Social Lights

Academic Problems and Skills

The New College Version of "The Dog Ate My Homework"

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on December 3, 2025

Personal Perspective: Students are attempting to use mental health excuses to address their academic shortcomings.

Personal Perspective: Students are attempting to use mental health excuses to address their academic shortcomings.

Domestic Violence

The Problem with Objectification

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on October 29, 2025

Thinking about a lesser understood form of violence against women.

Thinking about a lesser understood form of violence against women.

Relationships

25 Things I've Learned About Adulting

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on October 19, 2025

Emotional, social, and relational lessons.

Emotional, social, and relational lessons.

Environment

10 Tips for Adulting

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on October 5, 2025

10 ways creating outer can lead to inner peace.

10 ways creating outer can lead to inner peace.

Sexual Abuse

Healing From Sexual Abuse Through Creativity

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on September 19, 2025

A new book works to untangle the knottiness that is survivorship.

A new book works to untangle the knottiness that is survivorship.

Academic Problems and Skills

Trying to Cultivate Authentic Intelligence in the Age of AI

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on September 18, 2025

College students should have the opportunity to find answers on their own and within themselves. AI hamstrings this process, preying on their fears and insecurities.

College students should have the opportunity to find answers on their own and within themselves. AI hamstrings this process, preying on their fears and insecurities.

Education

What's the Point of College, Anyway?

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on July 29, 2025

A Personal Perspective: A professor reveals the true purpose of college.

A Personal Perspective: A professor reveals the true purpose of college.

Adolescence

What College Students Wish They Could Tell Their Parents

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on July 2, 2025

Students want parents to "give us a room to figure it out, but please be there for us."

Students want parents to "give us a room to figure it out, but please be there for us."

Parenting

Advice for Parents of College Students

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on June 30, 2025

Top 11 do's and don'ts for communicating with your college student.

Top 11 do's and don'ts for communicating with your college student.

Parenting

Learning to Let Go When They Head Off to College

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on May 29, 2025

Parents of college students would do well to step back and encourage independence.

Parents of college students would do well to step back and encourage independence.

Parenting

Advice for Parents of College Bound Students

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on May 27, 2025

Calibrating expectations and expressing support for your college student.

Calibrating expectations and expressing support for your college student.

Career

Heading Into the Home Stretch

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on March 30, 2025

Twelve ways to close out your college career.

Twelve ways to close out your college career.

Education

Why Sociology Is Essential, and Especially Right Now

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on March 11, 2025

The discipline of sociology matters, maybe now more than ever. Here are 21 reasons why an understanding of sociology can benefit everyone.

The discipline of sociology matters, maybe now more than ever. Here are 21 reasons why an understanding of sociology can benefit everyone.

Mating

College Students, Dating Choices, and Parental Perceptions

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on March 4, 2025

8 ways parents can be more open to their children's relationships.

8 ways parents can be more open to their children's relationships.

Education

Advice for a Successful New Semester at College

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on December 29, 2024

The rapport you create with your adviser can serve you well, far beyond graduation.

The rapport you create with your adviser can serve you well, far beyond graduation.

Education

How to Handle a College Major Change

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on November 29, 2024

Here are 7 ways for college students and their parents to discuss choosing or changing majors.

Here are 7 ways for college students and their parents to discuss choosing or changing majors.

Academic Problems and Skills

Jargon-Free Is the Way to Be

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Seven reasons why graduate schools should teach students how to write for national media outlets.

Seven reasons why graduate schools should teach students how to write for national media outlets.

Education

Back to School Can Be Loaded

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on August 15, 2024

Personal Perspective: Now that students share so much of their private lives on social media, it's time to reconsider emotional disclosures in the school setting.

Personal Perspective: Now that students share so much of their private lives on social media, it's time to reconsider emotional disclosures in the school setting.

Friends

Making Decisions That Impact Friendships

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on August 4, 2024

A look at two case studies of choices that affect friendships.

A look at two case studies of choices that affect friendships.

Suicide

Reconsidering How We Talk About Suicide

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Suicide is a war waged against oneself. There are no winners.

Suicide is a war waged against oneself. There are no winners.