Academic Coaching and more
There is a new Campus Health Update on the dashboard, and also updated results on our asymptomatic testing. The numbers are definitely looking good. To keep this trend continuing, it is really important that students stay vigilant about mask-wearing all the time unless you are in your res hall room (alone or with only your roommate present) or are actively eating, and maintaining 6′ distance between themselves and others. Those are the building blocks that keep us all safe.
One calendar note: tomorrow (9/30) is the last day to drop a full-term class. See more at the Office of Academic Advising.
Wake has an incredible amount of resources there for the taking. Sometimes it takes a little bump to help a student realize the things we have in place to assist them. Today I want to share some information about Academic Coaching, a free service provided by the Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services. Here is what the LAC told me about this service:
Much like our beloved Deacon Arnold Palmer always had a swing coach, and Olympian Michael Phelps always had a swim coach, college students of all levels can benefit from an academic coach. Midterms are coming up soon, and now is a great time for students to consider Academic Coaching in the Learning Assistance Center.
Academic Coaching is open to all students (not just students with learning disabilities or low grades) and with no additional fees, it is considered part of the Wake Forest experience. Its purpose is to equip students with time management skills, study strategies, test taking tips, techniques for battling procrastination, ways to tackle test anxiety, and more. Students learn tried and true tips and strategies for use in college and beyond.
In our online world, we are finding students are really enjoying having one-on-one time with a dedicated coach (even if it is via Zoom right now). Each session is about 45 minutes and students can meet weekly with a coach for the entire semester, or for just a few sessions. With an interactive individualized approach, coaches help students grow.
We asked past students who used Academic Coaching: “What was most helpful to you in academic coaching?” They said:
“He listened to what I said and didn’t dismiss my problems just because I have good grades.”
“It was extremely helpful to just have someone to freak out at when I got stressed out or overwhelmed with work, and it was good to have an outside, objective perspective.”
“He helped me arrange my schedule so that I could find hidden time to do work. He helped relieve stress and gave me someone to talk to.”
“Getting all of my papers and classes organized; this was most helpful.”
“Having someone to talk out a schedule with. Being able to verbalize my tasks was extremely helpful in starting them. Also, having that time to manage my time for the rest of the week.”
In addition, many students find it helpful to have someone hold them accountable to their study plans. LAC Academic Coaches support and encourage students in their academic goals and total wellbeing, helping them create a well balanced approach to each day.
Academic Coaches are extremely helpful in our current online world where time can get away from all of us. Encourage your students to reach out to the LAC at lacds@wfu.edu and make an Academic Coaching appointment today!
I frequently tell any students that I come into contact with that “the more you put in, the more you get back.” This plays out in countless ways at Wake: the more time you spend with the OPCD, the more likely you are to have a smoother, more effective job search. The more time you put in with a tutor or with your faculty’s office hours, the more likely you will master the course material at a high level. The more you work on your own wellbeing (whether through counseling, meditation, or physical activity/nutrition), the more likely you are to feel good and be able to bring your best self to your studies. You get the idea. It is the same with Academic Coaching. Intentional preparation and the support of coaching can lead to great results.
Another resource we want your Deacs to be aware of: the Wake Study Space website. Students can access private study space, particularly if they need a place where they can unmask and talk (as long as they are alone in the room) to engage in online coursework, or just to study. They just need to plan a little ahead to reserve space. Wake Study Space has all the info and guidelines students need for private, reservable space. There is also abundant, less private, and non-reservable open space in the Wellbeing Center and ZSR Library.
Last up today, our AD, John Currie (’93) sent out a message yesterday, and among the items he covered was the expectation that our governor might increase the capacity for people to attend events at outdoor venues with at 10K+ seating capacity. For Truist Field, that would be around 2,200 people. He said “the largest single allocation of tickets, 750, will go to Wake Forest students who, through the Screamin’ Demon Rewards app have access to a game-by-game ticket allocation system for the 2020 season, utilizing a new weighted student ticket lottery, and mobile ticket delivery.” Interested Deacs can look into that.