How Coaching Can Help
Coaching is new. In fact, when most people hear the word “coach,” they often think of an athletic coach. In many ways, though, this is a helpful starting point. An athletic coach guides players, supports them in their training, and helps with the athletes’ growth. They also support the players from the sideline, acting as cheerleaders.
Academic coaching isn’t too different. Like an athletic coach, an academic coach guides students in their academic training. We don’t tell you what to do but partner with you to help you reach your goals. We also cheer you on (sometimes literally) as you make progress toward your goals.
In coaching, students decide what is most important to discuss in our conversation. Coaching is sometimes called a “structured conversation.” It’s different from the kinds of conversations you might have with a family member or a friend, though. Academic coaches don’t usually share their opinions or tell you exactly what to do. We do ask questions, though, and offer strategies that help bring out the best in you. These strategies might be related to time management, note-taking, test preparation, making the most of classes, study techniques, and more.
I believe that students are already doing many things right, even if they don’t always realize them. However, we could sometimes benefit from a coach to help clarify our thoughts and find solutions to challenges we couldn’t discover alone. Some people even refer to a coach as a thought partner—somebody to help you explore, find direction, and create plans for moving forward.
When I ask my students about the benefits of academic coaching, one word is often mentioned: accountability. Accountability refers to somebody helping to hold you responsible for the goals and plans you create. It can be hard to do this alone – life gets in the way, and our priorities often change. As an academic coach, I don’t punish students who fail to follow through. I try to understand what happened and whether we should create a different path forward. That’s how a coach is different from a teacher or a parent. We aren’t here to discipline you, but stay curious about your plans and find the best path together.
Coaching is unique because it challenges the hierarchy so often present in education. What does this mean, exactly? Well, teachers and professors have a certain amount of power over students. They set the tone of the classroom and the agenda for what is to be learned. Coaches work with students; we are equals. We want to know where you are now, where you hope to go, and how you plan to get there. I will then use this information to structure sessions to help you achieve your academic goals.
Coaching isn’t just new, but it’s also a radical transformation in how we’ve traditionally worked with students. Students know so much about themselves: their strengths, goals, dreams, challenges, interests, and plans. It’s our job, as coaches, to use this information to create the best path forward to help you unleash your full potential.
I’m happy to be a part of your journey.
