Adviser talking with a student

Academics

Academic Coaching

Academic Coaching is a new, individualized service for undergraduate students that supports the College’s mission of a transformative education by inviting students to reflect on their own learning process and build new skills for academic success along the way. Academic Support Specialists provide students with the tools to:

  • Successfully transition to the College as an incoming first-year or transfer student
  • Develop new habits of mind that support problem-solving across the curriculum
  • Find a balance between academic commitments and co-curricular activities
  • Study effectively for exams and lessen distractions
  • Set achievable goals and practice academic resilience
     

Upcoming events:

Additional Academic Support Resources

Students listening to panel discussion

Types of Appointments

First meeting:

  • Initial meetings are 45 minutes and are preferably in person
  • Location: Study Cubicles in the North Reading Room, Third Floor, Stuart Hall (near Harper Café)
  • Students will discuss their academic interests, goals, acknowledge challenges and create an initial action plan.

Follow-up sessions: 

  • Additional appointments are 30 minutes long, and can be held in person or remotely on Zoom
  • Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed based on a student's individual goals and needs.

Please note: All appointments with Academic Support Specialists are voluntary. Meeting with an Academic Support Specialist does not satisfy required Academic Advising meetings.

Schedule an appointment
Students having a discussion

Topics Academic Support Specialists can address include:

  • The “hidden curriculum,” or the unspoken norms of college life 
  • Time management and organization​ 
  • Subject specific skills (e.g., preparing for a chemistry exam or starting a calculus problem set) 
  • Assignment specific skills (e.g., how to overcome writers block for an upcoming essay) 
  • Engaging in lectures through note-taking​ and active listening 
  • Strategies for critical reading and comprehension 
  • Making meaningful contributions to discussion-based courses 
  • Promoting self-efficacy and persistence following academic challenges 
  • Managing academic pressure and burnout