COLLEGE STUDENT COACHING ~ COURSE SELECTION ~ STUDY HABITS ~ TIME MANAGEMENT ~ MAJOR & CAREER DECISION MAKING ~ STRESS MANAGEMENT ~ & BEYOND!
As a College Student Coach, I get to help my clients RESCRIPT their stories and acclimate to living away from home, create positive academic habits, get involved in campus life and events, and make academic, major, and career-related decisions that cultivate a rewarding college experience. In addition to running my coaching practice for 15 years, I have a 25 year background working in higher education. I've worked in career services, learning centers, residence life, academic advising, and educational access programs (EOF & TRIO) (1997-2010) and have been teaching psychology, counseling, and leadership courses since leaving student services (2010-Present). I've worked with thousands of college students to guide them in achieving their academic, social, personal, and career goals! When considering hiring a college student coach, we usually have a lot of questions. Let's see if we can answer these questions for you to help you determine if college student coaching is a good fit for you or your young adult child!
What is a College Student Coach?
As a college student coach, my mission is to guide and support my clients through your college experience. I understand the numerous obstacles that students may encounter, having experienced them firsthand during my own college years. Thus, I've made it my purpose to help students navigate these waters and find success both academically, personally, and professionally. As a college student coach, I make it a point to create a comfortable and non-judgmental space where my clients can freely discuss their concerns, fears, and aspirations.
Academic support is a cornerstone of my coaching approach as a college student coach. I assist students in developing effective study habits, time management skills, organizational strategies, and course selection methods. Furthermore, pre-professional coaching is a critical aspect of my work with students. We work together to identity career interests and select major and career paths that align with passions, strengths, skills, values, and goals. We also work to create a rich college experience outside the classroom through campus involvement, events, and programs and social engagement.
Moreover, as a college student coach, I understand the importance of holistic well-being. College life can be stressful, and mental health is crucial. I educate students on the resources available for mental health support on campus and promote self-care practices. I aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and foster a supportive community.
Because self-talk is at the core of my RESCRIPT Framework, as we work on your specific goals, we simultaneously work on helping you eliminate negative self-talk patterns and develop a positive internal dialogue. By learning and maintaining empowering self-talk strategies, you gain the most important fuel for achieving what you desire. Through our college student coaching partnership, we help you RESCRIPT your story and author a limitless life!
What Types of Things Do You Help Clients Work on as a College Student Coach?
As a college student coach, I provide assistance in various specific areas to ensure students thrive and make the most out of their college experience. Here are some of the specific things I help students with:
Academic Planning: I assist students in creating personalized academic plans based on their interests, strengths, and career aspirations. Together, we evaluate degree requirements, explore potential minors or concentrations, and map out a clear path towards graduation.
Time Management: One of the most crucial skills for college success is time management. I work with students to develop effective study routines, prioritize tasks, and balance academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities and personal commitments.
Study Strategies: Different students benefit from different study techniques. I help identify each student's learning style and suggest study strategies that align with their strengths, whether it's visual aids, active learning techniques, or group study sessions.
Goal Setting: Setting achievable and realistic goals is vital for motivation and progress. I work closely with students to set short-term and long-term objectives and establish actionable steps to reach those milestones.
Exam Preparation: Exam periods can be stressful for students, especially during midterms and finals. I assist in developing effective exam preparation strategies, such as creating study schedules, practicing with sample questions, and managing test anxiety.
Career Guidance: I provide resources and support for students to explore potential career paths, internships, and job opportunities. This includes resume building, interview preparation, and networking tips.
Personal Development: College is not just about academics; it's also a time for personal growth. I encourage students to explore their interests, passions, and extracurricular activities to enhance their overall college experience.
Overcoming Challenges: College life can present various challenges, both academic and personal. As a college student coach, I act as a mentor, helping students navigate difficult situations, cope with stress, and build resilience.
Resource Navigation: Many students might be unaware of the numerous resources available on campus. I help students connect with tutoring services, academic advisors, counseling centers, and other support systems to maximize their chances of success.
Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for both academic and professional settings. I provide guidance on improving verbal and written communication skills, which can positively impact class participation and future career prospects.
Balancing Life Demands: College students often face the challenge of balancing academics with personal and social commitments. I help students find a healthy equilibrium, ensuring they have time for leisure, socializing, and self-care.
Building Confidence: Building self-confidence is crucial for tackling new challenges and taking on leadership roles. I encourage and empower students to believe in themselves and their abilities.
Ultimately, as a college student coach, I aim to be a resourceful partner on each student's journey, assisting them in realizing their full potential and achieving success in both their academic, personal, and professional endeavors.
How Does Your College Student Coaching Process Work?
Step 1 - ACQUAINT: We schedule a FREE 20-minute Discovery Session to get acquainted, discuss your college student coaching needs, and answer any questions you may have.
Step 2 - ASSESS: We'll assess your level of satisfaction with each area of your life, as well as evaluate your unique self-talk patterns.
Step 3 - AIM: We'll have an in-depth discussion of your assessment results and begin setting specific short- and long-term goals based on your assessments and what we discover during our discussion so we know what destinations we are aiming for.
Step 4 - ACTION: We'll jump right in with "In-Between Session Actions" (AKA - homework ;-) customized to your needs to begin moving you into action toward your college student coaching-related goals.
Step 5 - ACHIEVE, ADDRESS, & APPRECIATE: We'll focus our sessions on reviewing your goal achievement progress, discussing and addressing any negative self-talk that is getting in your way, positively tackling any new challenges and opportunities that arise, and CELEBRATING AND APPRECIATING YOUR SUCCESSES - the small ones along the way and big ones following your hard work!
Can You Share More About Your RESCRIPT Framework?
As a life and career coach, I've developed my own framework for helping my clients quiet negative self talk and become their own best advocates.
We have two very different mental narrators who talk to us in our minds—the Inner Antagonist and the Inner Advocate.
Your Inner Antagonist is your story’s inner opposing force. It tells you that you have disorder, conflict, weaknesses, and deficits within and around you, and that you do not have what it takes to resolve any of it. Your Inner Antagonist can also lead you to act in ways that are not aligned with your values and ultimate desires.
Your Inner Advocate has your back. It’s your inner ally, supporter, encourager, and collaborative problem solver. It tells you that you’re strong and capable. It reminds you of all the resources you have within and around you. It reminds you of the wisdom you’ve gained from life experience. It tells you that you can overcome anything. To amplify our Inner Advocate, we must RESCRIPT:
I'm your co-strategizer: Together, we come up with ideas and strategies to help you quiet your Inner Antagonist, amplify your Inner Advocate, set and take action toward your goals, achieve your dreams, and enhance your life satisfaction. I have developed over 100 exercises and worksheets to help you on your journey (no, you don't have to use ALL of them, just the ones that resonate with you!).
I'm your accountability partner: I help you remain motivated, engaged, and on track toward achieving your short- and long-term goals!
I'm your External Advocate and champion: I help you see your strengths, accomplishments, passions, and purpose so you can live your fullest, limitless life. I help encourage, empower, and motivate you, and I celebrate you and all of the steps you take towards positively changing your life.
What is My Role as a College Student Coaching Client?
As a college student coaching client, I ask you to:
Allow yourself to dream and believe in positive change - You CAN and WILL achieve your college goals!
Allow yourself to be a priority in your life - Put yourself on your list - HIGH on your list!
Do the work - Coaching requires time and effort. You are worth all of it! TOGETHER, we can achieve your dreams.
Why Should I Work with You as my College Student Coach, Dr. Colleen?
Helping others has been my calling since I was a kid. My very first job at 14 was as a camp counselor, so it was destiny! I just genuinely love people and want to see others happy and living their most fulfilled lives. Here's a bit about my background and experience:
Advising and teaching college students for 25+ years.
Running my coaching business for 15 of these years.
Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University and 30+ certificates and certifications in coaching and psychology, including certifications as a Life Coach, Career Coach, Positive Psychology Coach, Health & Nutrition Coach, Anxiety Specialist, Parent Educator, and Time Management Consultant.
Created and maintain positive daily habits and routines in my own life around my health, self-care, fun, work, productivity, relationships, and beyond.
I Think I'd Like to Work with You, Dr. Colleen - Can We Talk Before I Decide?
We sure can! In fact, I offer a FREE 20-Minute Discovery Session where we can get acquainted, discuss your coaching needs, and I can answer any questions you may have. Completing the form below will help us get started!