A Rocky Start in High School I first met Max when he was in high school in Old Lyme, Connecticut. A bright student with potential, Max’s main obstacle was his lack of discipline. Poor study habits and a general disinterest in structured learning left him floundering academically. Recognizing his need for support, Max’s parents enrolled […]
Read MoreA big box arrived. It was not from Amazon but instead was perfectly gift-wrapped with a literal bow on top. The note read: “Lifetime Achievement Award.” The box was filled with goodies that only someone who knew my idiosyncratic preferences would know. It was from Liz’s kind parents. I feel young. Really young. But when […]
Read MoreThe 1990s/2000s seemed a lot easier than today’s world. Since becoming an educational consultant, I have witnessed the toll that mass confusion has taken on caring parents. As the world of education and work grows increasingly chaotic, many parents of high school students are feeling overwhelmed. Traditional paths that once guaranteed stability—such as pursuing a […]
Read MoreSarah, a bright, ambitious high school senior who felt stuck when it came to choosing a college major. She excelled in many areas—her teachers praised her for her leadership skills, her friends admired her creativity, and her family noted her love for helping others. But when it came time to narrow her career options, Sarah […]
Read More“Doug no longer just moved up a whole grade level across the board.” “Jenny finally understands Algebra II.” “Maddie went up 220 points after working with you for 6 weeks and only 40 points after working on a Kaplan program for about 6 months.” These are excerpts from some of this week’s e-mails. Why does […]
Read MoreIn this case, I am not focused on reputation but rather location. When we first meet students for college counseling, I understandably field the desire for warmer weather coming from Connecticut students. I get it. All things being equal, I, too, would choose warm weather. But as I sometimes say – half-kiddingly – I would […]
Read More“I hate math!” So said Maria, a bright 7th grader who flourished in reading and writing but in her words “felt stupid” in math. Maria – like many students – had not been grounded in the fundamentals. When she started working with The Learning Consultants, she had aspirations to attend either Choate or Hopkins, as […]
Read MoreOver the years, The Learning Consultants, without any strategic decision to do so, became what might be the largest provider of SSAT services in Connecticut. At one level, this makes sense. The Learning Consultants has staffed itself with top-notch educators and parents considering the investment in private schools will find the best. At another level, […]
Read MoreEvery generation looks with dismay at the next one. I’ve made it a point not to fall into the same trap. I am often the great defender of the young. But now the facts seem undeniable: young people are in crisis. They are not as happy and not as successful. The reasons are multifaceted, although […]
Read More“Young adults in the United States experience anxiety and depression twice as frequently as teenagers, according to a new nationally representative survey by Making Caring Common, a project of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Thirty-six percent of young adults — ages 18 to 25 — reported anxiety, compared with 18 percent of younger teenagers […]
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