Have you been wondering what type of academic support your student needs in Elk Grove, CA?
COLLEGE
ACADEMIC COACHING
Our college academic coaching program focuses on supporting students through organization, time management, goal setting and accountability.
COLLEGE
TUTORING
Has your student found themselves on academic probation or falling behind in their college coursework? Our expert educators can help!
HIGH SCHOOL
ACADEMIC COACHING
Our high school academic coaches teach students how to organize, prioritize and utilize effective study, note and test taking strategies.
HIGH SCHOOL
TUTORING
If your high school student is stressed with their demanding course load or needs help getting back on top of a challenging subject, give us a call.
1. Are they in a transition year?
If this is the year before they make a big transition to high school or college, consider an academic coach. Putting a coach in place before they make the move is a great gift that will set them up for success before they even start! The coach can act as a “on stop shop” resource who will answer all their questions about what to expect, while getting them prepared to take on the new challenges that await them. Particularly helpful for higher-stress students who are always focusing on the “What ifs”, a coach can help calm their nerves and help draw their attention to what they can do now to prepare for the next step.
2. Do they have trouble with a certain subject or two?
If they are pretty organized and do well overall but have one or two subjects that just really give them difficulties, an academic tutor is a good resource. A tutor from Academic Coaching Specialists will be able to discover what your student finds frustrating or challenging about the subject and employ strategies and offer tools that can relieve that stress and improve their grades. Our tutors will also explore test taking techniques that can further help build confidence and their GPA!
3. Are they a chronic procrastinator?
Students who wait until the last minute to complete assignments are never (we repeat NEVER!) able to do their best work. A lot of students fool themselves into believing that they just work well under pressure or need the deadline to be imminent in order for them to find the motivation. An academic coach can show them how to break this cycle and to really see what they are capable of when they manage their time and work incrementally on a project or paper. No more cramming, excuses or extensions! An academic coach can help them create new habits that will transform the way they approach school from here on out!
4. Did they used to get good grades but recently saw a change?
Perhaps they have always gotten good grades with little to no effort in the past. Now, however, things are different, and they find themselves faced with a teacher or professor who has much different expectations. This can be a turning point for some where they decide the effort is not worth it. Of course, this is the opposite of what is true and needed and where the help of an academic coach should be introduced. Just because they didn’t have to work hard in the past doesn’t mean they get to continue on that path. As a matter of fact, this is a critical stage that shows they are ready to move on to a more challenging season. Having a coach along to guide and motivate them through it is a definite life saver!
5. Do they have an IEP in high school or use any accommodations in college?
For students who are on an individualized learning plan or who utilize accommodations in college, a combination of options should be considered. While tutors are beneficial to help them complete homework and papers, understand challenging concepts and otherwise difficult material, a coach can make sure they are keeping track of their time, turning things in and breaking up large assignments into manageable pieces. A coach can also recommend other resources that can be of use such as career services and academic counselors. Because coaches work so closely with students they tend to get “the whole picture” of what they need help with and at what times. This puts them in the perfect position to offer additional resources and can work together with them to wrap the support all the way around. This provides consistent messaging to the student which helps to increase their confidence and affirm their direction.
6. Do they seem to lack motivation?
If you find yourself constantly asking about assignments and whether or not they were completed, it is likely putting a strain on your relationship with your son or daughter. At this point in their development, they are trying to establish more independence. They also are burdened by the expectation (often self-imposed) that they should “just know” how to do everything at this point. They can easily become overwhelmed and appear to “shut down” and appear as if they do not care. Of the many, many things that are thrown at them over the course of a semester, they forget that this is new territory and that sometimes you need help. An academic coach can be there to remind them of this, and act as a third party who can be an intermediary. They will lead them through each assignment, breaking it into chunks that can be completed in short bursts. They will provide feedback, motivation and encouragement every step of the way. You can be their cheerleader again, instead of their manager!
NJ D.
” The program has geared me up for success not only in the classroom but also in life. Having a dedicated plan day in and day out has helped me achieve so much. With the help and guidance from ACS, I was able to graduate college (which I never thought could happen) and have helped me land my dream job right out of college! Thank you ACS!! “
Joe D.
” I was able to improve my test scores, improve my overall grades and even make dean’s list. I also gained a new mentor, coach, and friend. I am using the skills I learned through ACS daily in my career such as planning, focusing, and prioritizing my tasks each day. “
Carolina B.
” I struggle with time management and I have learned that I need accountability to finish and reach my goals. Having someone who cares about my success, offering tools and strategies to get there, has been crucial for my professional and personal development. I am so grateful for this support from ACS in this journey. “