Navigating the complex world of college can be daunting for many students.
From selecting courses to planning career paths, the decisions that students make during their college years can significantly impact their futures. These decisions are also being made while students are weaving through obstacles to persistence, finding themselves, and contemplating the larger questions in life.
Academic advisors and success coaches play a crucial role in guiding students through these decisions. One of the most effective tools at their disposal is the humble worksheet. Worksheets can help streamline the advising process, making it more interactive, organized, and student-centered. In this post, we’ll explore how advisors and coaches can use worksheets to enhance their interactions with students and support their academic and personal growth.
First, worksheets can be used before or during a meeting. Using a worksheet can be a planned activity in the meeting that’s part of the advisor’s regular process, or used spontaneously if they’re having a hard time getting the information they need from the student.
Whether the use of worksheets is a planned activity, or used on the spot when the situation calls for it, there are several ways a worksheet can help.
Goal Setting
Worksheets can facilitate goal setting, encouraging students to think critically about their aspirations and progress. These activities help students stay motivated and focused.
Reflection
Worksheets are an easy way to introduce self-reflection into the advising meeting, using worksheets with questions that prompt students to reflect on their academic experiences, life challenges, and successes. Regular reflection can help students identify areas for improvement and recognize their achievements while boosting self-awareness.
Time Management & Study Skills
Effective time management and study skills are essential for academic success. Worksheets can provide practical strategies and help students develop these crucial skills. For example, a worksheet where students can plan their weekly schedule, including classes, study time, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments.
Career Exploration
Advisors can use worksheets to help students explore career options and plan for their future beyond college. These tools can guide students in identifying their strengths, interests, and potential career paths.
Meeting Preparation
Worksheets can help students come to their meetings with advisors ready to discuss their concerns and plans. For example, a pre-meeting questionnaire gives questions that students can fill out before their advising session. This helps them organize their thoughts and ensures they cover all relevant topics during the meeting. This worksheet can also include questions that assess if a student’s basic needs are being met. This will help the advisor screen for this and then match the appropriate campus or community resources.
Icebreaking
Worksheets that present icebreaker questions can lead to fun conversations at the start of meetings, helping to disarm students, build trust, and increase the chances of important student self-disclosures later in the meeting. This is an example of a quick worksheet that students can complete in the office waiting room.
Worksheets like this are versatile and powerful tools that can enhance the advising process and empower students to take charge of their academic and personal development.
Ultimately, the strategic use of worksheets can contribute to a more effective and meaningful advising experience, fostering student success in college and beyond.
Click here to download a bundle of student success worksheets that can be used by your team to engage students, ideally leading to greater retention and student success. Teams may also want to consider earning a certificate in success coaching, academic advising training, faculty advising training, or a certificate in student affairs leadership.
