Is Your Teen Truly Ready for College? | Episode 267

Your teen got into college. Now comes the harder question: are they actually READY to go? How can you tell if your teen is truly ready for college? And what can you still do if you're not sure, especially around safety, college parties, roommates, and making friends? In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan cut through the anxiety to give you a clear-eyed, compassionate framework for assessing your teen's readiness. And they’ll give you practical steps you can still take right now, even if you're not sure they're there yet. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: The two real signs your teen is ready for college (hint: it's not about grades or life skills) How to talk to your teen about roommates, parties, peer pressure, and personal safety Why smartphones are making social adjustment harder, and what actually helps teens find their people Why leaving college early is harder than most families realize When it might be wiser to delay college or take a gap year Whether your child is heading to campus in the fall or years away from that moment, this episode will help you feel more grounded, more prepared, and less alone in your worries. We'd love to know: what's the one thing you're MOST worried your teen isn't ready for? Drop it in the comments below. 👇 🎓 MEET YOUR HOSTS Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on adolescent development who partners with UNICEF to support parents worldwide. Reena Ninan is an Emmy-award winning journalist, former anchor for CBS and ABC News, and mother navigating the teen years in real time. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Is my teen really ready for college? 01:48 - How Covid left teens sheltered and unprepared 03:23 - Last-minute life skills to teach before college 05:17 - How worried should you be about a bad roommate? 08:27 - Preparing your teen for college parties and peer pressure 10:36 - What if my teen struggles to make friends in college? 13:00 - The real signs your kid is ready for college 15:04 - When to delay college or take a gap year 16:20 - Why leaving college early is harder than you think 17:42 - They'll never be 100% ready (and that's okay) 18:31 - How to have the big talks before they leave 📚 RESOURCES Dr. Lisa’s NYTimes Piece: When a College Student Has a Troubled Roommate: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/we... 🎬 WATCH NEXT Should your kid take a gap year? →    • Should My Kid Take a Gap Year? | Episode 114   Worried about homesickness at college? →    • Homesick Freshman? Here’s How to Help Them...   📂 College Playlist →    • College   🔔 SUBSCRIBE for expert parenting advice every Tuesday →    / @asklisapodcast   💌 GET DR. LISA'S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered to your inbox → https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-... 📖 DR. LISA'S BESTSELLING BOOKS Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – https://bit.ly/UntangledBook Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp 🎓 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP Premium courses & resources for parents of teens → https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F 🌐 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → https://drlisadamour.com/ 🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP 🎙️ Apple Podcasts → https://bit.ly/AskLisaApplePodcasts 🎙️ Spotify → https://bit.ly/AskLisaSpotify ABOUT ASK LISA The essential podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Join clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan every Tuesday as they tackle real parenting challenges—from anxiety and social media to friendships, school stress, and emotional development. Get science-backed strategies, compassionate guidance, and practical solutions you can use today. New episodes every Tuesday 📅 Produced by Good Trouble Productions → https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com 📱 FOLLOW ASK LISA Instagram →   / asklisapodcast   Facebook →   / asklisapodcast   X → https://x.com/asklisapodcast LinkedIn →   / ask-lisa-podcast   #AskLisa #parentingtips #raisingteens #collegereadiness #collegeprep #collegetransition #gapyear #parentingpodcast #sendingkidstocollege #collegedropoff #parentinganxiety #teensafety DISCLAIMER The advice provided on this podcast does not constitute or serve as a substitute for professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice or intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, consult a physician or mental health professional.