College won’t just test your student’s intelligence—it will test their emotional resilience.

That might sound dramatic, but here’s the truth: stress is the silent villain on college campuses.  It creeps in slowly—through late-night cramming, overloaded schedules, roommate tension, and that one grade that derails their confidence.

The mental health epidemic on campuses isn’t just about anxiety or depression. It’s about students not having the tools to deal with normal academic stress until it becomes overwhelming.

But there’s good news: emotional regulation is a skill—and like any skill, it can be learned. 🎯 And summer is the perfect time to practice.

The Shift: From "Push Through" to "Pause and Reset" 🔁

I had a student once—we’ll call him Marcus—who was a star in high school.  Straight As, honor societies, the works. But halfway through his first semester of college, he stopped showing up.

He wasn’t failing because he didn’t understand the material—he was failing because he didn’t know how to manage the weight of expectations, homesickness, and academic pressure. 😞

What he needed wasn’t a tutor. He needed tools to regulate his emotions and stay grounded when stress showed up.

🚨College success isn’t just about how smart your student is. It’s about whether they can handle stress without shutting down. 

The System: Regulate. Reflect. Re-center. 🔄

This summer is your chance to help your student build the emotional muscle memory they’ll need on campus.  Emotional regulation doesn’t have to be a big therapy session—it can be built into everyday moments. Here are three ways to practice:

1. Use Exercise as a Mood Regulator 

Let’s be honest—your student’s sleep and screen habits may not be their greatest strengths right now. But a simple rhythm of daily movement (walking, lifting, yoga, rowing, etc.) trains their nervous system to release stress instead of storing it. 

💡Student Tip: Commit to 20 minutes of movement every day. Use a playlist or a podcast to make it something they look forward to. 

💡Parent Tip: Make it a shared challenge. Start a movement streak together. It’s not about weight or performance—it’s about regulation.

2. Practice Emotional Vocabulary (Yes, Really) 

College students need more than “I’m fine” or “I’m stressed.” They need words like overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, discouraged, or uncertain to help name and tame their feelings.

💡Student Tip: Start a mood tracker journal this summer. Each night, write down how the day felt and why. 

💡Parent Tip: Model this during family dinner. Say things like, “I felt really frustrated at work today because I was behind on a project.” That shows emotional honesty is normal, not weak.

3. Build a Personal Regulation Toolkit 

When things go sideways in college (because they will), your student needs a go-to system for grounding themselves.

💡Student Tip: Spend time this summer experimenting with what helps you re-center. Deep breathing? Music? Going outside? Writing it out? Figure out your top 3 and write them down.

💡Parent Tip: Have a “toolkit talk” before they head to campus. Ask, “When you’re overwhelmed, what helps you calm down?” Share your own answers too.

Bonus Group Project: Research Campus Support Before You Need It 

If your student doesn't know where to turn when they're overwhelmed, they’ll freeze. So use this summer to build a map.

💡Do this together: Research your student’s future campus support services—counseling center, writing center, tutoring, STEM support, library help desks, etc.  Make a one-page “Where to Go When” resource and stick it in their college binder.

Final Thoughts

You can’t prevent stress from happening—but you can prepare your student to face it with confidence. 

✅Every student needs a plan for their mental health, just like they need a plan for their classes. 

College doesn’t come with emotional guardrails. But with just a few small habits, students can build their own.

➡️ Want to know if your student is emotionally and academically ready for college?

Start with our free College Readiness Assessment.

Then give your student the tools they need to start strong by enrolling in College Success Bootcamp—our 4-week summer program that builds the habits, systems, and mindset that reduce stress and increase confidence from day one.