FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TO CAREER...

Harlan is in your corner! Learn what successful students do and how parents can help. From college search, to selection, to navigating life on campus, you will learn how to save time, money, and emotional energy while reducing stress and increasing success.


Live Coaching | Q&A | Set Up For Success Events | Private Facebook Group

Families are So Focused on Getting In, They Overlook The Most Important Part...

How do you define success? Is it getting in? Is it getting access to certain resources and opportunities? Is internships? Mentors? Grades? A job? Harlan helps you see the whole picture and provides a comprehensive framework to navigate the college search, selection, and transition process. Throughout the journey, he guides and supports you. The end result is not just a best first year—it's a foundation for long-term success.

High School Doesn't Prepare Most Parents and Students For What's Next...

Even the most "college ready" students will face challenges. Best First Year members know what to expect, how to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, and where to find answers. Problems create new opportunities to connect with mentors and build valuable relationships.

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DMs from Parents and Students




Best First Year members learn how to create a social transition plan.


Best First Year members learn how to identify academic resources and get support. 


Best First Year members learn how to work through roommate problems.


Best First Year helps families learn how to be better communicators.


Best First Year helps neurodivergent learners and their parents plan for success and locate resources.

Reduce Stress
Set Realistic Expectations
Plan For Success

College is NEW friends, classes, teachers, food, feelings, bathrooms, roommates, relationships, responsibilities, independence, temptations, fears, obstacles, and unexpected situations. Most parents and students aren't prepared for what happens next. I'll tell you what's coming, how to prepare, and how to get through it.

You will learn how to build connections, create community, set goals, access resources, and find long-term success in college & beyond.

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COLLEGE FACTS & STATS

(Source: ACHA-NCHA Spring 2023 survey and U.S. Department of Education)

  • 64.7% of college students report feeling lonely (source ActiveMinds & TimelyCare survey)

  • 47.8 percent of students reported having ACADEMIC problems or challenges. Of this group, 87 percent said this issue caused them moderate or high distress.

  • 50.3 percent of students reported having FINANCIAL problems or challenges over the past 12 months.

  • 28.2 percent of students reported having ROOMMATE problems or challenges over the past 12 months.

  • Four-year graduation rate for students attending public colleges and universities is 33.3%. The six-year rate is 57.6%. At private colleges and universities, the four-year graduation rate is 52.8%, and 65.4% earn a degree in six years.

BEST FIRST YEAR IS FOR HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE FAMILIES

* FIRST-TIME COLLEGE PARENTS & STUDENTS
* HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS
* NEURODIVERGENT STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS
* INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS
* ANXIOUS STUDENTS & THEIR PARENTS
* STUDENTS & PARENTS WHO WANT TO SAVE MONEY
* STUDENTS & PARENTS WHO WANT TO STAY INFORMED

Join Now

I've been helping parents and students navigate change for over 25 years

I'm a New York Times bestselling author of 7 books. My titles have over 1 million copies in print. I'm a speaker who has presented at over 500 high school and college campuses. I host a podcast and have over 1.5 million followers across social media platforms.

Best First Year includes:

LIVE COACHING, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND COLLEGE SUCCESS VIDEO LIBRARY

    1. Welcome New Members

    2. Stage 1: Before You Apply

    3. Stage 2: After You Apply

    4. Stage 3: Once You Get Accepted

    5. Stage 4: The First Year of College

    6. Stage 5: Internships, Jobs, Grad School

    1. October 8th TOPIC: Managing Time & Academic Success

    2. October 22nd TOPIC: Transferring, Hazing, Bad Roommates, & More

    3. November 5th TOPIC: Internships, Leadership Roles, Part-Time Jobs

    4. November 19th TOPIC: Preparing for Final Exams (managing time, planning, study in a group)

    5. December 17th TOPIC: Being Productive Over Winter Break

    1. REPLAY (9/24/2025) - Professors: Get To Know Them

    2. REPLAY (9/11/2025) - Getting Involved & Staying Safe

    3. REPLAY (8/27/2025) - Setting 1st Year Expectations

    4. REPLAY (8/14/2025) - Creating Your Academic Transition Plan

    5. REPLAY (7/31/2025) - Creating Your Physical Transition Plan Lesson

    6. REPLAY (7/16/2025) - Creating Your Emotional Transition Plan Lesson

    7. REPLAY (7/02/2025) - Creating Your Social Transition Plan

    8. REPLAY (6/18/2025) - Creating Your Financial Transition Plan

    9. REPLAY (6/04/2025) Favorite Clubs and Activities

    10. REPLAY (5/22/2025) - Shopping for College

    11. REPLAY (5/7/2025) - Living on Campus (Roommates, Singles, RAs, and more)

    12. REPLAY (4/24/2025) - May 1st Deadline Final Checklist

    13. REPLAY (4/16/2025) - The BIG 6 Experiences That Lead to College Success

    14. REPLAY (4/2/25) - Coaching: Social media accounts and pages new students and parents should follow

    15. REPLAY (3/20/2025) WIN OR LEARN in '25 - Your LONG-TERM Risk-Taking Experiment

    16. REPLAY (3/5/25) WIN OR LEARN in '25 - Step 5. CELEBRATE, REFLECT, REPEAT

    17. REPLAY (2/19/25) WIN OR LEARN in '25 - Step 4: TELL YOUR STORY AS IF IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED

    18. REPLAY (2/4/25) WIN OR LEARN in '25 - Step 3. THINK PEOPLE, PLACES, PATIENCE

    19. REPLAY (1/22/25) WIN OR LEARN in '25 - Step 2. GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE UNCOMFORTABLE

    20. REPLAY (1/8/25) WIN or LEARN in '25 - Step 1. WANT SOMETHING

    1. 13 Mistakes High School Students Make When Building Their College List

    2. 17 Things You Need to Do Your First Semester in College

    3. WTF Did My College Freshman Just Text Me?

    4. 17 Things You Need to Do The Summer Before College

    5. 15 Things Parents of Soon-To-Be College Students Should NEVER Do

    6. Admitted, Committed, or Waitlisted: What Parents and Students NEED To Do Next (REPLAY)

    7. 7 Money Must Do's for Parents and Students

    1. Join Private Facebook group

    1. Dr. Lisa Damour Talks Teens, Phones, College, Parenting, Rapid Fire Q&A

    2. Jennifer Wallace on Toxic Achievement, College Success, & Mattering

    3. Elizabeth C. Hamblet (Tips for students with disabilities)

    4. Jeffrey Moss, CEO of Parker Dewey, Micro-Internships and Career Exploration

    5. Dr. Jill Grimes Gives Advice on Mental Health, Drugs, and Alcohol

    6. John Pryor: The data behind understanding college success and happiness

    7. Hacking College with Ned Laff and Scott Carlson

Get Instant Access

  • Based on the #1 Bestselling Book on College Life
  • 32+ LIVE Coaching Sessions and 24/7 Access to ALL Special Event Replays
  • Access to Harlan's College Success video library (50+ videos) and student success tools & resources

"Harlan's Advice Saved Me..."

“As a parent who once grappled with the daunting task of helping my neurodiverse daughter settle into her new college environment, I can't express enough the relief I felt when I discovered "Best First Year in College." ”

Parent of Freshman

“I am a freshman at the University of Rhode Island. I have had a very tough time while adjusting to college and pretty much every bad thing was thrown my way. I was not even planning on returning next semester. Obviously since I was having such a hard time that meant my mom was too. She has found so much comfort in your videos. She sends me at least 2 a day and even sends them to my therapist! She has gotten our whole family on your videos! Your videos have also been so helpful for me too! I am happy to say that I am doing much better and am going to go back to school for the Spring semester.”

College Freshman

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

  • Live Coaching

    I'm hosting live coaching every 2 weeks. Have a question? I'm here to help. Attend whenever you need help. Access all the recordings and materials.

  • Family & Student Access

    Each membership includes access for two family members. Take advantage of my live events, recordings, coaching sessions, video lessons and activities.

  • Access to Special Event Replays

    Your Best First Year Membership gives you 24/7 on-demand replays of all Special Events. No need to watch live or worry about missing a replay. You get unlimited access.

Special Events

Get 24/7 On-Demand Access to ALL Special Event Replays:

  • Getting in. Not getting in. Getting waitlisted, deferred, and other outcomes

  • 7 Money Must Dos for High School Grads and Their Parents

  • Committing to College Checklist. Make sure you check all the right boxes

  • 15 Things Parents of Soon-To-Be College Students Should NEVER Do

  • 17 Things You NEED to Do The Summer Before College (for students and parents)

  • 7 Mistakes High School Student Make When Choosing a College

  • 5 Simple Rules for College Parents (how to be the best partner during the college years)

  • 17 Things You NEED to Your First Semester In College (students & parents)

Payment Details:

Membership includes access for 2 email addresses. 30 day money-back guarantee. Institutional pricing available. Access-For-All Guarantee: If cost is an issue, email [email protected] and let us know what you can handle.

Over 1.5 Million Followers Across Social Media

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FAQs

  • Does Harlan REALLY host every coaching session?

    Yes! Harlan is committed to guiding you throughout this entire journey.Additionally, he will be hosting six special programs that cover the most crucial topics you need to understand.

  • When is the best time to sign up for BEST FIRST YEAR?

    Sign up Year-Round. Second-semester seniors and parents can use the program to better prepare, plan, and navigate all the changes ahead. Current college students and parents can use the program to address ongoing challenges.

  • Is BEST FIRST YEAR more beneficial for students or parents?

    BEST FIRST YEAR is equally beneficial for both students and parents. Parents and students can join and participate on their own. Some members participate as a family, using the topics as a springboard for engaging conversations.

  • Do I need to attend all group coaching sessions?

    No. In fact, Harlan doesn't expect you t attend all sessions. Use BEST FIRST YEAR to ask Harlan your questions as they come up. You can also watch previous coaching sessions when relevant issues come up. Remember, Harlan is there for you when you need him.

  • Will people see me if I participate in a group coaching session?

    Harlan hosts each group coaching session as a webinar, so no cameras are turned on. Students and parents can ask questions anonymously. Participants can support one another in the chat if they choose to contribute.

  • Does membership include access for the student and the parent?

    Yes. Once you sign up, a member of Harlan's team will reach out to register your second email address. If you have multiple students in college, send us a message. We'll do our best to ensure all students gain access.

  • Can I give BEST FIRST YEAR as a gift?

    YES! You can give BEST FIRST YEAR as a gift. Just check the gift option at checkout and and follow the prompts.

  • What if the cost is too high for me?

    Harlan offers an access-for-all guarantee. Let us know what you can afford, and we will do whatever we can to make this work for you. We NEVER want the cost to prevent you from getting the information you need.

  • How long do I get access to Best First Year?

    A Best First Year membership gives you 1-year access to Best First Year. Occasionally, Harlan will share special offers that will include a longer membership period.

Harlan has been featured in:

CNN
The Washington Post
TODAY

WHEN TO JOIN BEST FIRST YEAR:

1) JOIN BEFORE APPLYING: Rethink college search using transition as your guide, define what you want, build/revise a list, plan visits, know the right questions to ask, reduce stress, take back the power, apply with confidence.

2) JOIN AFTER APPLYING: Use the 5 transitions (Social, Emotional, Physical, Financial, Academic) to confirm best fit, apply strategies for discounts, ask targeted questions, identify specific resources based your goals, connect with departments, investigate graduation rates, connect with career center, choose the best school with confidence.

3) JOIN AFTER MAKING DECISION: Put together transition plan using the five big transitions (Social, Emotional, Physical, Financial, Academic), set expectations, try to get more money, build a support system, set yourself up for research opportunities, internships, and jobs, work through unexpected challenges in real-time.

Join today