College Transition Coaching

This semester-long partnership offers students the opportunity to work one-on-one with a dedicated professional coach. All coaches are Master's level professionals with degrees in education or a related field. Students may meet once or twice weekly with their coach at a scheduled day and time.

Working together, the student and coach develop an individualized learning plan to apply appropriate strategies and to empower the student to make a smooth transition to the college learning environment. Coaching sessions coincide with the start of classes and take place each week during the semester. Each weekly session is 50 minutes.

A coach will monitor course progress, explore barriers to success, encourage self-advocacy and heighten personal accountability. A coach will also help the student achieve success by helping with organization, encouraging perseverance, and strengthening study skills.

This fee-based program is open to first-year students at Saint Joseph's University. The cost to work with a coach is $1,100/semester for one session weekly and $2,200/semester for twice weekly sessions. Financial support is available based on demonstrated family need. An application is required.

Here is what previous coaching students had to say about the program:

• "[My coach] was absolutely amazing. She really helped me to get through the first semester of my freshman year without getting too overwhelmed about anything."
• "[Coaching] really helped me to build self-confidence and learn that I am smarter than I think I am. It also helped me to stay on top of my work."
• "We worked as a team to organize my week. This organization helped a ton to relieve stress and pushed me to manage my time better throughout the semester."
• "I learned how to take initiative and solve problems myself after a little push from my coach."

Coaching Beyond Freshman Year

Many families want to know if College Transition Coaching is available beyond the first semester of freshman year. Currently, we are able to provide coaching to enrolled freshmen through their senior year. In order to scaffold the student's experience, we structure our support in the following way:

• Freshmen - May choose once or twice weekly coaching.
• Sophomores - May choose once weekly coaching.
• Juniors and seniors - May opt into twice/monthly coaching with other supports available as needed.

Interested in learning more about the College Transition Coaching program? Please contact Rachel Johnson, who serves as our Lead College Transition Coach.