Academic Success Coaching

Build skills. Stay on track. Reach your goals.

Whether college feels tougher than expected or you just want to understand how you learn best, Academic Success Coaching can help. We’ll partner with you to explore strategies for time and energy management, task initiation, and organization so you can feel more confident navigating college life.

You’ll meet one-on-one with a trained coach who will help you set goals and build personalized systems that work for you. Whether you’re bouncing back or moving forward, we’re here to support your unique path to success every step of the way.

Collage of students studying

“Coaching provides you a mentor that truly wants to see you grow and succeed. Knowing that my coach believed in me motivated me more than anything else. ”

Academic Success Coaching student, Spring 2026

Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success

102 Wagner Building, 638 Curtin Rd, University Park, PA 16802
814-863-4174 | Email Us

Drop-in to the Center Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Schedule with our team

Schedule with a Peer Coach

What is Academic Success Coaching?

Academic Success Coaching is a personalized, one-on-one support service designed to help you thrive in college. Whether you're navigating a tough semester or just want to build stronger habits, coaching gives you a space to pause, reflect, and create a game plan that works for you.

Students at University Park can access coaching in two ways:  with a trained professional staff coach or with a Peer Success Coach.

Students working with staff coaches can expect a more structured experience with weekly meetings. Peer coaching is typically more informal, though equally impactful, for students seeking a coaching experience from a fellow student.

Either way, our coaches will listen without judgment, help you problem-solve, and support your growth — no matter where you're starting from.

What You Can Work On

Every student’s goals and working styles are different, and we’ll tailor each session to exactly what you need. Common focus areas include the 10 essential college success skills:   

  • Time Management & Organization: Discover routines and organizational systems that fit your natural rhythms, help you navigate deadlines, and manage your energy.
  • Academic Skills: Figure out how your brain learns best. Explore study habits, note-taking methods, and learning strategies tailored to you.
  • Goal Setting & Follow-Through: Break down overwhelming goals into bite-sized, actionable steps that make sense for you.
  • Motivation & Procrastination: Understand your personal barriers to getting started (task paralysis is real!), reduce overwhelm, and find strategies to maintain focus.
  • Balancing Life & Academics: Juggle your classes, work, and personal life while protecting your peace, managing your social battery, and avoiding burnout.
  • Resource Navigation: Identify how and when to ask for help and where to go to find it.
  • Confidence & Mindset: Tackle perfectionism, quiet imposter syndrome, and lean into the things you're naturally great at.
  • Community & Belonging: Form meaningful connections and find the environments where you feel supported and engaged.
  • Personal Growth & Self Discovery: Explore your values, strengths, and passions to better understand yourself and how you operate best.
  • Future Readiness: Feel confident and prepared for life after college.

Not sure what you need? That’s okay—your coach can help you figure that out too.

What to Expect in a Session

We don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Coaching sessions are collaborative conversations, not lectures, and you drive the agenda. Here’s what to expect:

  • Check-in: What’s going well? What’s feeling challenging or overwhelming right now?
  • Topic: Together, we’ll explore a key area you want to work on, focusing on finding solutions that fit your life.
  • Self-Reflection: Through open-ended questions, you’ll be invited to reflect on your current systems, what energizes or drains you, and your core values. Some examples:
    • What strategies or environments have worked well for you in the past?
    • What kind of structure do you need to reach your current goals?
    • How can we adapt this process to better fit how you learn?
  • Action Plan: You’ll leave with personalized strategies, clear next steps, or simply more clarity on how to move forward.

Sessions with a staff coach are typically an hour and are completely tailored to you. You set the goals – your coach partners with you to figure out the best way to get there.

Meet the Coaches

Every Academic Success Coach has completed an intensive, 26-week training program accredited by the International Coaching Federation. This ensures they are equipped to provide professional, effective, and personalized support tailored to your needs. 

Beyond the Chaiken Center staff, we have 15 affiliate coaches across University Park who work with students through this program. Our current coaches represent offices such as Adult Learns Programs and Services, Division of Undergraduate Students, Office of Veterans Programs, Penn State Learning, Student Disability Resources, and more. 

Group Coaching & Workshops

Looking to bring Academic Success Coaching to your class, organization, or event? Our team offers interactive workshops that help students build the skills they need to thrive in college.

Workshop topics include:

  • Overview of Services – Learn about how our office supports student success (can be added to any workshop).

  • Time Management – Build a block schedule and take control of your time.

  • Goal Setting for Your Future Self – Visualize where you want to be and set goals to get there.

  • Start Strong: New Semester, New Strategy – Plan your semester by mapping assignments and deadlines.

Workshops can be delivered in person or online. Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee a presentation; sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis depending on staff and Peer Success Coach availability. Please submit requests two weeks ahead of the date you need.

Request a workshop here: Group Coaching & Workshop Request Form

“[Academic Success Coaching] made me feel seen as an individual and not just a Penn State student.”

Academic Success Coaching student, Fall 2024