Most people attending Life Coach school typically imagine themselves working with adult clients upon graduation. But grown adults aren’t the only ones who need guidance in today’s high-stress, fast-paced world. More than ever, students are reaching out to Life Coaches for help with academic-related issues.

There are lots of reasons students might choose to seek out an academic Life Coach. A student might choose to enlist the help of a Life Coach if, for example:

  • Learning challenges are causing them to fall behind.
  • They’re feeling overwhelmed by the college or post-graduate application process.
  • They’re struggling with managing their time effectively.
  • They feel pressure to be perfect in order to impress parents, teachers, or admissions counselors.

Fortunately for many teenagers and young adults, Academic Life Coaches can offer the guidance and support they need to effectively handle the rigors associated with modern academics.

What is Academic Life Coaching?

Let’s start by talking about what the role of an Academic Life Coach is.

Similar to a Life Coach, the purpose of an Academic Life Coach is to assist clients (in this case students) in:

  • Unlocking their potential
  • Finding solutions to challenges
  • Setting and reaching goals

However, in the case of an Academic Life Coach, the primary focus is academics. So whereas a regular Life Coach might work with clients on goals related to health, career, or interpersonal relationships, an Academic Life Coach helps students with education-related goals. It’s important to note that those topics may also be addressed as part of a strategy to improve academic performance, but they’re not usually the primary focus.

Academic Life Coaches act as guides, cheerleaders, accountability partners, and confidants. They focus on a student’s learning habits and look for ways to help them be more successful and work toward their goals. For most students, doing well in school is a first step on the path to career and overall success, and many Academic Life Coaches find it extremely rewarding to be able to be of service at such a pivotal point in a young person’s life.

The Growing Trend of Life Coaches for College Students

Great Life Coaches are in high demand for clients of all ages. But one group that’s depending on them more and more is college students. It’s not surprising that they need support when you take into account the highly competitive admissions process, intense academic environments, social concerns, and financial challenges—not to mention living away from home for the first time. Today’s college students have a lot on their plate!

5 Qualities That Could Make You a Great Academic Life Coach

So how do you know if you’d make a great Academic Life Coach? For starters, you’ll want to have the qualities that made you a great candidate for Life Coach school in the first place. Qualities like being a good listener and communicator, having a sincere and strong desire to help people, and being self-motivated are important traits for any type of coach.

It goes without saying that if you’re looking to focus on Academic Life Coaching, you’ll want to love working with teenagers and young adults.

Here are some 5 more qualities could make you especially good fit for coaching college students and younger learners:

  1. You’re a former educator or counselor. Whether you’re retired or you’re just looking for something different or more flexible, if you already have experience teaching or counseling young people, you could be a perfect candidate for Academic Life Coaching. The skills and experience you’ve gained over the years will not only translate well, but you’ll also have a very clear niche area of specialty that will make you highly marketable to potential clients and their parents.

  2. You love learning. No matter what your background is, having a true love of learning and placing a high value on education in general will go a long way toward making you an excellent Academic Life Coach. The fact is, enthusiasm for learning is contagious and when your students see how committed you are to them, it will be a big driver in keeping them motivated—even when the going gets tough. 

  3. You’re OK going with the flow. When it comes to the ways young people learn best, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Some students need a highly structured plan, constant follow-up, and firm goals with frequent check-ins. Others may need the freedom to create a plan that’s flexible. Some have learning differences that need to be addressed. For many, technology comes easily, but there are students who may still find comfort in using good old paper and pen. If you pursue college Life Coaching or work with younger students, it’s your job to tune in to individual habits and learning styles, and be flexible enough to change courses if something isn’t working as well as you’d like. 

  4. You have a variety of go-to strategies. Whether it’s skills you’ve acquired through professional experience or simply by muddling through parenthood, having a toolbox full of “tricks of the trade” will not only make you more confident as a high school or college Life Coach, but will also give you the flexibility you need to meet the diverse needs of young adult learners.

  5. You’re good at dealing with parents as well as students. The fact is, teenagers and young adults with learning difficulties and/or anxiety sometimes come with parents who unknowingly exacerbate those challenges. By having the skills needed to reassure overanxious or perfectionist parents and gently steer them in a new and more productive direction, you’ll have more success with your students.

The bottom line is if you choose to be a Life Coach for college students or for learners at any stage of life, your influence can be as big as you want to make it.

Dual Health and Life Coach Certification in 6 Months with HCI

Coaching is a great career that you can help others, while also learning how to help your own personal growth. Health Coach Institute’s dual health and life coaching certification program is designed to accommodate your schedule. Join our Become a Health Coach program and begin coaching in 6 months! If you are already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out HCI’s Coach Mastery program. Feel free to get in touch with with one of our clarity coaches directly, by calling 1-800-303-2399.



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Health Coach Institute provides aspiring Health and Life Coaches with the tools, training, and support to make a great living transforming lives.