Conscious College Planning

08/23/2026

"I thought we had more time." That's what I hear from parents of juniors every August. Saturday's workshop was about making sure that's not you!

A room full of parents showed up on a Saturday morning, and nearly all of them stayed 30 minutes past the end asking questions. 🙌

Here's what we covered:

✔️ The six parts of a strong college plan, and why most families are only working on two

✔️ How test scores affect scholarship money, not just admissions

✔️ How to build a list around schools that actually want your student

✔️ What makes an essay stand out (hint: it's not better vocabulary)

Missed it? I do free 30-minute strategy sessions — where your student is now, what's next, and what I'd prioritize if they were mine. No pitch, and you'll leave with a clearer next step either way.

👉 Link in comments to grab a time.

🌟Co-hosted with Shining Students Tutoring

08/23/2026

🎓 What a great turnout Saturday! Nearly everyone stayed a full 30 minutes after we wrapped just to keep asking questions. That's my favorite kind of morning….Here's a clip on the part I could talk about all day: why we start with aptitude testing. I believe a plan should be designed with a student’s strengths in mind, it informs aligned educational pathways, careers,college list, smart extracurriculars, EVERYTHING tied to their success👇

08/05/2026

Ever asked a teen what they want to do with their life… and gotten a shrug? 🤷

I went on the EduFit podcast to talk about my favorite topic: aptitude testing — and how it helps students discover strengths they didn’t even know they had.

🎧 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjZfe1tcxyU&t=115s

Bonus: podcast listeners get 10% off aptitude testing — details in the episode!

What if choosing a college major started with understanding yoursel...

06/17/2026

The college landscape is always changing, and I believe the best way to guide students is to never stop learning myself. Grateful for the ideas, conversations, and new friendships from HECA that help me better support students in discovering their strengths and building futures aligned with who they are. 🫶

06/03/2026

Big news for Conscious College Planning! I was recently featured in Northwest Herald - Shaw Local for an article on the tougher job market today’s graduates are facing.

This topic matters deeply to me because college planning can’t just be about getting into college anymore.

Students need to understand how their strengths, interests, major, experiences, and opportunities connect to life after graduation.

In the article, I shared why families may need to look beyond rankings and “name-brand” schools, and why majors like business, finance, engineering, and psychology can lead to many different paths when students have the right guidance.

This is exactly the work I love doing: helping students make strong, informed decisions about college, career direction, and their future.

The goal is to help students feel more clear, confident, and prepared for the path ahead!

Read the article here:

As another group of freshly graduated college students enters the job market, challenging times may be ahead with slow hiring rates across the country.

05/22/2026

This experience over the past year has showed me that leadership doesn’t have one look, one voice, or one style. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the quiet leaders, the visionaries, the connectors, the challengers, and the steady forces working behind the scenes, all shaping our community in meaningful ways. Grateful to grow alongside such a diverse and inspiring Class of 2026 through Leadership Greater McHenry County.

05/18/2026

Every pin on this map represents more than an acceptance letter for the 2026 fall semester...

Behind each logo is a student who spent months discovering who they are, stretching beyond their comfort zone, refining their story, asking deeper questions about their future, and learning how to present themselves with authenticity and intention.

The real win was never just “getting in.”
It was watching students grow in confidence, clarity, self-awareness, and direction throughout the process.

I’m incredibly proud of the work these students put in and grateful to have guided them through such an important season of life. ✨

No two paths looked the same, and that's what makes this work so meaningful and special to me. Congratulations, class of 2026!!! YOU DID IT!!!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Drew, recipient of the Conscious College Planning Scholarship through the Crystal Lake Chamber Foundation!

Drew stood out for his genuine character, determination to pursue his goals, and commitment to serving others with humility and heart. I was especially inspired by his strong Speech Team accolades and the meaningful way he used his dual-language abilities while volunteering at the local food pantry, helping shoppers feel welcomed and treated with dignity.

Wishing you a vibrant college journey filled with growth, opportunity, and continued success, Drew!

05/13/2026

Your teenager isn’t “lazy”…they might just be in the wrong environment. 👀 I loved this conversation on the Edison Podcast about strengths, college, and helping students actually thrive: https://open.spotify.com/episode/66anCJPJBTMMAzhsJUWrTM

The EdisonOS Podcast · Episode

04/25/2026

Making dreams come true for D155 students, one scholarship at a time! Crystal Lake Chamber Foundation 💎💚

Need help finding and applying for scholarships, give me a call!