In this episode of Don't Chuck It Up, college counselor Chuck interviews Mason Campbell, a sophomore at Coe College who pivoted from dreaming of coastal schools and Disney to finding his fit at a small liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mason discusses the realities of being a D3 student-athlete, balancing a biology pre-med major with the rigorous schedule of a starting center on the football team. He highlights the benefits of Coe’s 4-4-1 academic calendar, specifically his upcoming May Term study abroad trip to Europe, and explains how the close-knit community and Supplemental Instruction (SI) helped him transition from a high schooler who never studied to a successful college student. Whether you are navigating the college recruitment process or curious about the pre-med track, Mason’s journey offers essential advice on finding a school where you stay for the people and the relationships with your professors.

In this episode of Don’t Chuck It Up, host Chuck is joined by college success expert Mya Anderson to tackle the often-overlooked "sophomore slump" and provide essential parenting tips for supporting students during their second year of college. The conversation dives deep into student success strategies, emphasizing the importance of shifting mindsets from "not knowing what you don't know" to identifying current knowledge gaps and utilizing academic resources like professor office hours. Aimed at helping families navigate the complexities of higher education with clarity, this episode explores how to foster independence while maintaining a strong family support system to ensure long-term student retention and academic growth. Whether you are a parent of a rising sophomore or an educator, these insights offer a roadmap for moving beyond the first-year transition and into a thriving college experience.

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In this episode of the Don’t Chuck It Up podcast, college counselor Chuck chats with former student Hattie Nesvig about her inspiring journey from a rural high school in Western Montana to becoming a biomedical and mechanical engineering double major at Colorado State University (CSU). Designed for families navigating the college search and application process, this conversation explores how students from small towns can overcome limited local resources by leveraging online learning, dual enrollment, and AP classes to build a competitive academic profile. Hattie shares candid insights on managing a high-stakes engineering degree alongside pre-med requirements, balancing multi-sport athletics with community service, and the unique challenges of applying to top universities while recovering from major surgery. Whether you are a student athlete or a woman in STEM, this episode offers a roadmap for finding the right college fit and maintaining the work ethic needed to succeed at a D1 university.