As high school graduation celebrations wrap up, the next big step—college—comes fast. If you’re a parent of a student with a learning disability, ADHD, or mental health diagnosis, you might be asking: What do we need to do right now to get ready? This is where college transition planning comes in.
The transition to college can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This 12-week plan was created to walk you and your student through everything you need to know to make the move to college smoother and more successful.
Why a 12-Week Plan?
The transition to college is more than just dorm shopping and meal plans. For students with disabilities, it involves understanding accommodations, developing self-advocacy skills, and learning how college support services differ from high school. That’s a lot to cover.
To support both your time and your needs, we’ve curated a series of 12 podcast episodes—each building on the last—to help you prepare step-by-step. These episodes will give you real tools, resources, and insights, including tips directly from students who’ve been through it.
What Makes This Series Different?
This isn’t just another generic college checklist. These 12 weeks are packed with expert advice, practical strategies, and real-world context drawn from over 15 years of working in higher education and disability services—and from my own personal experience as a parent navigating this process.
Each episode focuses on one key piece of the transition puzzle—from requesting accommodations to promoting student independence.
Getting the Most Out of the Next 12 Weeks
To help you truly benefit from this series, here are five tips to make the most of the next 12 weeks of college transition planning.
1. Download the Free College Accommodations Checklist
Before anything else, grab your free College Accommodations Checklist. This tool outlines exactly what documentation is needed, what steps to take, and when to take them. Think of it as your roadmap.
📌 Bonus Tip: Print it out and keep it handy. Use it to track your student’s progress as you go through the episodes.
2. Get the Book: Self-Advocacy for Higher Education
This isn’t just a companion—it’s the textbook for your 12-week journey. My book, Self-Advocacy for Higher Education, gives your student a framework for communicating with disability services staff, understanding their needs, and taking ownership of their success.
Find it on Amazon by searching the title or click the button below. Encourage your student to read it with you, so you can start building their confidence and independence now.
3. Set Aside Dedicated Time Each Week
Treat this like a class. Schedule time each week to listen to the episode, review the checklist, and read a section of the book. Include your student—and your spouse or co-parent if possible—so everyone is on the same page.
This isn’t just helpful for you—it’s a chance to foster communication and shared understanding as a family.
A new podcast episode comes out every Wednesday morning, early, like 5 AM early. So, set aside dedicated time for this each week. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
4. Take Notes and Start Conversations
Bring a notepad (or use a digital note app) while you listen to each episode. Jot down key takeaways, questions to follow up on, or ideas that apply specifically to your student’s situation.
Then, talk about what you find important with your student. This is the beginning of the collaboration they’ll need to succeed in college.
5. Share the Journey
Know another parent going through this transition? Share the podcast. Invite them to take the 12-week journey with you. This process is less overwhelming when you have a community.
What’s Next?
Each episode in the series will explore a different aspect of the college transition for students with disabilities, including:
- What you need to know about disability documentation.
- My personal mistakes with my son’s college transition.
- The importance of self-advocacy and how to build it
- What students really need to succeed in their first semester
- Getting yourself and your student ready for the first semester.
- Homesickness and how to deal with it and how to support your student.
You’ll come away with more confidence, clarity, and concrete action steps.
Final Thoughts: College Transition Planning, It’s Not Too Late—But Don’t Wait
While it may feel like you still have time before move-in day, that time passes fast. This 12-week series is designed to help you use the time you do have wisely.
So go ahead—download the checklist, get the book, and block time on your calendar for the first episode. Each week builds on the last, and by the end, you and your student will be far better prepared for what lies ahead.
Tune in next week for Week 1 of the 12-episode college transition series on the After the IEP Podcast.
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and download your free resources.
