Why do some highly successful students begin struggling as soon as they reach college?

David Rabiner, Ph.D., a recently retired Duke University professor, psychologist, and former director of Duke’s Academic Advising Center, joins Brandon Slade to explain why academic success in high school does not always translate into college readiness.

They discuss what happens when students lose the structure and accountability built into high school, why high achievers may resist seeking academic support, and how ADHD can affect time management, task initiation, motivation, and long-term planning. David also shares how parents can gradually pull back before college, allowing students to practice independence while the stakes are still relatively low.

The conversation also explores why procrastination is not simply laziness or a lack of willpower—and how consistent external accountability can help students follow through on the goals they already have.

David Rabiner is Research Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. His work has focused extensively on ADHD, attention difficulties, academic performance, and improving the quality of care children with ADHD receive.

Learn about David’s free ADHD Monitoring System and subscribe to his Attention Research Update: helpforadd.com. The system helps families gather regular teacher feedback and monitor how effectively a child’s ADHD treatment is working at school.

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Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:25 - Why High-Achieving Students Struggle in College

06:14 - Helping College Students Manage Their Time

09:14 - Preparing High School Students for Independence

12:00 - Low-Stakes Ways Parents Can Pull Back

15:44 - ADHD and High Achievement

17:33 - Executive Function Challenges Beyond Time Management

20:07 - Why Procrastination Is More Than Willpower

23:15 - David Rabiner’s Free ADHD Monitoring Tool

26:46 - Conclusion

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