The Impact of Academic Coaching: Why Each Student Needs a Coach in their Corner

May 11, 2021
Alyssa O’Keeffe, Learning Specialist Coordinator & Jarlene Ramirez, Learning Specialist
THINK TANK May photo

Olympic athletes have coaches.  Why? These athletes are stellar, but a coach provides challenge and support to push their performance to the next level.  Similarly, Academic Coaches at THINK TANK help students improve their performance.  Coaching can be helpful for both continuing and new students.  Continuing students appreciate the dedicated time spent each week to discussing academics and goal setting with a professional staff member at the university.   For transitioning students, the  new college environment comes with its own set of challenges.  It’s like going from playing Monopoly to  Risk.  Students have to learn a new set of academic rules and strategies to “win the game”; strategies that academic coaches help students hone. 

Academic Coaches at THINK TANK use a strength-based approach.  We focus on what students are already good at, and capitalize on those skills.  Through motivational interviewing, open-ended questions, and a personalized, holistic approach we support students as they navigate the college environment. 

As students have different strengths and challenges, topics discussed in meetings will vary.  Common subjects talked about in Academic Coaching meetings include, but are not limited to:

  • Study Skills
  • Time Management
  • Goal Setting
  • Learning Strategies
  • Test Anxiety
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Navigating Campus & Finding Resources
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Campus Involvement & Career Advancement Opportunities
  • Relationship Building with Campus Staff & Faculty
  • Transition into and out of College

Learning Specialists are here to be mentors and provide guidance to students at the university. Academic coaching meetings are a space to reflect on your current habits and past experiences to create goals and action plans to be a successful student.

If you would like to receive more information about Academic Coaching at THINK TANK, or our many other services such as Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction, visit our www.thinktank.arizona.edu .