Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement

Preparing for College

Their old GPA got them into college.

Their new GPA will get them through college.

New GPA: Grounded, Persistent, Agile

Preparing Your Kid’s Flight to College

No one can foretell your child’s college experience before it happens, but I can help them build a toolkit of strategies designed for them to thrive in a new place, among new people. 

"Many students have not learned the basic life skills that are necessary for success, such as time management, budgeting, and self-advocacy. These are the skills that often determine whether a student succeeds or fails."

- The Wall Street Journal

What is the plan when your student hits turbulence?

  • Academically:  Do they have the vocabulary to comprehend and synthesize college-level reading? What will they do when they get a professor they hate?

  • Socially:  What clubs or student organizations will they join? How will they deal with people who have opposite values?

  • Emotionally:  How will they handle homesickness? What tools do they have to stay grounded and emotionally agile?

  • Physically:  How much sleep do they need? How do they move their bodies when there is not a PE class or team sport in their schedule?

  • Financially:  How do they budget their monthly allowance? How do they find a job?

  • Logistically:  How do they get to where they need to be on time? How many classes can they miss before it affects their grade? (yes, many professors take attendance)

I got you. Your student and I will make a “map” that they will use for college and beyond. 

We will create a document containing: 

  • Strategies that work for them

  • Tools for when the sh*t hits the fan 

  • What they need to do to prepare for their “flight”

  • Take stock of their “digital hygiene" (ie: how they manage their phones and other screens)

  • How your new GPA will keep that other GPA on track

Preparing for Their Flight to College: The Ultimate Cheat Code.

Why? College has been branded and hyped like never before. Living away from home will require skills. Let’s be honest: times have changed since we were in college. You’ve done a good job: they got the grades, wrote the essays, they think they are ready, but… this is different.

What? Three 60-75 min sessions that address skills that need honing and identify and develop tools to handle life’s inevitable surprises.* Together, we will create a “map” that they can take with them on their journey. 

*additional sessions available as needed

Who? Thai Binh Checel, MPP, ACC  (AKA not you! ;)

As an academic coach, I help young people navigate the transition to college that is tailor-made to meet their needs. Life is not a “one size fits all” event; my mission for them is to become a competent, resilient human who charts their own way with confidence  and resilience. 

What’s the damage? $999

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP) | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

  • B.A. in English | University of California, Berkeley

  • Multiple Subject Teaching Credential | California State University, Los Angeles 

  • Certified Life Coach | Wayfinder Life Coach Training

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC) | International Coaching Federation (ICF)

“Is there no time in my kid’s life when you can’t swoop in and make it better? I am so grateful to you, Thai.  How does anyone raise a child without you?” - mother of a client since 2009 after helping her daughter apply to middle school, apply to college, apply to a Master’s program, and secure her first job 🙂

*additional sessions can be added a la carte and have included:

  • additional tweaks to original “map” now that college has begun

  • tools to stop comparing your college experience to those of others’

  • how to handle professors that are not a good “match”

  • the trials and tribulations of dorm life

  • methods of managing phone use

  • battling perfectionism

  • taming procrastination

  • creating a resume

… the list is long. You get the point 😉