There’s plenty of challenges to freshman year you might be prepared for – tackling the change in lifestyle or new levels of academic achievement, for instance.

But what about loneliness?

This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley combine both a professor and a student’s experiences to create a list of ten things you can do to start making friends in college. Each of their five tips breaks down the larger task – connecting with a community – into actionable steps that may surprise you with their simplicity. The general good news: everyone in college is in the same boat, and in some ways, making friends could never be easier.

Have more questions about getting connected in freshman year? Email us at ADRquestions@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

The days leading up to freshman year of college can feel like a flurry of activity. There’s enrollment, buying textbooks, moving into dorms – but often, it’s the little things you wouldn’t expect that can impact your experience most.

Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley bring five tips each, combining both a professor and student’s perspectives on ten things you can do to prepare yourself for your first day of college. The list covers simple, often-overlooked advice that may have fallen by the wayside for busy high school seniors in the college transition. From learning how to manage your “housekeeping” tasks to preventing getting lost on campus, this episode brings the practical insider knowledge that’s essential for every incoming freshman.

Have more questions about prepping for your first day of college? Email us at ADRquestions@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

The first day of college can be overwhelming for anyone. Just navigating the campus is a common challenge - but what if you'd never even set foot on a high school campus before? What if you'd never experienced traditional education until today? This is what homeschoolers are faced with on their first day.

Or is it?

This week, Dr. Ross and (homeschooled) cohost Ashley Worley tackle some of the myths and misconceptions of becoming college-ready as a homeschooler. Joining them are two formerly homeschooled students with vastly different experiences: senior Economics major Sara Maldonado and freshman Music major Lucy Holden. Together, they unpack what it's like to be homeschooled, from joining co-ops and purchasing curriculum to building independence and discovering your identity. There's lots to prepare for when the college transition approaches, and the way homeschooling translates just might surprise you.

Have questions about entering college as a homeschooler? Email us at ADRquestions@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!