College Parent Central Podcast

#147 – Encore Episode – Second Semester of College: The Transition No One Talks About

• Vicki Nelson, Lynn Abrahams, Elizabeth Hamblet • Season 7 • Episode 147

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The transition to second semester of college is so important – and often hidden – that we’ve decided to share this episode again. You and your student may be taken by surprise when the start of the second semester of college seems so difficult. In this episode, Vicki and Lynn explore why some students may experience the “second semester blues” and why some parents feel they need to increase their involvement. We share strategies you can use to calm your fears and help your student make the most of this fresh start.

Thank you for listening!

Encore And Topic Setup

SPEAKER_04

Hi everybody. This week is an encore episode. We're re-releasing one of our earlier episodes, Essential, at this time of year. You may have missed it the first time around, or maybe it wasn't relevant for you at that time. It's about the transition to the second semester of college. You know, everybody talks about that first transition that happens in the fall, but there's another transition during the second semester, and it's a little more hidden. So here you go. Because this is such an important topic. Here's the second semester of college, a transition no one talks about it. We hope it's helpful.

SPEAKER_00

Whether your child is just beginning the college admission process or is already in college, this podcast is for you. You'll find food for thought and information about college and about navigating that delicate balance of guidance, involvement, and knowing when to get out of the way. Join your hosts, Vicki Nelson and Lynn Abrahams, as they share support and a celebration of the amazing experience of having a child in college.

SPEAKER_05

Welcome to the College Parent Central podcast. I'm Vicki Nelson, and I am a college professor and a former director of academic advising, and I have three daughters who have all gone to college and come out on the other side. We've all survived.

SPEAKER_02

And my name's Lynn Abrahams. I'm a learning disability specialist. I work with college students. I am also the mom of two sons. So between the two of us, we have the girls and the boys covered. And we're here to talk about parenting college students.

Hosts Introduce Backgrounds

SPEAKER_05

And today, very specifically, we want to talk a little bit about the second semester of college. You know, the first semester of college gets a lot of press and a lot of thinking about what goes on. It's a very busy semester of transitions, of parents worrying, of parents adjusting to the empty nest, parents and students transitioning to new roles and a new life, learning what college is about, both from the student perspective and from the parent perspective. There's a lot to think about and a lot that goes on in that first semester. And then we come to the end of it and we think we're all done. And really, there are seven more semesters for most for many students, and sometimes even more than that.

SPEAKER_01

Sometimes more.

Why Second Semester Feels Different

SPEAKER_05

So the path continues. And second semester has its own sort of nature and rhythm. So we thought we'd talk a little bit about that today. You know, everyone's unique, and every student is unique, every parent is unique, and the relationship between students and parents are unique. But but there's a certain timeline, there's a certain rhythm and some universals for everybody. So it may take some parents by surprise when the second semester seems a little bit difficult. And we think it's important that you know that you're not alone. If all of a sudden this has reared its head and you weren't expecting it, because it feels as though this should be a breeze now, and there's nothing to it, and that there shouldn't be a problem. And because of that, no one talks about it. Everyone talked about the transition in the fall. Everyone talked about the empty nest. Everyone talked about their kids going away to college. And by second semester, you're supposed to be over it all, and no one talks about it. But we're going to talk about it a little bit today. We're going to change that. Um, because there is a kind of a loss again, just as there was in the fall, but it's a different kind of loss this time. And it's it's partially because they've, for most students, they've been home for a nice long winter break over the holidays. You've had them home again. They've been back under your roof, and you realize how much they've changed. We have an earlier podcast about what to expect when they come home for break, and that long winter break, and you might want to go back and listen to those. And you do realize that that the person who came home at at winter break is not the person that went away in the fall. And so you're much more aware of how much your student is changing as time goes along.

SPEAKER_02

I I think that impacts our role too, because sometimes we feel that we're not as needed. Ah, yes. Because they're going off, you know, they're going back. And um and we don't uh, you know, we don't have as much of a role to play. Um I do remember when um my older son went back to college on the second semester, and I do remember him saying that he found his people. And um it felt like he was quite happy to go back. Um and it just reminded me that that's a little step in the in the development, you know, that you know, our kids are going to take those steps away, and and that's a good thing.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Um but they've never feeling that.

SPEAKER_05

They've lived into that independence a little bit in that that first semester. And uh they're they're yeah, they're going back to their people, to their friends, and to a life that they've begun to put together for for many of them.

SPEAKER_02

Yep. Sometimes it could go the other way too, and they could um, you know, be very nervous about going back. And so um so that could be also a pretty emotional leaving again.

SPEAKER_05

And I think we're surprised by the emotion on both sides because we thought, well, you know, there were all those tears in September. Uh and and now it it's routine, but it's really not too routine yet.

SPEAKER_02

I think any transition can be difficult for at least a lot of students.

Winter Break Changes And Mixed Emotions

SPEAKER_05

And you know, as we talk about this, we also have to recognize, too, that by the end of this long winter break, we may be very happy that they're going.

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_05

So so don't feel left out if you're doing a little happy dance because it's time for your student to go back to school. Right. That's very normal too. Um and it's this mix that's that's I sometimes so difficult. Um and it's it's uh an interesting time for students too, and I I think it's important that we keep that in mind that uh some students experience a little bit of what we sometimes call the second semester blues. It's it's a a little bit difficult, and really when you think about it, it it's a natural reaction. Uh it's winter, and in many places in the country, that means it's cold and it's dark, and uh you know, you don't see the sunlight that much. It's kind of hard to get enthusiastic about a lot. You had this wonderful break that included holidays and family and relaxing time, and that's over. We all experience that that post-holiday slump a little bit once all of the celebration and excitement is over. So that long break was wonderful. Uh, I mean, how many of us like to go back to work on Monday morning after we've had a long weekend? Right. Um, and also the novelty of the college experience is worn off. They they students know the hard work that's ahead of them, that it it's not all fresh and new and uh celebration, it's now just this move along to the to the next step. And and the idea that summer vacation and May just seems a lifetime away. It seems like a long time until they're going to get a break. So often both students and their parents are taken by surprise that that there's a lot going on. Uh and and so then we then we panic a little bit because we haven't heard about this before. Whereas we worried about that empty nest, but we knew that was coming. Um and so what we one of the things that we can really do is help our students to understand that what they're feeling, whatever it is, is completely normal. Uh and that other people probably are experiencing it too, maybe not talking about it, but feeling it, and that it it does usually pass and they come out on the other side.

SPEAKER_02

You know, some of the students um who I work with um feel very proud of finishing that first semester and feel um, you know, thrilled that they can do it. I mean, I often tell my students that the goal of their first semester is to end the semester knowing they can do college. Um and so they're excited to go back. They might be very excited about going back. So, you know, that's another one.

Second Semester Blues And Reality Check

SPEAKER_05

As opposed to that uncertainty in the fall of can I do it? What's it going to be like? And now, yes, I can do it. I want to go do it again. Yep. And uh that uh sense of of accomplishment spurs them forward. Um so there are lots of specific things, um, you know, just just to think quickly about some of the things that might be causing concern to students about returning. Um the it's it's a return to reality. It you know, we I'm going to go back and I know there's going to be a routine, I'm going to have responsibilities, I'm going to have early morning classes, I'm going to have lots of work. It's the same feeling that really that we all feel at the end of a vacation when it's time to go back to work. As much as I love my job, uh, I I there's a return to reality that happens there. Um, perhaps the optimism of new resolutions have already worn off. You know, we make those New Year's resolutions, and some of us make it through a week or two before we aren't keeping up with our resolutions, so there may be that. Um and and there's really no fanfare this time. It's just, you know, go. Um there isn't a big welcome week and celebrations and a convocation. Really, the honeymoon is over, and now it's just down to doing what you need to do.

SPEAKER_02

And sometimes students walk right into that situation, you know, knowing what the workload's going to be, what the situation is going to feel like. Um, but a lot depends on how the first semester went.

SPEAKER_03

Ah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and um, you know, if it wasn't such a great first semester, um, you know, students are concerned and wondering how they can um, you know, turn things around, how they can um, you know, dig out of or or not feel as intimidated, you know, by being in college.

SPEAKER_05

Um that might be um we might, as parents, we might add to that a little bit, maybe unknowingly, because if the first semester didn't go very well, we might have spent some time over winter break having some conversations with our student, which is a good thing. But now there's a little added pressure. I expect you to do better this semester. I expect you to turn things around, and so uh there's a little more hanging over your head uh in that way. Um, some students may be experiencing some second thoughts about their major. Uh they they came in the fall saying, This is what I want to do, and perhaps and hopefully took a class in that subject, and now they're having second thoughts. And so this thing that I all through high school said, This is what I want to do, isn't right, but I haven't found a new passion yet.

SPEAKER_02

So that um and sometimes that could be a good sometimes that's a good thing. Yeah, because um, you know, it's it's a whole lot better to do that questioning after the first semester than it is when you grab after you graduate, you know.

When First Semester Went Poorly

SPEAKER_05

Right. Going into senior year and deciding you hate your major is a little bit tough. Yeah. Um, but it really does make it feel like this is a moment of decision. And and it's hard, I think, for students to hit pause a little bit and say, okay, that major's not right, but I don't know yet what is, and it's okay if I'm uh in between for a semester. So it feels like, okay, uh I I need to make a decision. And and another thing for many students is even at middle of this first year, they may have some friends who are not going to be returning in the spring uh that either decided that college is not right, I wasn't ready, I need a break, and so they're not going to be coming back, or who have perhaps transferred to another college, or just failed out. Uh, for whatever reason, some of the people that that they were close to in the in the fall are not going to be coming back, and and it feels a little bit at a loss. Uh and and even some friends who are coming back, student may be thinking a little bit more uh thoughtfully about their choice of friends. Uh it may be time to move away from those friends of convenience from the first semester of the people who just happened to live down the hall or were in this class, and you know, maybe beginning to think, I need to think a little bit more about who my social circle and and friends are.

SPEAKER_02

I think that's a really common thing that a lot of students make immediate friends when they get to college and then um and then realize when they come back for that second semester that that may not be where they what they want. Um, and they may also be getting more involved in um, you know, their major or they want to connect with people who have more similar interests and you know, want to make some shifts. And sometimes that's a really good thing.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, yeah. But the at the beginning of first semester, uh, one of the major concerns so many students have is will I have any friends? Right. And so anyone that they can sort of grab and and connect with it works, but then as time goes along, you begin to question that a little bit.

SPEAKER_02

I think that's one of the biggest sh um changes in the second semester. The first semester was a lot about survival. Yeah you know surviving it. Yes. And then the second semester changes can occur.

Rethinking Majors And Friendships

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, yeah. Time to settle down and and rethink.

SPEAKER_02

Um and I think also um, you know, the coming back from winter winter break and that could could have been a time of some shifting changes with home relationships. You know, um I think sometimes when people go away and then they come back, some of their relationships change. So either a romantic relationship might split up, or it might be that old friends don't quite feel like that's where you know.

SPEAKER_05

That connection isn't quite there.

SPEAKER_02

So that could, you know, that could also happen. Um and then of course there's being home and hearing everyone else's stories and hearing how great life is for everyone else. That could be, you know, you know, the the grass is always greener everywhere else.

SPEAKER_05

And um so between being home and also social media definitely feeds that that people are posting the pictures and the stories of everything wonderful. And it does always seem as though, wow, everyone everywhere else is having such a good time. Why am I just having to work so hard or work so hard to find friends or or something?

SPEAKER_02

And I think that um that means that sometimes this is the time that students will talk about transferring. And I think that's a part of the it's often part of the process of settling into college to talk about transferring because it's uh sort of thinking through, gee, I can go somewhere else. Um and then often they they choose to be where they are after thinking that through. Um and um sometimes that's not something to be afraid of. I mean, I think as parents, sometimes we're we're get very nervous when our students say, uh-oh, they're they've only been in school for one semester and they're thinking about transferring. And it's just not unusual at all for students to think that through. It doesn't mean they're actually going to leave.

Transfer Talk And Perspective

SPEAKER_05

But just knowing that you have options helps you make feel feel as though deciding to stay, which many students do, most students do, but the decision to stay becomes an affirmative decision of a choice to do that. So, in a lot of ways, with all of these things going on, second semester, it it it really is a much more thoughtful return to college than that first one. Students know what to expect. Um, some of those are wonderful and some of those are, you know, reality difficult. Um, and and they have some mixed feelings. Um, but everyone expects you to be settled in, and you may not feel that way. So there's a little bit of a disconnect in in that way, um, which is part of what often causes parents to worry. There's this interesting phenomenon that happens that often parents' involvement actually increases during students' second semester of college. Um, and and really, when you think about all the things we just talked about, that's what parents are seeing, that's what parents are hearing. Um, there were those good experiences in the fall and not so good. So we have lots of reasons to worry a little bit more and to perhaps want to now step in a little more than maybe we should. Um because we recognize that our student is experiencing some of those second semester blues. Or maybe grades weren't very good in the fall, and there were other issues. There, you know, there might have been social issues, there might have been behavioral issues, and we say, okay, now we see what college is like. Um, will this continue? We we want to step in. Or maybe grades were great in the fall, and we want to make sure our student is able to maintain those grades, and we're worried about whether they'll be able to do that.

SPEAKER_02

You know, another thing that happens second semester is spring break. Uh-huh. Which can be well can be a crazy time, or you know, it depends. Some sometimes, you know. You know, that's when our kids want to go take a trip or take, you know, go places that where traditional college students go to do their party thing. So it, you know, it's spring break can can be uh And not all spring about that sometimes but but it's legend.

Parents’ Involvement Often Increases

SPEAKER_05

Right. And so as parents, we've heard about it and and seen it in the movies and uh and all. And so we worry what is what is my student going to want to do for spring break? And the reality is many students just go home, or many students do an alternative spring break activity where they go off with a group and they go build houses for habitat, or there are all sorts of things that students do, but there is this little looming thing of spring break that can cause parents to worry a little bit.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and so if you find yourself getting more involved in the second semester, you know, it's probably a good time to stop and think through what's going on and why you feel that way. Um so, you know, and part of it might just be that um your students um, you know, vent to you and you've heard all the the difficult times, you know, but keep in mind, remember that you're the one who gets the the most difficult stories. I mean, you're the safe place. And so when students need to vent, you're the one that they're gonna go to. So it's a good thing to keep that in mind and keep some perspective because because you're the safe place.

Spring Break Worries And Myths

SPEAKER_05

It really is almost a two-sided thing. You know, what students put out very often on social media, um on their Instagram and whatever else they're doing these days, um, is all the wonderful. Right. And then what they come home often with for their parents are is the venting about the things that are not going so well, about classes and professors and these requirements and the dorms and the food and the lack of social life or too much social life, and you know, you we begin to wonder how students could possibly survive. So there's lots that that's on our mind as we're we're sending our students off and and that causes us to want to get a little more bit more involved perhaps during that second semester, and and we need to think carefully. Sometimes it's probably appropriate, um, but sometimes we we just want to think about okay, why why am I feeling this? Because no one's talking about this second semester. Um but what we also can keep in mind and and keep reminding our students of is that this is a fresh start. Yes. Uh the second semester is you're at the same place m most of the time, but it's new classes, new professors, maybe some new friends, uh learning what happened well and not so well in the first semester, and now being able to put that into practice. So it is a a new beginning and doesn't need to be more of the same. And and students need to be prepared for those mixed feelings, as do we, both parents and and students. Um, and break has its own stress. So it may be, it may feel very good to return, not only for parents who are ready to have their students out of house, perhaps, but also that students say, okay, you know, now it's time to get back into my normal routine. And uh a little wiser than I was in the fall.

SPEAKER_02

And it always feels good to have a fresh start. I have to say, one of the things I love about working in a college environment is that feeling that every semester begins new.

Social Media, Venting, And Bias

SPEAKER_03

Yes.

SPEAKER_02

And every semester um is a brand new start, and new wonderful things can happen. And yet we're basing, we're we're leaning on the experience we have from that last semester. So students are coming back, um, you know, having gone through um the rhythm of one semester, and so they know more about what's expected of them. Yeah. And often they're, you know, not as overwhelmed. Um, they know a little bit more about how the social and the academic pieces mesh together. Um, they can build on some of that, you know, confidence. Again, I've had a lot of students who were so thrilled that they've made it through that first semester and feeling so good that they want to take that next step forward, whatever that may be.

SPEAKER_05

They really gain a lot of college knowledge during during that first semester. And that can give them that can give them confidence, even if the knowledge is now I know what doesn't work and I know what not to do. And and that can make all the difference in it in how you approach what you do in that second semester.

Second Semester As A Fresh Start

SPEAKER_02

It is a good time to start thinking about getting in more involved in the community. Often students spend their first semester again surviving and making sure they can do it. And then the next semester is a time to get involved, you know, get get involved in clubs, get involved in the in the community, in the in the student government or you know, whatever, um wherever they feel like they they fit.

SPEAKER_05

Um so many students when they come in September first semester say, you know, I'm not going to I'm not going to join any activities. I just want to focus on my on my studying. Right. And and that's a a great goal, but being involved in the campus community, uh actually, you know, students who who do things like participate in extracurricular activities and clubs, and even who have a a small job on campus academically do better. Yep. They they they need to be a little more focused and and and it's a good it's a good thing. And second semester is a great time to start to to do that.

SPEAKER_02

Um I have some students who um, you know, I've spent time working with with them around how to approach their academics and how to use, for example, using technology to help um help them with their academics. And I have students who the first semester don't want to try anything new and don't want to do, you know, uh try these these new ways, um, but by second semester they're ready to roll. And so they're getting their books, you know, audio, audio version, or they're deciding to um approach note-taking in a different way, or or or some kind of try some kind of new strategy.

Get Involved: Clubs, Jobs, New Strategies

Considering Transfer While Leaning In

SPEAKER_05

They can focus on one or two new things because they've got some other things under control and they they know that they can do it. Uh and and being involved in the community also changes the way you view your experience. I think, particularly for perhaps some of those students who were thinking about a transfer. And as we said earlier, that's it's not atypical. Uh, a lot of students start to think about transferring, and those are some important conversations. I think, you know, we have a whole podcast we can do on transferring and thinking about that. Um and they those students really need to think carefully about those options and whether that's really what they want to do. But sometimes just knowing you're thinking about it opens you up to enjoying your experience a little bit more. I know we've mentioned on an earlier podcast about uh Harlan Cohen's book, um, The Naked Roommate, and uh there's a whole story in the title of that one. We'll we we'll put a link to it in the show notes. Uh but he talks about during his first year deciding at mid-year that he wanted to transfer. And what just knowing he had made that decision opened up his experience in the second semester. The pressure was off, and he had a wonderful second semester. At the same school. At the same school, yes, just because the pressure was off. I think he ended up actually transferring. I think he did. But I've talked to so many students uh who are juniors and seniors and say, I thought about it and I am so glad I didn't transfer, but just, you know, instead chose to participate in more on campus. So it it seems a little contradictory. I'm thinking about leaving, but I want to do more, but it's a way to really decide whether the community is right for you, and to set some goals for the semester. Here's what I want to do, and here's what I hope to accomplish, and maybe some of that is around some of those extracurriculars. So we've talked a little bit, well, we've talked a lot, I guess, about a lot of the big ideas and the theoretical things about why students might be having mixed feelings, why parents have mixed feelings and may want to get more involved. Um I think we it might make sense to go through a little bit of some strategies, some what are some things that parents can actually do both to calm their own fears and and and to help their student at the same time. Real kind of action plan. And and so one of the things that we've talked about is you know, this is a time to listen a lot. And uh that doesn't mean that you need to have an answer or a solution to everything, but just really listen to your student and hear what they have to say.

SPEAKER_02

And remind them that um, you know, that concerns are pretty common the second semester. Um they're not alone, and that's part of what happens. Um it might be a good time to take a look at, you know, your own expectations um for your student. Um are they realistic? Are you expecting um too much from your students too quickly? Um are you, you know, how what are you expecting? And remembering that this is a huge transition um from high school to college.

SPEAKER_05

Um it's still continuing. And it's it's not something that happens in the first couple of weeks and then they're done.

SPEAKER_02

And every semester holds its own special little challenges. Um so yes, uh every semester. So but but think about what you know how you're supporting your student. Um this might be a wonderful time um to connect with other parents, um, either online or in person. Um talking to other people can be um really um soothing and calming and informative.

Action Plan For Parents

SPEAKER_01

Informative. You get information too. Absolutely. Absolutely. So that this could be a great time to do that.

SPEAKER_05

And it's it's also a good time to perhaps hold back from calling or texting your student more than you have in the past. I think especially if there were some issues in the fall semester, uh, you know, wanting to perhaps stay in closer contact, but um, giving them that space uh is really the beginning of that process of showing your student that they can handle things and that you believe that they can handle things and not to not to jump in too much. Um I think it also helps to remember as we as they're getting ready to go and we're feeling this concern that often it's the leaving that's the hardest, uh that moment of leaving. I mean, think about you know dropping them off in the in the fall, and it's it's that when you have to turn and walk away, or your student turns and walk away walks away. Or I remember dropping my my kids off at daycare and and nursery school, and it was that moment of leaving that was the hardest. And sometimes, you know, they were crying, crying, and then I sat in the car and cried, and then I called, and they the daycare provider said, Oh, they're fine. You know, two minutes after you left, they were they were fine, they moved on. So, you know, we feel those tugs, but remembering that um, you know, it's that moment when when they go after after break. And one of the things that you can do is to send them a you know an absolutely wonderful welcome back to college care package that it it gets there within the first couple of days of them being back. And just just that's a way of reaching out and being involved and and and just sending them a message.

Boundaries, Space, And Care Packages

SPEAKER_02

And again, remember that our role is to be um in the background, um, to to you know, listen, point our students towards resources. It's not our job to call the resources to call you know the school. It's our job to say to our kids, gee, if you're struggling, maybe you could go here or go, you know, talk talk to other people. Um so our role is, you know, on the back, um supporting them, um helping them to create um some goals and some action plans, um, so that they have sort of a momentum, they can make this semester move. Um you know, if it's it's important to talk about last semester again and learn from mistakes, learn from areas of difficulty, learn from um, you know, whatever happened. Um, for some students, um, it may be some challenges with academics. For some students, it may be challenges um living in residence halls, living with a roommate, um, the social piece. Um, it's really good to have you know talk honestly about some of those things that have happened.

Guide To Campus Resources And Counseling

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, and I think uh reminding them again and again that it's a fresh start. Yes. Uh and to take advantage of all of these things. I think some students feel perhaps that they're they're afraid to ask for help now in the second semester because they're supposed to know it all by now. And, you know, it's one thing in in the middle of September when I was brand new, if I needed to ask where to find the advising office or or where I could get a tutor, but I shouldn't be asking those things by January and reminding them that it's still part of that learning curve. Um and maybe, you know, just encouraging your student to plan some new things, to do some things differently this semester, uh, whether that's new activities or new ways of doing things, uh just try something new, shake it up. It's middle of winter, you know, do do something that's a little bit different. Um, but not to make any major decisions right now. That that time when you first go back in the second semester may not be the time to make a final decision about um perhaps about changing your major or about transferring, you know, just give it some time to settle into that second semester a little bit. Um, maybe getting an on-campus job if the if they haven't had an on-campus job. Not only because it's a little bit of extra cash, which every good student loves, but also it's a way to connect with people on campus and get to know people and get to know how things work on on the campus, and that that's a good thing. Um but if it's winter and it it is there are all of these things going on, and if your student is really seriously unhappy to encourage them to take advantage of counseling. Uh uh every school has counseling centers. And the people who work in the college counseling centers are used to the rhythm of college life, and they're used to the kinds of issues that college students deal with, and so they're really equipped to talk with students and and help them. So encouraging your student to take advantage of those sorts of things. So there are some things as parents that we could do to actually feel as though we're we're taking some action. Um, but all you know also to remember that there are some wonderful things. We've we've we've talked about all of these concerns, um, but there's some wonderful things about that that second semester. That that newness of of classes and professors and uh ways of doing things is is all brand new. Uh the fact that that students are returning with all of that college knowledge that they've gotten in the first semester, they know how now to survive and to thrive a little more in their college experience.

Celebrate Momentum And New Beginnings

SPEAKER_02

And they know some of the mistakes that are common to make and how to make changes to avoid them. Um so this is uh it's a wonderful new beginning to um to redo some things if they need to. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Um build build on everything from that first semester. So this is a different kind of goodbye uh at the end of winter break as your student returns for second semester. And it may seem a little bit anticlimactic. Um, it's not that high drama big goodbye that uh that happens in the fall when you first drop your student off. Um it's a kind of a send-off that is a little more informed, a little more considered, um, you know, and in some ways it's a little more poignant. There's a there's a there's that emotional thing that's going on. Um, but it's another opportunity to savor that moment um and recognize it as just another step along in that that long journey that that continues.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, each step is a step forward.

Closing And Resources

SPEAKER_05

Yes, yeah. Sometimes there's a step backwards and then another step forward, but it's all moving toward that finish line of commencement there. So we hope that you found some useful information here, and we hope that you want to join us for some future conversations. Uh if you do, please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and spread the word. Share it with some friends, and um maybe they'll listen and then you will have some things in common that you can talk about. Um visit the College Parent Central website for uh more articles related to these topics and some show notes. We'll list uh some of the books that we talk about or some of those things there. And uh we hope. You'll continue to join us, so till next time. Bye bye.