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The Clocks Changed... but the College Process Keeps Moving

The Clocks Changed... but the College Process Keeps Moving

Longer days bring new opportunities: camps, college insights, and a story that reminds us why horses matter.

Randi Heathman
March 12, 2026

Well, we did it.

The clocks have officially sprung forward, which means we’ve lost an hour of sleep but gained that glorious stretch of evening daylight that always brings a shift in energy. Horse shows start popping up on the calendar up north again, campus visits pick up steam, and families begin to feel the not-so-subtle realization that the college process keeps moving, whether we’re ready for it or not.

And of course, spring break is right around the corner too.

For many students, this is the moment when college moves from theory to reality. Campuses fill with visiting families, admission offices put out the welcome mats, and juniors stroll the quads imagining themselves there next year. If you’re heading out on visits soon, enjoy the process. It’s one of the rare moments in the college journey that feels exciting rather than stressful.

Spring also brings new opportunities onto the radar, which is why I’ve included a few additional camp and program dates in this month’s newsletter. You’ll also find several recent articles from around the higher-education world that caught my attention and should be on your radar. As always, my goal in sharing these is simple: good decisions come from good information. The more families understand about the evolving college landscape, the better positioned they are to navigate it thoughtfully.

Finally, I’m especially excited to share an inspiring video from BridgeUP, GiddyUP, an organization doing extraordinary work by introducing young people in Memphis to the world of horses through classical horsemanship, academic support, and community building. Their mission beautifully illustrates something I believe deeply: horses have an uncanny ability to open doors in our lives.

The video also ties directly into the upcoming ECA Live conversation I’ll be hosting on Facebook on March 30 where we’ll talk more about the program, the film, and the remarkable impact it’s having on students and families.

So pour another cup of coffee if the time change is still catching up with you (no judgment here), take a few minutes to browse through this month’s updates, and as always, reach out if you have questions along the way.

Latest Event Information

Contact directly for information/to register.

Registration details coming soon. Stay tuned to the University of Tennessee-Martin Facebook and Instagram accounts so you don’t miss the chance to experience the Skyhawk equestrian program this Spring!

It’s that time of year again - IEA riders, take your questions to St. Louis and get them answered!

In the News

Students Report Positive College Experiences Despite Declining Public Confidence, Gallup-Lumina Study Finds

What You Need to Know After College Decisions Arrive

^{Public confidence in American higher education has fallen dramatically over the past decade, dropping from 57% in 2015 to just 36% in 2024, according to a new report from Gallup and Lumina Foundation.}^{But the students and graduates living that experience tell a strikingly different story.}

^{Read the full article here.}

^{For all the seniors we work with, it is that time of year. They have finally finished all their applications and are now refreshing their portals as decisions come in. Most students receive a mix of exciting and disappointing news, and it can be a lot to process after all the time, energy, and effort they put in. So, what should seniors be doing now?}

^{Read the full article on Substack.}

Florida bill would cap out-of-state enrollment at top public universities

When Kevin Kendrick’s nephew didn’t get accepted to UF, he decided to attend Santa Fe College instead, with the goal of eventually transferring. What his family didn’t do, Kendrick said, was “b---- and complain.”

But parent complaints are exactly what Kendrick thinks are driving an ongoing legislative push to increase the share of seats at Florida public universities reserved for in-state students.

A bill, which passed its final Florida House committee Feb. 26, would require at least 95% of new full-time, first-time college students enrolled at each of Florida’s four preeminent state research schools — including UF — to be Florida residents starting in 2030, based on an average across three years. The bill’s next step is a full floor vote in the House. Read More

Future Proof Riders

If you haven’t met the riders of BridgeUp, GiddyUp yet, now’s your chance! Watch their story here and then join me on Monday, March 30 when I speak with founder McKrell Baier LIVE on Facebook at 7:00 pm EDT.