Editorial: Exclusionary coaching

By the Editorial Staff

 

From our survey results on page 5, it is clear that the majority of students are pleased with their success coaches. We have no question about the coaches’ expertise and hard work, but we are concerned that there is not enough incentive for high achievers to use the resource nor a coach specifically set apart for the unique needs of such individuals.

Our editorial team is comprised of individuals who maintain between a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA. We are student leaders involved in a variety of organizations and have been able to navigate college life on our own. We could conclude our college careers without ever having stepped into a coach’s office.

However, our tuition helps pay for resources like the success coaches, and we have our own unique struggles that the coaches may consider more actively addressing to engage our interest.

A few of us have experienced difficulty in the past when trying to set up meetings with a success coach. With 800 or so traditional students and only six coaches, the coaches are understandably very busy. However, as student leaders with rigorous course loads, high achievers have very inflexible schedules. We suggest perhaps setting aside one success coach specifically for such students.

Additionally, high achievers do not need tips on getting their grade point averages up, graduation or even securing an internship. They have invested so much in Lakeland that there is also no worry about them dropping out or transferring. This said, a success coach tailored to them would be equipped with distinctive skills.

A major concern for high achievers is burnout. With so many people relying on them all the time, what can they do when life takes an unexpected turn and the responsibilities are too much? It would be very helpful to have someone advise them on how to create realistic schedules and learn to say “no” when there is just too much to do. If high achievers had a success coach dedicated to them, perhaps the individual could even sit in on student and academic advisor meetings to give their input on schedules.

Success coaches working specifically with bright students could also do even more to help them explore career options. For individuals with degrees such as writing, there is not always a clear path as to what career opportunities are available. Success coaches could play a crucial role in helping the students explore options and arrange meetings with specific employers in the surrounding areas.

Additionally, most high achievers are dedicated to this college already, but one factor that may strip them from the school is finances. With high grades and leadership experience, these students are prime candidates for scholarships but applying for them can be confusing.

A success coach tailored to high achievers could overlook scholarship applications and essays, and they could give advice on when it is proper to follow up with the people reviewing such applications because few students know the proper etiquette.

If we shared all of our ideas for a success coach tailored to high achieving students, the list would be endless. We believe that success coaches are making an enormous difference in the lives of many individuals; however, we simply suggest considering ways to incite the interest of those students who feel like they have everything under control because, deep inside, we could honestly use a lot of help, too.