Coaching Services
Shawn Usha, Educational Therapist, provides individualized support to guide learners to academic success. Shawn has extensive experience working with neurodivergent learners in public and private colleges.
The goal is to keep current with course assignments while learning and applying new skills for course work and for engaging in the college experience. A fixing the airplane while in flight process. You can do this!!
Coaching support can take many forms and cover different areas. Here are the most common.
- Understanding and navigating student support services.
- Improving core reading skills and vocabulary learning.
- Strategies for reading comprehension and note taking that lead to long-term learning.
- Improving core writing skills – sentence, paragraph and essay structures.
- Strategies for efficient, fluent, and expressive completion of writing assignments.
- Planning, organizing and prioritizing tasks to ensure work completion and readiness for exams.
- Managing distractability in the classroom and in study periods.
- Prepping and practicing for discussions in class, with the instructors, and with student support staff.
- Memory – how does it work, finding effective strategies for retention and recall.
- Strategies for test taking and managing anxiety.
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7 Learning Tasks for College Success
Ready for Takeoff
Taking Off
College is a step into adulthood. Everything is now the responsibility of the learner. While college staff and instructors will be very helpful, the learner needs to speak up and manage this new environment. Here is an overview of tasks that lead to college success. Knowing what to do, who to ask, where to go, when to do tasks, how the rules and procedures are setup, and why each step needs to be completed is essential.
Learning Areas
The materials below are introductions to essential skills and habits for college success. These are provided to start you on your journey. They are areas that we can build on in sessions in addition to building skills for completing academic work.
LEARNING AREA 1
MINDSET
Be hopeful for a wonderful experience.
Stay calm and focused when too busy.
Only you can make happen what you wish for.
Be ready to work hard and stay persistent through obstacles.
Learning is a joy and a skill I can master.
LEARNING AREA 2 Keep Organized
Goals
Goals are important. This is an example of a SMART goal for completing work on time.
- S pecific (complete all work on time)
- M easurable (keep a list and check off)
- A chievable ( manage each course)
- R elevant (this will keep me in low stress mode)
- T ime (will monitor and adjust strategies each week)
Keep Notes and Papers
College requires numerous documents and records. Use a tool like Notebook to file, link, and monitor the managing of your education.
LEARNING AREA 3 Disability Services & ADA Law
Americans with Disabilities Act
Services for students with a disability are regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Principle 1 Triangle Defining Appropriate Services
Nature of the disability is a diagnosis provided by an appropriate professional (or with documents from previous schools).
Limitation on education is a statement of how this disability affects your learning process.
Based on the disability and the limitation on education appropriate services and accommodations are determined.
Write sentences in the form of I have ……… which impacts my learning by …….. and what is most helpful is …….
These sentences form the basis of discussions with a counselor and instructors.
Principle 2 Reasonable Support
The purpose of ADA law is to ensure your full access and participation in all activities at the college. You will be required to complete the same course requirements with the same standards as other students. For example, assignments are very rarely modified. Accommodations like technology support and extra time on exams, if determined as appropriate, will assist you in completing the same requirements as other students.
LEARNING AREA 4 Working with Disability Services
Disability Services can have various names, and it is often found in the Student Services Building. Keep the phone number and emails of staff people in your phone. All of the assistance and guidance you need for academic success will come through this office. Follow the intake procedures and learn how to use all of the services available.
These are the people who will work with you.
| Staff Person | Role |
| Front Desk | Schedules appointments, answers questions. |
| Counselor | Primary person, setup service plans and accommodations, advises on courses, solves problems, guidance on other services. |
| Alternate Media | Provides services like recorded books. |
| Testing Accommodations Coordinator | Extra time on exams happens in a test taking room. You must schedule the time with this person so plan carefully. Specific instructions and accommodations are provided. |
| Tutor | Sometimes tutors specifically for students with a disability are available. |
LEARNING AREA 5 – DATES, SCHEDULES – FIRST TWO WEEKS
Complete Intake Process with Disabled Students Services
Meet with Counselor – Set Up Accommodations, Plan and Enroll in Courses
Attend First Day of Class
Read Each Class Syllabus Carefully – Know Grading Policies, Course Requirements, Instructor Contact Information and Office Hours
Plan a Weekly Calendar with blocks on each day for all activities – classes, study time, eating, sleeping, social, exercise, work. Post on Wall.
Plan a Semester Calendar Dates for major assignments, deadlines for dropping class, etc. Post on Wall
LEARNING AREA 6 TAKING COURSES
Skill 1 The Syllabus
Every instructor provides a syllabus which states the learning outcomes, resources and materials, schedule, grading policy, assignments and exams, and contact information. Read this carefully to understand the expectations for the class.
Skill 2 Using Accommodations
Accommodations are planned with the Disabled Students counselor, not with the instructor. With your permission, the instructor is informed of your accommodations and will work with you to use them effectively.
Skill 3 Study Patterns
Each course has different requirements for reading, types of assignments, lecture format, and other features. Use your knowledge of your learning strengths to develop study strategies for each course. Use tutoring services and study skill workshops to improve your success.
LEARNING AREA 7 STAY RESILIENT
Stay Healthy
- Eat well, sleep well.
- Move! Exercise, walk, take a sport, look at birds.
- If in distress seek support, talk to a counselor.
- Practice techniques to manage anxiety
Joy
- Find moments of gratitude and beauty.
- Talk to classmates.
- Join and/or attend campus events.