The Missing Link: Why Executive Functioning Support Matters More Than Ever in College

The Missing Link: Why Executive Functioning Support Matters More Than Ever in College

You’ve got the dorm essentials checklist.
You’ve toured the campus.
You’ve double-checked that financial aid is in place.

But have you checked on your student’s executive functioning skills?

Because here’s the truth: academic ability alone won’t carry them through college.
What will? The ability to plan, start, persist, adapt, and follow through—without someone else holding the structure together.

These are executive functioning skills, and they’re the missing piece in far too many college readiness plans.

What Exactly Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning is the set of cognitive processes that help us get things done. That includes:

• Task initiation: Starting something even when it’s hard

• Planning and prioritization: Knowing what needs to happen and when

• Time management: Allocating time wisely and estimating how long tasks take

• Working memory: Holding instructions or ideas in your mind as you work

• Emotional regulation: Managing feelings to stay focused and respond well to stress

• Organization: Keeping track of materials, dates, and details

• Self-monitoring: Being aware of your own performance and adjusting as needed

In college, these aren’t “nice to have.”
They’re the foundation for independent success.

College Doesn’t Teach These Skills—But It Assumes Students Have Them

Colleges are designed for students who can function without daily nudges or scaffolds. Professors expect self-management. Campus support exists, but students are expected to seek it out and advocate for themselves—something that requires executive functioning in itself.

And while high schools often support these skills indirectly through structure and reminders, most students aren’t taught how to function independently in a new, unstructured environment.

So what happens when a student struggles with executive functioning in college?

• They don’t start big assignments until the night before

• They forget to check the syllabus or email

• They miss office hours, misread deadlines, or overlook small tasks that tank their grade

• They feel overwhelmed, confused, and ashamed—but don’t know how to fix it

This Isn’t a Motivation Problem. It’s a Skills Gap.

Parents often tell us:
“But they did so well in high school…”
And that’s true! Many of our students were top performers—until the structure fell away.

College doesn’t just demand more academic rigor.
It demands self-management.

Without executive functioning support, capable students spiral into:

• Procrastination and shutdown

• Poor sleep and eating habits

• Missed classes and social withdrawal

• Tanked grades and plummeting confidence

The result?
Wasted tuition, delayed graduation, and students questioning their worth.

The Good News: Executive Functioning Can Be Taught

These aren’t fixed traits.
They’re skills—and like any skill, they can be built with:

• Consistent practice

• Personalized tools

• Supportive coaching

• Real-life application

Students don’t need to “try harder.”
They need someone to help them understand how their brain works, identify what’s not working, and create strategies that make sense for them.

That’s what executive functioning coaching does.
That’s what changes everything.

The Earlier the Support, the Smoother the Launch

You wouldn’t send your kid to college without a backpack or a laptop.
So why send them without the skills and supports they need to navigate independence?

By supporting executive functioning before and during the transition to college, you give your student:

• Tools to stay on top of deadlines without reminders

• A plan to balance classes, sleep, meals, and downtime

• Confidence in their ability to advocate, adapt, and recover from setbacks

• A strong start to build momentum instead of shame

Ready to Fill the Gap?

Our workshop, From Home to Campus: A Parent’s Roadmap for ADHD Success, is designed to give you the insights and tools to do exactly that.

Because this isn’t just about academics.
It’s about helping your student grow into a self-led scholar—not a frantic floater.

👉 Learn more and save your spot: www.collegeadhdcoach.com/fromhometocampus