Academic coaching helps students transition well as college freshman
Are you ready for college? The dorm design has been selected (or not if you’re a male), you’ve attended orientation, and you cannot wait for all the freedoms of college. But WAIT! How are you going to ensure that you will be successful?
Between only taking three classes a day, developing the fine art of napping, and socializing, academics can take a back seat in the first year. Many students enter into their college experience not expecting to have a massive dip in grades their first year because many of them don’t have a plan before they begin. As a coach, I see lots of students who have a hard time transitioning from the life of a high schooler whose parents kept them on their toes to the complete freedom and independence of a college freshman. High school students often have several safeguards in place so that they don’t miss classes, miss assignments, or fail out. But take away attendance policies, multiple tests given to offset a low score, and test review sessions, leave students without built-in methods that will help them be successful in college. For parents, it is really hard since they are often used to asking their kids about what assignments are due that week, discussing plans ahead of time for sports games, and having up-to-date access to their kid’s grades. Parents are learning how to help their kids launch, but sometimes it feels more like a freefall.
As an academic coach, I help keep students in balance by helping them pick classes before registration, keep updated on their assignments, navigate the academic portal and grade book, and develop a system so they can study AND socialize!
I’d encourage you to reach out if your child fits one or more of the items below:
Struggled with ADHD or another learning disability in high school
Doesn’t enjoy academics
Works hard but never or rarely sees the results he/she desires
Has difficulty self starting and keeping himself/herself on track
Doesn’t advocate well or seek outside help such as tutoring or academic support
During the first year of college, it is important that your child learns to be independent but for some students, they need additional resources to ensure they are successful in this new season. During that first year of college, I will meet weekly (or more often if necessary) with your child in person or via Google Meet. I will help your child
Navigate through assignments, assess where he/she is, help brainstorm next steps
Create a study schedule for the entire semester with specific study times on a daily basis
Look over grades and discuss high and low performances as well as any missing assignments
Develop study and test-taking strategies to see better success
Help draft emails to professors when needed and create a follow-up communication plan
Look over essays and other works to ensure they are ready to be turned in and confirm items are turned in on time
Through this hands-on process, your child will learn proven study skills and life skills needed to become a successful student and future employee. You will no longer have to begin every conversation with “how are you doing?” and fearing what news will or won’t be shared during that call. And waiting until they text you “we need to talk” at the end of the semester is a stress no parent should have to endure! At Simplify Life, I’m here to help you so that you can simply enjoy your college-aged child in this new phase of life and feel assured that I’m helping him/her through the process. For more information, contact me at andrea@simplifyatlanta.com today!
