Transitioning from high school to first year in college? Bouncing back from academic probation?  Wrestling with time management and prioritizing?

Here is where an academic coach enters the scene. Working with an academic coach is like working with a physical trainer at the gym. You set a goal, develop a step-by-step plan, then meet consistently to stay on track. As an academic coach I work with my students at the beginning of the semester  to establish goals, create a plan and then implement.

Goal setting is the “why” we’re doing what we’re doing and “why” we keep on going. Everyone in life must find the intersection of “why” and “what.”  The plan is the “what.”  As a coach I help my students take the “what” and match it with the “when.”

I ask my students to do three things during the first or second week of the semester.

1.       Print the syllabus for each class  The syllabus will become your new best friend forever.
2.       Buy a folder with pockets for each course
3.       Buy a physical calendar.

The syllabus is key to understanding what is expected of you by the professor. You will be referring the syllabus several times during the  semester.

The folder with pockets is a simple organization tool. Keep the syllabus in the folder. Carry these folders in your backpack. The pockets make it easy to “stuff” any papers pertaining to that class. Make sure every paper has a home. Some courses generate more papers than others. If your course requires that you keep up with a lot of handouts then you might need a skinny 2-ring notebook. ( 1-inch  or 1 and  1/2 inch).

A physical calendar is useful because it helps you “see” time.