Going off to college is an exciting time for your student and it’s also a lot for them to deal with. It encompasses a lot of first times, like living away from the structure of home and being responsible for their own self-care. It can feel overwhelming for them but you can help ward off potential struggles with their newly found independence by making sure they have the necessary Executive Function skills packed along with their classroom and dorm room supplies.

Students who are accustomed to the structure of high school can find themselves floundering in a campus life environment, like they jumped into the pool only to realize they didn’t learn how to swim. Even academically capable students can struggle with the process of managing school, work and a social life. Whether they’re a first-year student or returning after a rough start, having a plan to strengthen your student’s Executive Function skills can mean the difference between them just surviving and being fully prepared to thrive.

In addition to your guidance, adding an Executive Function Coach to your student’s team may be the outside voice and instruction they need to fully comprehend all that college life entails. They listen actively to your student, identifying strengths and challenges and creating a customized plan to shore up areas in need of improvement, such as:

  • Planning & Prioritizing: Developing strategies for organizing tasks by creating schedules and to-do lists
  • Time Management: Balancing academic, social and self-care responsibilities, managing distractions
  • Organization: Keeping track of assignments, structuring notes and study systems
  • Task Initiation: Creating a plan to push through procrastination and break assignments down into manageable steps
  • Self-Monitoring: Learning how to cope with daily responsibilities and sustain motivation to achieve goals
  • Emotional Regulation: Practicing self-compassion, bouncing back from setbacks and easing stress and anxiety

And your student doesn’t need to plunge into college life on their own. Choosing to continue working with their Executive Function Coach throughout the school year can be the anchor they need to stay accountable and troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Heading off to school is a major life shift that you want your student to be prepared for. We all want them to succeed in and out of the classroom, and building their skills and boosting their confidence with the help of an Executive Function Coach can put them on the path to being the effective independent learners and self-managers we hope they will be.

Does this sound like you, someone you know or someone in your network? We know supporting students can be a challenge and the teams of RCNY Executive Function and Academic Coaches are here to help. Whatever level of support a student needs our coaches work with them, and you, providing the coping skills, tools and techniques needed to help them gain academic and emotional readiness. Cindy is available for a confidential conversation and to answer any of your questions via phone at 631-921-4085 or directly via email here.

The Recovery Coach NY provides Recovery Coaching, Mental Health Support & Coaching, Sobriety & Mental Health Companionship, Executive Function & Accountability Coaching, Academic Coaching & Scholastic Support, Safe Transport, Case Management, Psychedelic Integration Coaching, Intervention and Emergency Services. To learn more about our services, visit our website.

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