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721. WHEN ACADEMIC PRESSURE TURNS INTO BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

721. WHEN ACADEMIC PRESSURE TURNS INTO BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

Author: Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin April 14, 2026 Duration: 28:05
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
EducationCourses

Pressure is a privilege, according to Billie Jean King, who said it's what you do with it that matters. Millions of students, however, may beg to disagree about the privilege part, and what many of them do with it impedes rather than elevates their performance. Amy and Mike invited ed tech specialist Deanna Oliver to explore what happens when academic pressure turns into behavioral issues.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

  1. How does academic pressure typically show up in schools?

  2. Why do some students "act out" while others withdraw or disengage?

  3. What are the most common warning signs that adults miss until the situation escalates?

  4. What does a healthy system of school-based support look like?

  5. If a parent could implement just a few changes at home, what would make the biggest difference?

MEET OUR GUEST

Deanna Oliver is the CEO & Co-Founder of Psyflo, an AI-powered youth mental health platform that helps schools shift from reactive crisis response to proactive, early support. With a background in public health and health technology, she focuses on practical systems that fit real school constraints—supporting student wellbeing through scalable check-ins, skill-building, and clear safety workflows that reduce burden on counselors and educators.

Deanna can be reached at deanna@psyflo.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannaoliver/.

LINKS

Feelwell

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) | CDC

Calling All Perfectionists: This Advice Just Might Heal You

Expectation overload

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and the founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.

 


Navigating the complex world of college admissions can feel like a maze with ever-shifting walls. Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast, hosted by Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin, serves as a reliable guide through that maze. Instead of generic advice, their conversations delve into the nuanced realities of testing, admissions strategies, learning differences, and broader educational trends. They bring in leading experts to provide depth and clarity on the issues that matter most right now. Whether you're a parent trying to support your student, a counselor shaping guidance, or an educator within the system, this podcast offers substantive discussion that goes beyond the surface. Each episode aims to demystify the process, offering practical insights and thoughtful analysis. You'll hear honest talk about standardized tests, application essays, financial aid, and the many factors that shape decisions on both sides of the admissions desk. For anyone invested in understanding the journey to higher education-from students to consultants-this is a vital resource. Tune in for a consistently informative and straightforward take on an industry that affects so many futures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
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