An ancient game can help teens prepare for college

What if there were a board game that could help teens develop their cognitive skills, build their confidence, and hone their social skills? Good news! There is, and it’s not chess.

It’s Backgammon, a game as old as time that is still relevant in an age dominated by screens and digital interactions.

In Backgammon, two players use strategy and logic – along with a little bit of luck – to “bear off” all their checkers from the board before their opponent. It’s fun, it’s social and it’s a great way to meet new people. In Backgammon circles, new players of all skill levels are always welcome.

As you can tell, I’m a Backgammon enthusiast from way back, and the game is having a moment, especially among younger people seeking new modes of social connection. In New York and San Diego, Backgammon clubs and game nights are becoming fashionable social activities. Some high schools have started Backgammon clubs as well.

Initially, in 2026, I and some partners are launching eight Backgammon clubs in Chicagoland under the banner of the Chicago Backgammon League. In addition, we will be working with the U.S. Backgammon Federation (USBGF) to recruit educators and high school counselors who know the game to help students prepare for college.

If you have played Backgammon, you are familiar with the appeal and how it can foster critical thinking and social connections. Engaging in real-world activities and problem-solving can also improve a teen’s attention span, something that is often in short supply thanks to the TikTok-ification of our culture.

The program being launched in the Midwest will be offered every Saturday. We are planning to go national next. By providing an engaging, interactive, and mentally stimulating alternative to screen time, this initiative will help teens build the confidence and connection necessary to thrive in a college environment and beyond.

Backgammon has been around for 5,000 years, so it has long-standing appeal and staying power. Teens, whether or not college is in their future, deserve the opportunity to give it a try.

If you are a high school counselor who would like to be part of this unique initiative, get in touch at JackSchacht@ChicagoBackgammonLeague.com. Our organization, along with the USBGF, will also be happy to support the establishment of high school clubs anywhere in the country.

Jack Schacht is a long-time Chicago entrepreneur who helped college-bound students and their families find an affordable path to higher education through his company, My College Planning Team.

Longing for the comforts of home when everything is new and different isn’t surprising, but the depth of homesickness among students on college campuses appears to be rising.

According to Christopher Thurber, a psychologist at Phillips Exeter Academy, a boarding school in Exeter, New Hampshire, “about 20 percent of students entering college say they’re bothered by missing home, and about 5 percent have homesickness so severe that it interferes with their daily lives or causes significant symptoms of anxiety or depression.”

My niece Sara Griffin, who attended Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, says that she found the transitions, heading home and returning to campus, were the hardest for her. And there’s a bunch every fall. First, there’s the big drop-off in late August. Then, in varying order, there’s Parents’ Weekend, where family members come to campus, and then Fall Break, where students traditionally return home. And then it seems, as quickly as the leaves turn, it’s suddenly Thanksgiving and there’s another visit home. After that time off, students return to campus for sometimes as little as two weeks before they head home again for the holiday break. With this many stops-and-starts in a freshman’s routine, it’s understandable why getting adjusted can sometimes be so challenging for so many students.

It’s okay to miss home a little, but it’s not considered very socially acceptable to let it get to you so much that you become depressed or anxious. One of the biggest problems homesick students encounter is admitting that they need help. Resident Assistants (RAs) are trained to identify symptoms and respond with a variety of tools

Suggested strategies for students to battle homesickness:

• Realize that homesickness is natural and everyone feels it to a greater or lesser degree.
• Don’t make any snap decisions to leave; time is the greatest healer.
• Figure out what helps you relax (music, exercise, etc.) and what makes you happy on campus, do more of that.
• Get busy. Focus on the new opportunities, new people, and new surroundings.
• Try not to be alone too often. It’s much harder to be sad, bored, and lonely when you’re with other people.
• Determine what you’re missing from home and see if there’s some way to replace or replicate it on campus. For some students, it’s food; a care package can work wonders.
• Don’t call home too often. It’s better to plan specific times to chat. Many homesick students find Skype or FaceTime more challenging because they can see their parents, siblings, pets, house, etc. Try and keep it to a brief phone call.

The good news, according to Larry Marks, PhD, psychologist at the University of Central Florida Counseling Center, is that “usually the feeling lessens as the first semester goes on. Focusing on classes, making friends, and getting involved in campus activities will help with the transition.”

Lee Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@bierercollegeconsulting.com; www.bierercollegeconsulting.com

Three!!! Swoooosh!” The crowd roared. The game was on the line, and all those hours practicing three-pointers finally paid off. That moment wasn’t just about scoring points. It was about the confidence, discipline, and determination that basketball gave me.

Basketball has always been more than a game for me. It was a pathway to education, leadership, and opportunity. As a basketball player, I worked hard on and off the court, and that dedication paid off. With the guidance of incredible coaches, a former El Paso Parks and Recreation Director,  and a dad who pushed me to be my best, I helped my high school team win a state basketball championship and earned a spot on the Texas All-State team. Those moments weren’t just victories on the court, they led to doors I never imagined would open.

One of the biggest doors opened by basketball was the chance to go to college. My talent and hard work earned me a scholarship, and that scholarship changed the trajectory of my life. It allowed me to be the first in my family to pursue higher education, receive a college degree, and step into leadership roles that shaped who I am today. Basketball gave me confidence.  It was the kind of confidence that carried into the classroom and eventually onto national committees where I now advocate for students.

But none of this would have been possible without Title IX. Before its passage in 1972, opportunities for women athletes were limited, and the idea of receiving a scholarship to play basketball would have been out of reach for so many. Title IX changed that by ensuring that women had equal access to athletic programs and resources. For me, it meant that my time in the gym, my passion for the game, and my leadership on the court were valued and not dismissed because of my gender.

We see the ripple effects of Title IX today. Women’s basketball is drawing record-breaking crowds and television audiences, with players like Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Lonescu, and A’ja Wilson inspiring a new generation. The WNBA’s growth and the visibility of women athletes remind us that progress in women’s sports didn’t happen by accident. It happened because protections like Title IX leveled the playing field.

Today, we cannot take those protections for granted. Title IX isn’t just about athletics. It’s about fairness, access, and the belief that each and every student, regardless of gender, deserves the same chance to succeed. My story is just one example of the doors that open when those protections are enforced.

Action Steps You Can Take:

1. Show Up & Support

• Attend women’s sports games:  whether it’s local high school teams, college matchups, or professional games, NCAA/NAIA games, filling the stands sends a powerful message.
  
• Watch women’s sports broadcasts/streams: higher viewership drives more media coverage and sponsorships.
  

2. Advocate for Equity

• Support Title IX enforcement: stay informed on proposed changes to Title IX, and advocate against rollbacks that could reduce opportunities for women.
  
• Contact legislators to protect and expand funding for girls’ and women’s athletics.
  

3. Invest in Women Athletes

• Buy merchandise & tickets for women’s teams.
  
• Follow women athletes on social media: boosting their visibility.
  

4. Inspire the Next Generation

• Share articles, highlights, and stories that showcase women’s athletic excellence.

• Highlight women athletes as role models in classrooms and community spaces.
  

5. Use Your Voice

• Challenge stereotypes when you hear people downplay women’s sports.
  
• Celebrate achievements of women athletes with the same enthusiasm given to men’s sports.
  

As debates about education and equity continue, we must remember that policies like Title IX don’t just live in history books. They live in the lives of students who, like me, found their way to college and beyond because someone believed women’s opportunities mattered. Protecting Title IX means protecting the next generation of leaders, scholars, and athletes who are ready to step up and say: Together, we can ensure each and every student hears the message I once needed to hear: “¡Sí Se Puede.” Yes we can!

Priscilla Grijalva is a seasoned high school counselor in California. She has 21 years of experience at the middle, high school, and university levels. With a passion for equity, she has served on a national school counseling board, her district equity team, and various national committees to have a voice to support each and every student.  Priscilla has presented at various state and national conferences and has been a main stage speaker at the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Conference, as well as a keynote speaker at the University of Redlands School Counselors of Color Commencement Ceremony. She was honored as a Distinguished Educator by the U.S. Air Force, was named the 2022 National Life Changer of the Year, the 2023 California Woman of the Year, and a 2025 Bezos Educator Scholar.