Building Habits that Lead to Success: Organization, Study Skills Help, and Better Time Management

Academic coaching is a unique form of tutoring for struggling students. Middle school and beyond is a huge challenge for some students, not because the content is too challenging, but because they lack the skills that effective students have naturally mastered.

Our academic coaches help to develop the academic skills needed for a more successful school experience. Unlike a study skills workshop or study skills class, they work with students in the context of their current workload -- daily homework, longer term written assignments, and tests-using a collaborative, problem solving process, to develop the specific habits required by each individual student, including:

• Time management and planning
• Recording assignments and keeping a calendar
• Organization at home and in school
• General study skills and strategies
• Outlining and note -- taking techniques
• Test -- taking strategies for improving performance
• Goal setting

The key is helping students understand the source of their current problem. Once students start to recognize their own behaviors, which -- given the developmental limitations of a young person -- is no small trick, they can begin to change the habits that impede school success.

Is Academic Coaching Right for My Child?

Some students are not realizing their potential in school. In our experience, these issues frequently manifest around seventh grade, when schooling becomes more of an independent process. By high school, struggling students start to experience the repercussions of serious disorganization and poor time management. Once a student starts falling behind and grades slip, there's an instinct to give up.

Through one-on-one skills mentoring, they gain hands-on practice being more effective students. This can have a profound effect on confidence, motivation, and achievement.

Help for failing students, Less stress for families

Many parents find that coaching helps to defuse stress between parent and child. Students seem to be less threatened and more amenable to taking direction from a coach than from a parental authority. A coach can also implement structure when needed, that many parents find difficult to establish with a resistant and disorganized child.

Success Story: Josh F., 9th grade

Josh's mom called us as so many parents do, completely exasperated with her 9th grade son. Mrs. F. clearly did not want to be cast in the role of "school police"; but her son was struggling on his own and resistant to the slightest parental suggestion. His backpack was a jumble of crumpled papers, his report card riddled with poor grades due to late and missed assignments. Mom and son were fighting all the time, and getting nowhere.

Billy, a seasoned teacher and academic coach, worked with Josh each week to approach deadlines more effectively, and clarify and achieve long term goals. Using a collaborative, problem solving approach, Billy became a mentor, helping Josh to anticipate his work, follow through, and learn what works. It didn't happen overnight, but gradually Josh became motivated by his successes, and in turn more open to constructive suggestions. By 11th grade, he was managing his workload independently, with a significant improvement in self esteem, and far more peace at home. Josh was open to Billy's suggestions in a way he could never have been when they came from his parents.

Part mentor, part coach, Billy helped Josh establish new habits, so he could be more successful in achieving his academic and personal goals.