Carnegie Mellon University
Student Academic Success Center  ›  Our Programs  ›  Academic Coaching

Academic Coaching

1-on-1 Academic Coaching

The Academic Coaching Program provides holistic one-on-one peer support and group workshops to help undergraduate and graduate students find and implement their conditions for success.

We support…
Undergraduate students with Graduate students with
  • improving time management
  • forming productive habits
  • creating an organizational system
  • improving stress management
  • developing study skills
  • Managing your time by balancing coursework, research and professional development opportunities
  • Applying for jobs and internships
  • Techniques for comprehending course content
  • Maintaining accountability
  • Avoiding procrastination
  • Managing priorities
  • Becoming more productive
  • Preparing for exams

Students can choose any of the coaching services to attend throughout the semester. Coaching and workshops will be available throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. To schedule a meeting with an Academic Coach, please click the link below.

Visit WCOnline to schedule an Academic Coaching appointment!

Drop-in Accountability Groups

Weekly Accountability Group for Neurodivergent Students 

Click here to add event to your calendar!

The Student Academic Success Center is pleased to present a recurring, virtual productivity and accountability group for students with executive functioning challenges. This space offers body doubling in a low-pressure, virtual work session to help you stay on track and accomplish your goals.

No diagnosis of any kind is required to attend.

When & Where: Mondays (beginning 3/10) from 12:30 - 2:30 on Zoom

How It Works:

  • Join a low-pressure, virtual work session where you can focus on your tasks alongside others.
  • We will be completing work in chunks following the Pomodoro Method (25 minute blocks of work separated by 5 minute breaks)
  • A coach will be available throughout the session for individual support and questions should they come up.
  • No sign-up required, but feel free to RSVP to reserve your spot.

If you need a space to work on your goals, this is the perfect opportunity to stay accountable and get things done.

Questions?
Email Caitlin Ortis at cortis2@andrew.nbzhiai.com.

Workshops

Our Academic Coaching workshops help students improve their time management, productive habits, organization, stress management, and study skills. We collaborate with various graduate and undergraduate programs to offer workshops in a variety of study skills topics. Students can choose to attend one or more workshops that are available year-round.

Workshops are currently delivered using video and audio conferencing technology to provide all students with support.

View workshop topics

Request a Workshop

Academic Coaches and professional staff from the Student Academic Success Center are available to facilitate on-campus or virtual informational sessions and workshops for academic departments, classes, organizations, or student groups.

Available workshop topics are listed below. To request a session or workshop, please carefully review the following guidelines and complete the form below. Please contact success@andrew.nbzhiai.com if you have any questions.

Before you complete the workshop request form, please take a moment to review our guidelines.

  • Requests for informational sessions and workshops must be made at least 10 business days before your first date preference.
  • If an outside speaker is requested, additional time may be required.
  • Virtual workshops are hosted on Zoom.
  • Attendance data can be provided after the session if needed.
  • Please note that we will do our best to accommodate your request; requests are not guaranteed and decisions are based on the availability of staff.

Offerings

Information Sessions ➤Overview of all Student Academic Success Center support services and programs including Learning Support (peer tutoring, SI, coaching), Communication Support, Language Support, Disability Resources.
Planning for Success ➤
  • Focus: Organizing and planning for a successful academic semester.
  • Content: Creating a semester schedule, setting academic goals, balancing coursework with extracurricular activities, and using academic calendars effectively.
Time Management & Productivity (Undergraduate) ➤
  • Focus: Techniques for balancing academic, extracurricular, and personal responsibilities.
  • Content: Prioritization strategies, effective use of planning tools, overcoming procrastination, and managing stress.
Time Management & Productivity (Graduate) ➤
  • Focus: Efficiently managing time to balance research, coursework, and teaching while making consistent progress on research projects.
  • Content: Setting SMART goals, creating structured schedules, developing research routines, balancing responsibilities, overcoming procrastination, utilizing productivity tools, and crafting a personalized time management plan.
Motivation, Mindset, & Procrastination ➤
  • Focus: Developing a growth mindset and leveraging positive psychology to overcome procrastination and enhance motivation.
  • Content: Strategies for cultivating a growth mindset, techniques to boost motivation, overcoming procrastination, applying principles of positive psychology, and fostering resilience and a proactive approach to challenges.
Academic Self-Care ➤
  • Focus: Addressing the unique stressors and pressures faced by CMU students
  • Content: Stress management techniques, mental health resources, building resilience, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Navigating Academic Resources and Support ➤
  • Focus: Leveraging available university resources to aid academic success.
  • Content: How to use libraries, academic advising, tutoring services, writing centers, and online academic tools effectively.

Workshop Request Form