Are you sitting at the kitchen table with your teen this week, staring at a course registration sheet and wondering, "Does this actually matter for college?" In Part 2 of our deep dive into the college admissions landscape, host Laura Ollinger continues her conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators. While our last episode focused on the "limbo" of senior year, today we’re looking at the strategic foundation every student needs to build long before they hit "submit" on a college application.

Jenna breaks down the gold standard for high school course selection: The "Five-Four" Rule. We discuss why staying in the five core academic subjects—Math, Science, English, History, and World Language—for all four years is the secret to a competitive transcript. Plus, we tackle the big question for future STEM and Business majors: How do we get to Calculus?

The game is changing. As AI begins to influence (and read) college essays, universities are fighting back with high-tech "hoops." Jenna reveals a new trend: on-the-spot video prompts in student portals. We discuss how these interviews are becoming the new trend for admissions officers and how they mirror the modern corporate hiring process.

If your student is still in middle school or just starting high school, this episode is for you. Understanding the "math trajectory" and the business mindset of admissions early on allows you to help your child reach their goals without the last-minute panic of senior year. Whether you are signing up for courses this spring or just beginning to think about the future, Jenna’s insights will help you trade "application anxiety" for a clear, manageable plan.

• The Five-Four Rule: Why consistency in core classes beats "niche" electives every time.
• Calculus Readiness: How to map out a math path that keeps elite colleges interested.
• AI vs. The Human Factor: How video prompts are replacing (or supplementing) the traditional essay.
• The Business Puzzle: Why a 3.8 GPA looks different depending on your specific high school "profile."
• Comparison Trap: How to help your teen "stay in their lane" and focus on personal fit over prestige.

• Jenna Schebell: The College Navigators | Instagram: @‌thecollegenavigators
• The Navigator Network: Join Jenna’s month-to-month membership for virtual college counseling and expert webinars.

• Laura Ollinger: Positively Healthy Coaching | Instagram: @‌positivelyhealthymom

It’s February, and for many high school seniors and their parents, the "college limbo" has officially set in. Between waiting on regular decision letters and navigating unexpected deferrals, the stress at home can be at an all-time high. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Laura Ollinger sits down with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators, to pull back the curtain on the final stages of the college admissions process.

Jenna, an independent education consultant with over 20 years of experience, explains why the power dynamic is finally shifting. Now that the applications are in, it’s time for your teen to move from "applicant" to "decision-maker."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Decision Central" Mindset: How to handle the anxiety of not knowing where you’re going while peers are already posting their roommates.
• The Truth About Deferrals: What is "yield protection" and why do colleges keep students in limbo even when they are highly qualified?
• Choosing the Right Major: The strategic difference between direct-admit programs (like nursing and engineering) versus exploratory paths.
• Evaluating College Fit: Why attending an admitted students day is the best way to test the "vibe" and community values.
• The Summer Start Advantage: Why starting college in the summer might actually lead to a smoother social transition for your teen.

Whether you are navigating college application stress or trying to help your child choose between two different majors, Jenna provides the logical and emotional roadmap parents need right now.

Resources Mentioned:

• The College Navigators
• Follow Jenna Schebell on Instagram
• Positively Healthy Coaching: Connect with Laura Ollinger for parent and teen well-being support, including coaching around the college admissions time of life.

Next Steps: Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive deeper into this conversation with Jenna Schebell, founder of The College Navigators. If your teen is selecting high school courses and not quite in the college admissions phase, this one is for you!

Is your teenager choosing friends or dating partners who treat them poorly? It is one of the most painful experiences for a mother to witness, yet traditional parenting often leads to the one thing we fear most: our child pulling away.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, host Laura Ollinger sits down with pediatrician and parenting expert Kristen Cook, MD, to provide a roadmap for navigating toxic teen relationships. Whether you are dealing with a "mean girl" friendship dynamic or a red-flag romantic relationship, this conversation offers the neurological and tactical tools you need to maintain connection.

• The Neuroscience of Social Rewards: Understand why the teen brain is biologically wired to prioritize peer approval over parental logic. Dr. Cook explains the role of the nucleus accumbens (an area of the brain that is connected to motivation and action) and why "bad" relationships often feel rewarding to a developing brain.
• From Criticism to Curiosity: Learn the tactical "how-to" of intervening in unhealthy relationships. We discuss the power of the family meeting from a lens of prevention and how to ask open-ended questions that allow your teen to discover the truth for themselves without feeling controlled.
• The Mirror Effect & Parental Self-Worth: We explore the deep connection between a mother's self-confidence and her child’s relationship choices. Discover why working on your own inner self-worth is often the most effective way to help your teen build their own.
• Identifying Serious Red Flags: Dr. Cook outlines the physical and psychological signs of domestic abuse in teens and provides clear steps for when a parent needs to escalate the situation for safety.

Connect with our guest: Visit Kristen Cook, MD, at kristencookmd.com to find her book, Parenting Redefined, and listen to her podcast, Mom Doc Talk. Or follow her on Instagram at @‌momdoctalk_kcmd