Whether you are experiencing challenges with your learning and studying or just want to perform better in college, academic success coaching can help. Through one-on-one coaching, you will develop your academic practices and confidence in using a range of strategies and techniques to reach your full potential.
Academic Coaching FAQs
What is academic success coaching?
Academic success coaching is a one-on-one partnership between a student and a coach. Through a structured dialogue tailored to the student's needs, strengths, and goals, coaching provides students with a space to enhance their academic practices and confidence as learners (self-efficacy) to maximize their success in college and beyond.
All students can benefit from academic coaching, not just those who are struggling or underperforming in their studies. Academic success coaching promotes academic and personal growth, regardless of the level they are currently working at.
What can an academic coach support me with?
An academic coach can support you with many aspects of your studying and learning in college, including:
- Adjustment to college
- Goal setting and planning
- Making the most of classes
- Motivation
- Procrastination
- Project planning
- Reading and note-taking
- Study strategies
- Test preparation and test-taking
- Time management and organization
Coaches recognize that all students are unique, and oftentimes, there are overlaps in the challenges that students are experiencing. Thus, academic coaches will help you connect various aspects of your learning to increase your academic performance.
What does an academic coach not do?
- We don't do your work for you.
- We don't offer tutoring or subject-specific advice. Please schedule a tutoring session via the peer tutoring community on Penji.
- We don't do all the talking but encourage students to be active participants in the coaching session.
- We don't advise on what grades you will receive.
- We don't take responsibility for the grades you receive.
- We don't advise on your current or future class schedule. Your Academic Advisor will be happy to assist you.
Who are the academic coaches?
We are pleased to offer both professional and peer academic success coaching.
Dr. Adam Scales, Assistant Director of Academic Resources, offers one-on-one professional coaching for academic and personal success.
We also have a team of highly trained peer academic coaches excited to support your academic and personal growth. As current undergraduate students, our peer academic coaches can relate to your experiences of studying and learning at W&L.
Both professional and peer coaching can be scheduled through Penji.
How can I meet with an academic coach?
Please access the Penji platform or download the Penji app. Once you have accessed Penji, you will see the academic success coaching community.
From here, you will be able to select the topic with which you would like support, followed by a date, time, and meeting location for your session. Once your session is confirmed, you will receive an email confirmation from Penji with the details. Please save the meeting invite so you are reminded of your coaching session.
How can I prepare for my coaching session?
Before your coaching session, consider specific areas of your studying and/or learning you would like support with. You are also encouraged to prepare a list of questions and topics you'd like to address with your academic coach to bring to the session.
You will see a chatroom feature on Penji, and you are encouraged to use this to chat with your academic coach before the session if you have questions.
How can I make the most of my academic coaching session?
During the session, we encourage you to be open about your experiences and ask specific questions to maximize your time with an academic coach. We also encourage students to take notes during the session, as these will be helpful when applying strategies to your studying and learning in the future.
How many sessions will I need with an academic coach?
Some students benefit from a one-off coaching session and feel empowered to move forward independently. Other students attend coaching throughout a semester, year, or longer. You will have an opportunity to plan a coaching schedule with your academic coach during the first session.
How can I apply to be a peer academic coach?
Most of our peer academic coaches also serve as peer tutors. When applying to be a peer tutor, you can express an interest in serving in a dual role as a peer academic coach.
Please contact Dr. Adam Scales (ascales@wlu.edu) with any questions about this position.
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