As students prepare for life after high school, much of the conversation focuses on college admissions, acceptance letters, and where students choose to enroll. Yet for many families, a different question is becoming increasingly important: why do some students thrive in college while others struggle despite having the ability and potential to succeed? Maximilian Kolbe College, founded by Dr. Tera Torres, reflects a growing conversation around the role of support, connection, and student development in shaping long-term college success.
I had a chance to interview her to learn more.
Besides academic preparation, what are some factors that help ensure college success?
While academics certainly matter, they are only one piece of the puzzle. In my experience as an educator and founder of Maximilian Kolbe College, the students who thrive in college are often those who have developed strong self-awareness, self-advocacy skills, and resilience. Success in college requires students to manage their time, navigate relationships, communicate with professors, seek help when needed, and recover from setbacks.
Executive functioning skills—such as planning, organization, task initiation, and prioritization—often play a larger role in college success than many families realize. Students also benefit from having a sense of purpose and understanding why they are pursuing higher education in the first place. When students feel connected to their goals and know how to access support, they are much more likely to persist through challenges.
Why is it important to help prepare kids for the college transition, and how can families do that?
The transition to college is one of the first major steps toward adulthood. For many students, it is the first time they are expected to manage their own schedules, advocate for themselves, balance competing responsibilities, and make important decisions without constant parental guidance.
Families can begin preparing children long before college by gradually increasing independence. This might include having teenagers manage their own appointments, communicate directly with teachers, handle a part-time job, create a budget, or take responsibility for deadlines and commitments. These experiences help build confidence and problem-solving skills.
Perhaps most importantly, families should normalize the idea that struggle is part of growth. Students do not need to arrive at college with every skill mastered. They need to know how to ask questions, seek support, and continue learning when things become difficult.
What are some often-overlooked factors families should consider when searching for the right college fit?
Many families focus primarily on rankings, reputation, or campus amenities, but the best college is not necessarily the most prestigious one—it is the one where a student is most likely to thrive.
Families should look closely at the support systems available to students. What academic support services exist? How accessible are professors? Are there opportunities for mentoring, career development, and meaningful campus involvement? For students with learning differences, ADHD, autism, or other disabilities, it is especially important to understand what accommodations and individualized supports are available.
I also encourage families to consider campus culture. Does the student feel welcomed, understood, and valued when they visit? Can they envision themselves building relationships and finding a community there?
Finally, families should think beyond graduation requirements and ask how the institution prepares students for life after college. The strongest colleges help students develop not only knowledge, but also confidence, communication skills, practical experience, and a sense of purpose that will serve them long after they earn a degree.
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