In this BigFuture Live, you’ll learn why teens become disengaged and how to better support them at home and in school.

Hear from education experts Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop as they break down the different learning modes teens tend to fall into, including resister, passenger, achiever, and explorer, and how each one shapes motivation, stress, and behavior.

You’ll walk away with practical strategies to communicate more effectively, reduce pressure, and help your teen re-engage in a way that works for them.

This video introduces student engagement through a personal story from education researcher Jenny Anderson, co-author (with Rebecca Winthrop) of The Disengaged Teen. Reflecting on her child’s experience during COVID-19, Anderson shows how traditional measures like grades can hide true engagement—revealing that some high-achieving students may actually be disengaged, while others flourish when pressure is removed. The video underscores engagement—curiosity, motivation, and agency—as the foundation of real learning, and highlights how difficult it can be for adults to accurately recognize it.

This video features Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen, introducing the concept of “Resister Mode”—a form of student disengagement where learners push back against school demands. Drawing on research and real-life examples, they explain how resistance is often misunderstood as defiance or laziness, when it can actually signal a mismatch between students’ needs and their learning environment. The video emphasizes that recognizing and addressing Resister Mode is key to re-engaging students by fostering autonomy, relevance, and a stronger sense of purpose in their learning.

This video features Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen, exploring “Passenger Mode”—a form of disengagement where students go through the motions of school without genuine interest or ownership of their learning. They explain how these students often appear compliant and successful on the surface, yet lack curiosity, motivation, and a sense of purpose. The video highlights why Passenger Mode can be difficult for educators and parents to detect, and stresses the importance of cultivating agency and deeper engagement to move students from passive participation to active learning.

This video features Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen, examining “Achiever Mode”—a form of disengagement where students are highly successful by traditional standards but driven primarily by external validation, such as grades and praise. They explain how these students can appear fully engaged while lacking intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. The video highlights the risks of overperformance without purpose and emphasizes the need to help students develop internal motivation, resilience, and a stronger sense of ownership over their learning.

This video features Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen, introducing “Explorer Mode”—the most engaged state of learning, where students are driven by curiosity, purpose, and a desire to understand the world around them. They describe how Explorer Mode reflects deep, intrinsic motivation, with students taking ownership of their learning and embracing challenges as opportunities to grow. The video emphasizes that fostering this mode requires supportive environments that prioritize autonomy, relevance, and meaningful learning over performance alone.

This video features Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop, co-authors of The Disengaged Teen, outlining a healthier approach to supporting student engagement across different learning modes. They emphasize the importance of shifting away from a narrow focus on performance and toward nurturing curiosity, autonomy, and purpose. Drawing on their research, they offer strategies for helping students move out of disengaged states—like Resister, Passenger, and Achiever Modes—into Explorer Mode, where learning is meaningful and self-driven. The video highlights the role of adults in creating environments that foster trust, relevance, and intrinsic motivation.

Teens today are juggling more than ever – schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and their social lives can quickly become overwhelming. In this BigFuture Live session, we focus on practical strategies to help teens build essential time management and organizational skills that set them up for success in high school, college, and beyond.

This BigFuture Live session helps parents and families turn campus tours into meaningful, confidence-building experiences not just quick walk-throughs.

Featuring insights from admission leaders, a college visit expert, and a best-selling author, this event breaks down how to approach college visits with purpose, ask the right questions, and help your teen find the right fit.

In this session, you’ll learn:

How to plan effective college visits before, during, and after you step on campus

What to look for beyond the standard campus tour

The most important questions to ask students, faculty, and admissions staff

How to evaluate “fit” across academics, social life, and campus culture

Tips for making the most of self-guided tours and multiple visits

How to help your teen reflect and make confident decisions

You’ll also hear practical advice on treating visits like “field research,” gathering real insights and capturing gut reactions that can shape your college list and future applications.

College visits are one of the best ways to figure out whether a school is the right fit, but only if you come prepared. This video walks students and families through how to plan meaningful college visits, what to look for on campus, and how to ask the right questions.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to prepare before your campus visit
✅ What to observe during tours, info sessions, and conversations
✅ Questions to ask students, faculty, and admissions staff
✅ How college visits help clarify fit and decision‑making

Make the most of your campus visits and gain confidence in your college choices.

#BigFuture #CollegeVisits #CampusTours #CollegeSearch #CollegePlanning #FindingTheRightCollege #HighSchoolStudents

hinking about AP courses for next year? In this BigFuture Live event, parents get clear, practical guidance on how to help their teens plan an AP path that supports their goals without adding unnecessary pressure.

Our expert panel including AP teachers, a college counselor, and College Board leaders breaks down what AP really is, how colleges view AP coursework, and how to decide what’s “too many” (and what’s just right).

In this session, you’ll learn:

What AP courses are and the wide range of subjects available

How to build an intentional AP plan based on interest, readiness, and balance

How colleges evaluate AP courses and exam scores

The difference between Honors, AP, and dual enrollment

What happens if a student doesn’t take (or doesn’t pass) the AP exam

How AP can support college credit, placement, scholarships, and career exploration

You’ll also hear advice from educators and parents on encouraging challenge, maintaining balance, and helping your teen choose courses that truly fit their strengths and goals.

Whether your family is brand new to AP or refining a multi-year plan, this conversation will leave you better informed and more confident about the road ahead.

Audience: Parent

As a parent, you want to make sure your student is on the best path toward college success. This video explains AP Potential, what it is, how it’s connected to the PSAT/NMSQT, and how it can help you understand whether your student is ready for more rigorous coursework in high school.