Peer Academic Coaching

Peer academic coaching is a free resource for students of any level or discipline who want to develop their academic success skills. Our friendly peer academic coaches (PACs) are highly trained undergraduate students who can help students strengthen their skills in time management, studying, note-taking, test-taking, active reading, overcoming procrastination, goal-setting, and more. See a PAC through in-person or virtual individual appointments or by attending our Seminar Series on Academic Success.

Scheduling

Peer academic coaching has now concluded for the fall semester and will resume on January 27. Spring scheduling will become available on Navigate during the first week of classes.

To request disability accommodations, please email studentsuccess@vt.edu at least ten days in advance.

If you would like weekly appointments, you are welcome to schedule them yourself through Navigate. You will be able to view three weeks at a time.

Cancelling appointments

Please cancel unneeded appointments through Navigate at least 24 hours in advance. Here's How to Cancel (PDF)

No show policy

Students who do not show up or cancel at the last minute (within four hours) three or more times in a semester can be temporarily banned from making appointments.

What Can a PAC Help Me With?

PACs can help you define and work toward personal goals related to your overall academic success. Popular coaching topics include studying and learning strategies, time management, overcoming procrastination, test-taking skills, note-taking skills, active reading strategies, and managing online courses. PACs cannot help with graded work before it is graded without written permission from your instructor.

What are coaching appointments like?

Your PAC will ask what you want to get out of coaching and explain how they can help. Then you’ll get to work. Be ready to participate! As peers, PACs aren’t here to lecture or judge. They offer fresh perspectives and activities to help you find the strategy that works best for you.

Will academic coaching help me get an A in my classes?

All students have different situations and goals, so there’s no guaranteed outcome for coaching. However, if you truly commit to developing your academic success skills, you will:

• Think about your current learning strategies and habits
• Understand what changes you can make to improve your grades
• Have specific strategies to use now and in your future classes
• Become a more efficient learner by studying smarter, not just harder