Academic Success Coaching

Collage of students studying

If you've ever thought "I want to get started but I don't know how" or "I've tried a few things, but nothing seems to stick"—you're in the right place.

Different students need different kinds of support. That's why we offer multiple coaching options to help you build skills, stay accountable, and reach your goals.

Peer Success Coaching Academic Success Coaching
You'll meet with:
A trained Penn State student who understands what you're experiencing firsthand. 		You'll meet with:
A trained professional coach who provides individualized, ongoing support.
Meeting style:
Meet once for quick guidance, join a 3-week Success Sprint to build momentum, or continue meeting throughout the semester for accountability. 		Meeting style:
Meet weekly with the same coach to build long-term habits, strengthen your skills, and make steady progress toward your goals.

Best if you want to...

  • Create a realistic study plan
  • Get organized for the week
  • Stay accountable to your goals
  • Prepare for office hours
  • Navigate campus resources
  • Finally tackle something you've been putting off

Best if you want to...

  • Build lasting routines and habits
  • Work through recurring academic challenges
  • Understand what's getting in your way
  • Strengthen executive functioning skills
  • Develop long-term success skills
Not sure where to start? Meet with us for a 15-minute Success Consultation. 
We'll learn about what's going on and help you find the support that's the best fit for you—even if it's not with our office.

Schedule a Success Consultation to get started 

And remember, college success isn't about finding one perfect planner or study trick. It's about building habits, trying new strategies, reflecting on what's working, and having someone in your corner to help you keep moving forward.

Whether you meet with a peer coach for a few weeks or work with a professional coach throughout the semester, coaching helps you make meaningful progress in a realistic for real life kind of way. 

Still not sure if coaching is for you? Check out some of these frequently asked questions below.

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 Can Coaching Help Me With?

Every student’s goals and working styles are different, and we’ll tailor each session to exactly what you need. We can help you:

  • Get organized for the week
  • Create a study plan for an upcoming exam
  • Stop procrastinating and get started
  • Get back on track after a setback
  • Prepare for office hours
  • Balance work, life, and academics
  • Figure out which campus resources can help
  • Build confidence in yourself as a learner—for your time at Penn State and beyond.

Not sure what you need? Your coach can help you figure that out too.

What Happens During a Coaching 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 professional academic success coach are typically an hour and are completely tailored to you. Between meetings, you might check in with your coach via email/text with updates.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Is coaching free?

Yes! Academic Success Coaching and Peer Success Coaching are free services offered through the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success. Our goal is to make support easy to access for all students who want to build skills, stay on track, and make the most of their college experience.

Who are the coaches?

You can connect with two types of coaches:

Academic Success Coaches are University staff members certified in coaching techniques. They work with students through tailored, one-on-one conversations to develop sustainable strategies and habits related to time management, motivation, executive functioning, overcoming barriers, goal setting, and self-advocacy.

Peer Success Coaches are trained Penn State students who help their peers with things like getting organized, creating a study plan, overcoming procrastination, staying accountable, or navigating Penn State resources.

Who can use coaching?

Coaching is available to all undergraduate students at University Park who want support developing the skills and strategies needed to be successful in college. Coaching is particularly beneficial for students who had an IEP/504 in high school.

How often do we meet?

It depends on the type of coaching that best fits your needs.

Academic Success Coaching is designed as an ongoing support relationship. Students typically meet with their coach multiple times throughout the semester (often around 5 sessions) to identify goals, build strategies, reflect on progress, and create sustainable habits.

Peer Success Coaching is more flexible and can include one-time support meetings, 3-week Success Sprint sessions, and accountability opportunities depending on what you need.

Do I need to be struggling to meet with a coach?

Not at all! Coaching is not just for students who are having difficulty. Many students work with coaches because they want to:

  • Start the semester strong
  • Improve their study habits
  • Stay accountable to their goals
  • Build confidence and independence
  • Learn more about how they learn best

College is a big transition, and coaching can help you make the most of your experience—whether things are going well or you want to make a change.

Bring Coaching to Your Group or Class

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: Design the Semester that Works for You – Reflect on the environment, strategies, and support to help you succeed.

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