College STEPS BLOG

College Steps provides informative content each month focused on higher education for students, families, educators, and anyone who may benefit from learning more about the transition to college for students with learning and social challenges. You’ll find insights, action steps, supporting research, and resources.

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Transitions are challenging for every student, but for those who are neurodiverse or have learning differences, the leap from high school to college can feel especially overwhelming. From managing new schedules and responsibilities to navigating a complex social world, students are suddenly asked to juggle skills that rely heavily on executive functioning—like prioritizing tasks, staying organized, and adapting to unfamiliar processes. 

Research from CHADD shows that difficulties with executive functioning are one of the most common hurdles for students with ADHD and related learning differences. Without targeted strategies, these barriers can overshadow academic potential and dampen confidence.

That’s where College Steps comes in. Through mentorship and personalized guidance, we help students build the skills and confidence they need to thrive—academically, socially, and personally.

Our peer mentorship program provides one-on-one support with areas like:

• Time management & organization (Learn more from Understood.org)

• Self-advocacy in the classroom (Wrightslaw: College & Disabilities)

• Social engagement & confidence-building (Social Thinking)

• Navigating campus disability services (U.S. Department of Education: Rights for Students with Disabilities)

With the right support, every student can find their footing and develop into independent individuals. Our goal at College Steps is not only to help students succeed in the classroom but to empower them with lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond college. You can read more about how our students are thriving on our Success Stories page or explore the range of Support Services we offer.

Why Mentors Make a Difference

Families and professors play vital roles in a student’s growth, but mentors offer something uniquely powerful — a peer perspective grounded in shared experience. Peer mentors bridge the gap between academic support and real-life understanding, helping students navigate both classroom and campus life with confidence.

Unlike professors or advisors, mentors can relate to the day-to-day challenges students face — from organizing assignments to managing stress, friendships, and self-care. This shared understanding builds trust, confidence, and momentum toward success.

How Mentors Help

• Support in the Classroom

  Mentors may sit alongside students in one course per semester, modeling focus, note-taking, and participation. By demonstrating what engagement looks like in real time, mentors help students strengthen their own academic skills and independence. Learn more about academic coaching and executive functioning support.
  

• Build Social Confidence
  Beyond academics, mentors play an essential role in modeling positive social interactions. Through everyday activities — meals, clubs, study sessions, or casual campus conversations — mentors help students practice communication, develop friendships, and gain comfort in social spaces that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
  Explore additional resources for student well-being and social connection.

• Serve as Role Models
  Mentors are peers who have “been there.” They share first-hand experience of what it means to balance independence with structure — helping mentees reach goals, solve problems, and connect with the natural supports that already exist on campus.

Discover how mentoring supports college readiness and self-advocacy through College Steps.

Research is clear

Studies consistently show that mentorship improves both academic and emotional outcomes for college students. According to research from The Chronicle of Higher Education and the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring, students with consistent peer or faculty mentorship are more likely to:

• Persist through academic challenges

• Report stronger sense of belonging

• Demonstrate improved executive functioning skills

• Graduate on time

In short: mentorship builds confidence, community, and capability — all critical for thriving in college and beyond. You can read more about how our students are thriving on our Success Stories page or explore the range of Support Services we offer.