The first two weeks set the tone for the whole semester. From organizing your syllabi to calculating real study time to naming your plan for when things get hard, here's everything to knock out before your first class.

Planning is one of the most important academic skills a student can develop! A robust and well-created study plan reduces stress, increases your chances of success, and helps you feel more in control of your life. 

Starting college is both an exciting and nerve-wracking journey! New experiences await, but so do high expectations. Many students stress about their ability to thrive academically while also joining clubs and organizations and taking advantage of the social aspects of a full college life. One of the most effective ways to rise to those expectation is by honing your executive functioning skills. The good news is, executive functioning skills aren’t set in stone, you can grow them!

As an academic coach, I’ve seen it countless times—students relying solely on the Canvas calendar to keep track of their assignments and deadlines. While the calendar is a useful tool, it has one major flaw: not every professor uses it consistently. Some assignments, readings, or even major announcements don’t show up in the calendar, which leaves students at risk of missing important information. This can lead to unnecessary stress and last-minute panic, something we all want to avoid.

Executive functioning refers to the set of mental processes that help you manage yourself, solve problems, and reach your goals. These skills are critical in academic settings because they allow students to take control of their learning, rather than reacting to every new task or deadline as it arises.

At its core, executive functioning is about thinking ahead, planning effectively, and staying organized. The great news? Like any other skill—whether it's reading, playing an instrument, or riding a bike—executive functioning can be improved with practice. Let’s take a closer look at some of these key skills:

As one semester concludes, the anticipation for the next one begins. This blog aims to guide students in effective preparation, helping them harness essential skills and resources for a successful academic journey. Alongside strategies for note-taking, course selection, and technology utilization, consider the invaluable support that academic tutoring can offer as you embark on the upcoming semester.

Ah, the beginning of the semester… a time for new friends, new teachers, and new beginnings. For some, this period is like a refreshing blank slate; for others, it’s a time of much stress and responsibility. Fortunately, whether you’re looking forward to the new semester or already wishing for it to be over, there are apps available that will give you a leg-up. Listed below are 5 apps that will help you start strong this semester:

Starting a new semester? Here are seven simple tools we recommend to help college students stay organized, manage their time, and study more effectively.

You need to focus on these 3 sections of the syllabus.