As parents of high school seniors, you’ve probably spent years focused on grades, activities, and college admissions. But once your student steps onto a college campus, something far more important determines their success:
Executive functioning.
A 2023 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability —Davidson, Winning, & Hilvert (2023), “Executive Functioning and College Adjustment in Students With and Without Autistic Traits” — explored how executive functioning skills impact students’ adjustment to college life.
While the study included students with and without autistic traits, its findings are highly relevant to all incoming college students.
First: What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning (EF) refers to the brain’s management system. It includes skills like:
- Time management
- Organization
- Planning ahead
- Starting tasks
- Emotional regulation
- Flexible thinking
- Self-monitoring
In high school, many students function well because:
- Parents remind them of deadlines
- Teachers check homework daily
- Schedules are structured
- Consequences are immediate
College removes much of that scaffolding.
What the Study Found
The researchers examined how executive functioning skills related to:
- Academic adjustment
- Social adjustment
- Emotional adjustment
- Overall college success
The key takeaway?
Students with stronger executive functioning skills reported significantly better adjustment to college.
And importantly:
Even students without diagnosed learning differences struggled when executive functioning weaknesses were present.
The study did find that students with higher levels of autistic traits tended to report more executive functioning challenges — which in turn affected adjustment. But the broader message was clear:
Executive functioning skills are foundational for college success across the board.
Why the Transition Is So Challenging
The leap from high school to college includes:
- Managing a syllabus instead of daily reminders
- Balancing freedom with responsibility
- Handling long-term assignments independently
- Regulating sleep, nutrition, and stress
- Navigating new social systems
In other words:
College requires a major upgrade in executive functioning.
Students who appeared “fine” in high school may struggle simply because:
- Structure disappeared
- Expectations shifted
- Support became optional
What This Means for Parents
Here’s the hopeful part:
Executive functioning skills are teachable.
They are not fixed traits.
Just as students can improve math or writing, they can strengthen:
- Planning systems
- Study strategies
- Task initiation skills
- Accountability habits
- Emotional coping strategies
The study reinforces what many college advisors and coaches observe daily:
Success in college is less about intelligence and more about systems.
Signs Your Student May Need Support
Before they leave for college, ask:
- Do they start work independently?
- Do they manage deadlines without reminders?
- Can they plan a multi-step project?
- Do they recover well from setbacks?
- Do they regulate stress effectively?
If not, that doesn’t mean they aren’t ready.
It means they may benefit from structured support during the transition.
The Bigger Message
The research underscores something important:
The transition to college is not just academic. It’s neurological and developmental.
Executive functioning continues maturing into the mid-20s. Expecting 18-year-olds to suddenly operate like fully independent adults is unrealistic.
What helps most is:
- Skill development
- Proactive support
- Normalizing adjustment challenges
- Early intervention when struggles appear
Students who receive guidance early are far more likely to stabilize academically and emotionally.
Final Thought for Parents
If your child struggled with organization, procrastination, or stress in high school — college won’t magically fix that.
But with intentional preparation and support, they can build the skills they need.
This study reminds us:
Executive functioning is not a side issue.
It is central to thriving in college.
And the good news?
It can be strengthened — before and during that critical first year.
