Your Student’s Secret Advantage: The Tierney Approach to College Success
Once the initial excitement has worn off, many students find themselves overwhelmed with their classwork, homework, and complicated schedules. Adjusting to the planning and time management demands of college can be difficult and frustrating. At Tierney Education, our coaches help you feel confident and in control of your academic success! Our goal is to help you build the skills you need to do it all on your own.
The Tierney Approach: Practical Strategies for Real Results
Our coaching goes far beyond subject tutoring. We focus on the executive functioning skills that make a real difference: organization, time management, and critical thinking. Here’s how our coaches help students take charge of their college experience:
Personalized Planning: We work with students to map out their week, using tools like planners and digital calendars to track assignments, exams, and campus commitments.
Organizational Systems: Coaches help students set up Google Drive folders, color-coded notes, and checklists so nothing falls through the cracks.
Time Management: By blocking out study sessions and teaching prioritization, we ensure students have a clear plan for balancing academics, work, and social life.
Accountability & Support: Regular check-ins keep students on track, while our coaches offer encouragement and problem-solving strategies when challenges arise.
Penn State Expertise: Our team, including Director of Academic Coaching Kimberly Tierney, brings deep knowledge of the Penn State system, helping students navigate everything from Canvas to campus resources.
Insights from the Tierney Team
Kimberly shares:
“Success in college isn’t just about intelligence—it’s about building habits and systems that work for you. Our goal is to empower students to become independent, resilient learners who feel confident managing their own academic journey.”
James Tierney, founder and lead coach, adds:
“We’re not just tutors—we’re navigators. We help students chart a path through college, giving them the tools and strategies to reach their goals with confidence.”
What Families Are Saying
“James’ work has been essential to helping our family member navigate a complex university system at Penn State and also to finding work/school/life balance. Words like coaching are used frequently for the work James does, but we prefer to describe James’ work as that navigator who’s helping get to the final destination with commitment and caring. Need I say more? Unconditionally recommend Tierney Education to anyone looking to be a better student in today’s complex world.”
— Susan T., Parent of a 4-year RPTM coaching student
“James has been an exceptional academic coach for our daughter. His experience within the Penn State ecosystem adds immense value, providing insights we as parents simply can’t offer. His guidance has significantly improved her time management and organizational skills. Highly recommend Tierney Education for any family seeking quality academic coaching, especially within the Penn State community.”
— Frank Vallese
“My freshman doesn’t have stellar organizational skills, and so for their first semester we looked into some extra coaching to help keep them on track. James at Tierney Consulting set up Monday meetings where they would review Canvas together and map out the project due dates and study schedule for the week. In the words of my kid, ‘James was always optimistic and the way he laid things out made it all seem achievable.’ The extra help paid off not just in better grades, but peace of mind for my freshman (and mom!).”
— Elizabeth Fox
“He is laser focused on setting his students up for a successful college career, working closely with them on planning, time management, organizational skills and so much more. My son has found James’ tutoring and coaching sessions to be invaluable as he begins his college career at Penn State. Look no further than Tierney Education for all of your Penn State coaching and tutoring needs!!”
— Lauren Kapp
The Secret Advantage
Tierney Education’s approach is about more than grades—it’s about equipping students with the lifelong skills and confidence to thrive in college and beyond. If your student is ready to move from overwhelmed to empowered, discover the Tierney difference.
Your student’s success is our mission. Let’s chart the course together.
