportunities, stepping back and thinking beyond the trend…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 7, 2025

Academic Success Parenting Student Life

Trust Me, I’m a College!

In my role of helping students succeed in college, I usually interact with parents in three different scenarios: during new student orientation, Family Weekend, and when parents are really upset.…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 6, 2025

Parenting

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