The Center for Academic Success offers academic coaching as a form of academic support to help undergraduate students achieve their academic potential.  In one-on-one meetings, our academic coaches connect with students from all different majors, class standing, and background to help them be successful in the classroom. Academic Coaches work with students to develop: study techniques, test preparation, time management, organization, adjustments to college, or any other academic need. Through ongoing coaching, academic coaches work to improve and support students’ executive functioning skills as they progress through Furman and enter the workforce.

When a student comes to an academic coaching meeting, we determine what the student may be struggling with, how they can best be supported in their academic journey, set attainable goals, and develop plans for success. Once we have determined what a student needs or goals they are trying to achieve, we create a plan on how to get there. This may include: utilizing new effective study skills, tips on how to tackle large amounts of reading, and how to “chunk” their day to be most productive.

Many first-year students find Academic Coaching beneficial as they transition from high school to college. We encourage students to make an appointment with our office to discuss how to be successful in college, how to connect with faculty, and how to manage a large workload.

Academic Coaching can help all students in all courses. If you think that your student is struggling with course content, they can meet with an academic coach or you can refer them to PAL (Peer Assisted Learning). Our academic coaches work with students in developing study strategies, working on time management, test preparation, tracking assignments, accountability, managing reading, planning long-term, and avoiding procrastination.

The Center for Academic Success contains professional, full-time staff that are able to assist students. All staff facilitates coaching sessions with a student-focused mindset that includes emphasis on Holistic well-being and the Furman Advantage. We do have some academic coaches that specialize in working with students who have learning differences and multi-lingual learners.

At this time, we do not offer group coaching. If this is something you think might be beneficial for your students or your class, please email: cas@furman.edu to discuss.

Academic Coaching can focus on course content and course selection, but it is typically much broader. Peer Assisted Learning focuses exclusively on course content. Our student consultants are available to help students with course-specific content. PAL should be used when a student is struggling to understand course content. Academic Advising focuses on class registration and selection of major/minor. Advisors are available to guide students through their academic course plans during their time at Furman. Academic Coaching focuses more on providing students with support for executive functioning skills and how to implement these skills throughout all of their classes during their time at Furman.

The Center for Academic Success at Furman University is to support all undergraduate students in achieving their academic potential and goals through individual and campus-wide initiatives that foster self-regulation and self-advocacy in academic and personal growth.

1.) Link to the CAS Website on your Moodle Page.

Students can access all of our resources, as well as fill out the Academic Coach Request Form to make an appointment with an Academic Coach.

www.furman.edu/cas

2.) Include a paragraph describing CAS in your syllabus 

Please feel free to copy and paste this blurb:

The Center for Academic Success (CAS) offers resources to assist Furman students with their intellectual experience. Support resources are available to students at no charge. The Center for Academic Success is located on the lower level of the James B. Duke Library (Office 002). Resources include and are not limited to: time management and organization support, learning and study strategies, academic skills workshops, and one-on-one academic coaching with professional staff members. The Center for Academic Success can be reached at cas@furman.edu or (864) 294-2343. Virtual resources are available at: https://furman.edu/cas. Appointments preferred but are not necessary.

Yes, students are able to make standing appointments with their Academic Coach. We offer 3 types of appointments: weekly, bi-weekly, or as- needed. Students should work with their Academic Coach to determine what type of appointment works best.

Academic Coaching is available whenever undergraduate classes are in session. We are available Fall Semester, Spring Semester, May X, Summer I, and Summer II.

You can suggest that students in that situation make an appointment with an Academic Coach at The Center for Academic Success. We will help determine what might be getting in the way of test performance and work together to implement some new study skills and test-taking strategies.

You should recommend your student visit The Center for Academic Success and make an Academic Coaching appointment. We will work with the student to determine academic-related issues and refer to campus support as necessary. You may also contact the SOAR (Student Office for Accessibility Resources) office and a staff member can help with how to approach the student about your concerns. The SOAR office can also help with how to best support your student in the classroom with their learning disability.

Yes, absolutely! You should encourage your student to fill out the Academic Coach Request Form to make an appointment. The coach and student can work together to determine what strategies the student is currently using, determine new strategies that might be helpful, and construct a plan on how to tackle reading assignments for the remainder of the semester.