Academic Coaching FAQ

Academic Coaching is a student-driven, collaborative service to help you feel successful in college. We help you build skills for effective studying, time management, critical thinking and goal setting. Coaches focus on the big picture when it comes to college success. We understand that many factors can contribute to academic stress, and we want to get you connected with support across campus. If you know that you want support but don’t know where to start — then reach out to Academic Coaching!

Academic Coaching focuses on helping students build the skills they need to feel successful in their college career. Coaches do not help with class selection or registration. For questions regarding your degree requirements and/or registration, we encourage you to reach out to your Academic Advisor.

Consultations are student driven. That means we focus on the concerns and questions that you bring to us. We’ll ask some basic get-to-know-you questions and then dive into any academic topics you bring to the appointment. A coach will offer tips and help you find possible solutions to your concerns. We’ll help you plan for projects or get you connected to other support.

Coaches are experts about college success strategies. We can help you with topics like study skills, testing strategies, note taking, critical reading, time management, organizational methods, critical thinking, project management and goal setting. Coaches have access to helpful campus resources; if we can’t help you directly, then we will get you to the office that can. If you know you want support in your academic journey, but don’t know where to start — start by making an appointment with a coach!

Any undergraduate student at the University of Idaho can meet with a coach. We also meet with graduate students on a case-by-case basis.

The easiest way to make an appointment with a coach is via our service page on VandalStar. Click “Schedule Appointment” and select a date and time that works best for you. Don’t see a time that works for your schedule? Reach out to us at acadcoaching@uidaho.edu to inquire about additional times that we may have available.

No! Academic Coaching is totally free for University of Idaho students!

That’s great! A coach will reach out to you directly about scheduling an appointment. You can also schedule directly on VandalStar.

No, Academic Coaching is not required for students. However, staff across campus refer students to the service because of the beneficial impact it can have on college success.

No, Academic Coaching is not a confidential resource. However, coaches do keep your information private. Coaches also adhere to all FERPA rules. Learn more about FERPA.

When you meet with a coach, we will record the time and date of the meeting in VandalStar. Additionally, we record a note about the broad topics of the meeting (e.g., time management, note taking, studying, etc.). Coaches will not share the details of the meetings with other students, faculty, staff, or your family without your written consent. Academic Coaches are mandatory reporters, so we must report meeting details if they fall under the following categories:

• There is an immediate safety risk to you or another person.
• If a coach learns of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• If a coach learns of a violation of Title IX. Learn more about Title IX.

If you are interested in finding a confidential resource on campus, then please contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center or view additional campus and community resources.

No, Academic Coaches are not mental health professionals. However, we do take the mental health concerns of students very seriously. The academic experiences of students often impact their mental health, and we recognize that. To better support students, coaches take trainings on mental health first aid practices. We strive to create an open and welcoming space for students to share the challenges they are facing while at the University of Idaho. Although we are not licensed therapists, we can help connect you with folks who are.

That depends on what you would like to discuss! Academic Coaches encourage you to bring any materials relevant to topics of interest. For example, if you are interested in new strategies to manage your time, it would be helpful for us to see what methods you are currently using – planners, apps, to-do lists, etc. If we are talking about new ways to take notes, it is helpful for us to see how you usually take notes. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your coach with any questions you have prior to your appointment!