Most students struggle their first year in college.

Harlan Cohen will coach you and your family through all the changes ahead. You'll get direct access to Harlan and his 25 years of expertise helping students thrive.

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The Struggle is Real. Be Ready.

Learn how to save time, money, and emotional energy.

  • 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.

  • 50.8% of College students reported feeling LONELY over the past 12 months

  • 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.

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

America's #1 College Success Coach Is In Your Corner

Harlan Cohen is the bestselling author of 7 books. His titles have over 1 million copies in print. He is also a speaker who has presented at over 500 high schools and college campuses and hosts The Harlan Cohen podcast. He has over 1 million followers across social media.


For over 25 years, Harlan has helped millions of students and parents successfully prepare, plan for, and navigate life during the college years and beyond.

>  Al Roker and Harlan Discuss Tips for College Parents

HOW IT WORKS

LIVE  Coaching with Harlan 
Weekly (Aug-Dec).  Bi-Weekly (Jan-July). 

LIVE group coaching covers all the important issues. Each session includes live Q & A and direct access to Harlan. Topics include:

  • Making friends
  • Academic success
  • Study skills 
  • Time management
  • Paying for college
  • Roommates
  • Relationships
  • Homesickness
  • Mental health
  • Staying safe on campus
  • Leadership
  • Jobs and internships
  • And so much more


All coaching sessions are recorded and available 24/7 in the Best First Year portal.

Best First Year includes:

COACHING, MONTHLY SPECIAL EVENTS, AND VIDEO LESSONS

    1. Class of 2024 New Members

    2. December Program REPLAY: 13 Mistakes High School Students Make When Choosing a College

    3. (January 17 REPLAY) CLASS OF 2024 SENIOR & PARENT PROGRAM: GETTING IN. NOT GETTING IN. WHAT TO DO NEXT...

    4. (February 29 REPLAY) CLASS OF 2024 EVENT - Financial Do's and Dont's for High School Grads

    5. (March 28 REPLAY) 5 SIMPLE RULES FOR PARENTS: Help your Student Navigate The Changes Ahead

    6. (April 18th) Committing to a College: Final Checklist & Next Steps

    1. (Jan 9 REPLAY) WIN or LEARN in '24 - Step 1. WANT SOMETHING

    2. (Jan 23 REPLAY) WIN OR LEARN in '24 - Step 2. GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE UNCOMFORTABLE

    3. (Feb 6th REPLAY) WIN OR LEARN in '24 - Step 3. THINK PEOPLE, PLACES, PATIENCE

    4. (Feb 20 REPLAY) WIN OR LEARN in '24 - Step 4: TELL YOUR STORY AS IF IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED

    5. (Mar 5 REPLAY) WIN OR LEARN in '24 - Step 5. CELEBRATE, REFLECT, REPEAT

    6. (Mar 19 REPLAY) WIN OR LEARN in '24 - Your LONG-TERM Risk-Taking Experiment

    7. (April 3 REPLAY) TOPIC: FIVE GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK...

    8. (April 16 Replay) TOPIC: 5 Study Methods That Are Proven To Work

    1. (August 15 REPLAY) TOPIC: Setting Expectations, Connecting to Campus, and Roommates

    2. (AUGUST 22 REPLAY) TOPIC: Making New Friends, People, Places, Patience

    3. (AUGUST 29 REPLAY) TOPIC: Staying Safe on Campus (Alcohol, Drugs, Consent, and other taboo topics)

    4. (September 5 REPLAY) TOPIC: Life Inside the Classroom (professors, study resources, time management, getting help)

    5. (September 13 REPLAY) TOPIC: Your Mental Health (homesickness, stress, anxiety, rejection, and navigating change)

    6. (September 19 REPLAY) TOPIC: Finances (making money, managing money, saving money)

    7. (September 26 REPLAY) Dating, Relationships, and Emotional Risk-Taking

    8. (October 4 REPLAY) TOPIC: Academic Check-In: Celebrate your Cs, Ds, and Fs (time to get help)

    9. (October 11 REPLAY) TOPIC: Transferring, Hazing, Not Fitting In and Other Problems

    10. (October 17 REPLAY) TOPIC: Staying on track to graduate in 4 years

    11. (November 1 REPLAY) TOPIC: Office Hours Tricks, Tips, and Questions to Ask Your Professor

    12. (November 7 REPLAY) TOPIC: The Truth About Transferring

    13. (November 14 REPLAY) Home For Holidays (things might be very different)

    14. (November 21 REPLAY) TOPIC: Job Search (looking for a job and internships)

    15. (November 28 REPLAY) Preparing for Final Exams (managing time, planning, study in a group)

    16. (December 12 REPLAY) TOPIC: Home For The Holidays

    17. (December 18 REPLAY) TOPIC: Celebrating Our Wins (a year in review)

    1. WATCH: What is your dream?

    2. DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE: What is your dream?

    3. WATCH: Getting Comfortable

    4. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Getting Comfortable

    5. WATCH: The Big Transition

    6. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Big Transition Worksheet

    7. WATCH: The Three Ps

    8. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Three Ps Worksheet

    9. WATCH: Risk-Taking 101

    10. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Risk-Taking 101

    11. WATCH: Your College Plan

    12. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Your College Plan

    1. WATCH: Making Friends

    2. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Making Friends Worksheet

    3. WATCH: Getting Involved

    4. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Getting Involved Worksheet

    5. WATCH: Go Go Go To Events

    6. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Go Go Go To Events

    7. WATCH: The Fifth Wall

    8. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Fifth Wall Worksheet

    9. WATCH: Homesickness

    10. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Homesickness

    11. WATCH: The Shy Student

    12. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Shy Student Worksheet

    13. WATCH: About Your Parents

    14. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: About Your Parents Worksheet

    15. WATCH: Commuting Commuters

    16. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Commuting Commuters Worksheet

    1. WATCH: Residence Halls

    2. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Residence Halls Worksheet

    3. WATCH: Roommates: The Rules

    4. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Roommates: The Rules Worksheet

    5. WATCH: Roommates From Hell

    6. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Roommates From Hell Worksheet

    7. WATCH: Living with a Good Friend

    8. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: Living with a Good Friend Worksheet

    9. WATCH: The Partying Roommate

    10. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Partying Roommate Worksheet

    11. WATCH: The Klepto Roommate

    12. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Klepto Roommate Worksheet

    13. WATCH: The Stinky Roommate

    14. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Stinky Roommate Worksheet

    15. WATCH: The Depressed Roommate

    16. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Depressed Roommate Worksheet

    17. WATCH: The Moving Out Roommate

    18. DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE: The Moving Out Roommate Worksheet

Get Instant Access

  • $297.00
  • 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

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

  • Live Coaching

    Harlan will help you each week (Aug-Dec) to navigate the first several months in college. Have a question? Harlan is 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 Harlan's LIVE events, recordings, coaching sessions, video lessons and activities. Use what you need when you need it.

  • BONUS: Class of 2024 Special Events

    Each month (Jan-July), Harlan hosts special events for The Class of 2024 students and families. Your Best First Year Membership gives you access to all live events and 24/7 replays to all the events.

Class of 2024 Special Events

Harlan hosts monthly programs for Best First Year students and families January-July. Can't be there live? Best First Year Members get access to ALL recordings.

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

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

  • MARCH: 5 Simple Rules for Parents: Help your student navigate the transition to life in college

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

  • MAY: 17 Things You NEED to Do Before Going to College (for students and parents)

  • JUNE: Roommate Rules | Living on Campus | Mental Health Transition Plan

  • JULY: Academic Success: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies to Be Successful in College

"Harlan's Advice Saved Me..."

“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

FAQs

  • Does Harlan host every session?

    Absolutely! Harlan is committed to guiding you throughout this entire journey. He hosts weekly sessions in the fall and bi-weekly sessions in the spring. 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?

    Now is the best time. Sign up during your senior year, the summer before college, or after college begins. Second-semester seniors can use the program to better prepare, plan, and navigate all the changes ahead. Current students can use the program to address ongoing challenges. Parents can sign up at any time to gain a baseline understanding of what is normal and what to expect during the college years.

  • 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, not at all. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you like. Use BEST FIRST YEAR to ask Harlan your questions as they arise. 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.

  • Do members get access to all the coaching sessions and special events?

    Yes. As a member, you get access to all coaching sessions and 24/7 access to all recorded events. You also get access to Harlan’s College Success video library and worksheets if you want to delve deeper into college success.

  • 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.

Payment Details:

Includes LIVE group Q&A coaching sessions with Harlan Cohen. ACCESS-FOR-ALL GUARANTEE. If cost is an issue, email [email protected] and let us know what you can handle.

  • $297.00

    Access for parent(s) and student through 5/1/25. 30 day money-back guarantee. Institutional pricing available.

    Sign up now

OVER 100+ MILLION VIEWS

Over 1M+ Followers | 625K+ followers on TikTok | 500K+ followers on Instagram

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Harlan has been featured in:

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ONE-ON-ONE COACHING

Harlan offers 1:1 coaching for students and families. Space is limited. Best First Year Members get priority.

Learn More

Become a Member

Includes LIVE group Q&A coaching sessions with Harlan Cohen. ACCESS-FOR-ALL GUARANTEE. If cost is an issue, email [email protected] and let us know what you can handle.

  • $297.00

    Access for parent and student through 5/1/25. 30 day money-back guarantee. Institutional pricing available.

    Get started now