Many parents are worried their child may not be ready for the challenges of high school or college. Are you among those parent that are seeing a lack of organization and follow-through in your child? Perhaps they are a chronic procrastinator? Or maybe they just seem to struggle with change; the smallest thing can derail them.
At Academic Coaching Specialists, our individualized services are designed to help motivate students and keep them accountable with our academic coaching and tutoring in Alamo Heights, TX.
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.
There are so many things we have had to endure due to the pandemic. Here are 6 Skills Your Student Can Improve by Working with an Academic Coach in Alamo Heights, TX.
1. Keeping track of grades.
Have them keep track in the front of a notebook or in their planner. They can go back through their planner to create a list of all assignments they had been given, as well as the grade they received when they got it back. This will allow them to see the percentage of ungraded items they are awaiting, and they can then estimate how they think they have done on them. Have them compare this to what is showing in their online system and ask the teacher about any discrepancies. Together, the coach and student can ensure there are no more surprises when it comes to grades!
2. Anti-procrastination techniques.
High school and college students in general have a very difficult time with procrastination. If it can be put off, it is. Working with a coach this semester can give them a whole new perspective on this subject. One small thing they can start with is the 10 minute rule. Basically, if the task will take 10 minutes or less they complete it right then. Building on this, they break up larger tasks and assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks and then plan out when they will complete each step in sequence. This process can be overwhelming to some, but with a coach right there it becomes a breeze. Before they know it, students have developed this life-changing, habit that will take them to new heights!
3. Organization.
From materials to schedule, an academic coach will help get your student organized and de-stressed. Setting out your bookbag with a list of items in sequence to do can have an incredibly calming effect on a student. This takes the guess work out of the day and gives them a plan to build momentum as they move through their day. This works particularly well for students who find it difficult to get moving in the morning.
4. Advocation.
Students are rarely their best advocate. In fact, sometimes they are their worst. An academic coach from our team knows how to teach self-advocation skills that will serve your student well in school and beyond. Empowering them with the ability to articulate questions is a good first step. Often, students have so many questions, but do not know how to organize them and so, they just do not ask. Or they do not ask them completely, and as such, get a partial answer. This leaves them to assume the missing parts, which does not always go well.
5. Time management.
Finding a balance between what you want to do and what you have to do is critical at this point for teens. Failure to become disciplined to this idea now will create havoc for them later. Instant gratification is in control for most students at first, but when working with an academic coach, they learn to delay the more enjoyable and are able to prioritize effectively.
6. Accountability.
For high school and college students, they are just starting to assert more independence. This is extremely important to their development and should be encouraged. However, for students with ADHD or other learning challenges, this invites problems as well. Each week, the coach will send a snapshot report of how the student is performing, and what they were responsible for accomplishing before the next session. This keeps everyone on track and through this relationship, builds the student’s habits of following through.
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. “