University isn't only about responding when something goes wrong. Sometimes you may want someone to help you work out where you want to go, what might be getting in the way and what practical steps could help you move forward.
The University's Student Success Coaches (SSCs) — previously known as Academic Coaches — are here to help you thrive academically, personally and professionally.
Whether you're adjusting to university life, trying to improve your motivation, thinking about your future or simply want somebody to talk things through with, your Student Success Coach can be a dedicated partner in helping you succeed.
What Is Student Success Coaching?
Student Success Coaching is a personalised and student-centred approach focused on your development and achievement.
It is a collaborative process. Your coach isn't there to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, they can help you think about:
Where am I now? → Where would I like to be? → What's getting in the way? → What could I try? → What's my next step?
The University makes an important distinction: Student Success Coaching is not counselling, mentoring or academic advising. It has its own purpose — helping you identify goals, develop confidence and turn your intentions into action.
What Can I Work on With My Coach?
You don't need to have a particular “problem” before meeting your coach.
Your coach can work with you to:
- explore your strengths and challenges;
- identify meaningful academic and personal goals;
- develop your confidence;
- improve motivation;
- develop time-management strategies;
- think about your wellbeing;
- identify practical actions;
- connect with other University resources and opportunities; and
- think about your future and what you want to achieve.
The important thing is that the conversation is about you and what you want to achieve.
Coaching Can Be Preventative
You don't need to wait until you are struggling.
In fact, coaching can be particularly valuable when things are going reasonably well but there is something you would like to improve.
You might decide:
“I want to be more confident.”
“I keep putting my assignments off and want to manage my time better.”
“I've lost some motivation.”
“I want to feel more organised.”
“I want to make more of my time at University.”
“I don't really know where I'm heading after my degree.”
These are all useful things to explore through coaching.
Building Confidence and Motivation
Confidence can affect many parts of university life.
You might understand your subject but lack confidence speaking in seminars. You might know what you need to do but find it difficult to get started. Or you may compare yourself with other students and feel that everybody else is coping better than you.
A coach can help you explore what is contributing to this and develop strategies for moving forward.
The University's current Student Success Coaching information says students who meet regularly with their coach often report increased confidence and motivation, better academic performance, a stronger sense of belonging and clearer career direction.
Managing Your Time and Staying Motivated
University study often involves much more independent learning than students have previously experienced.
Suddenly you may need to balance:
teaching • independent study • assessments • employment • family • relationships • travel • rest • university life
A coach can help you think about how you are managing those competing demands and develop strategies that work for you.
The aim isn't to create the “perfect” timetable. It is to help you develop realistic approaches that you can actually use.
Feeling Like You Belong
Success at university isn't only about marks.
Feeling connected to your course, other students and the wider University can also matter.
The University's Student Success Coaching model specifically identifies a stronger sense of belonging as one of the benefits students commonly report from engaging regularly with coaching.
If you're finding it difficult to settle into University, feel disconnected or aren't sure how to become more involved, this is something you can talk through with your coach.
Something Has Happened, and I've Lost My Way
Sometimes a difficult experience can disrupt more than the immediate part of your life.
You may have experienced:
- bereavement or loss;
- mental or physical ill health;
- financial difficulties;
- housing problems;
- relationship difficulties;
- caring responsibilities;
- harassment or abuse;
- a period away from your studies;
- another difficult personal circumstance.
You may already have received specialist help with the immediate problem but still feel:
“I've lost my confidence.”
“I can't get back into a routine.”
“I don't feel connected to my course anymore.”
“I know what I need to do, but I can't seem to get started.”
This is where coaching may form part of moving forward.
You don't necessarily need to discuss everything that has happened. You can decide what you want to share and focus your coaching on the goal you want to achieve.
Regular One-to-One Support
Student Success Coaching isn't necessarily a one-off conversation.
The University's model includes invitations to regular one-to-one sessions with your coach, which can take place in person or online.
Sessions are informal and tailored to your individual needs.
You can also reach out to your coach to book a session or ask a question.
That ongoing relationship can be particularly useful because you can:
set a goal → try something → see what happened → review it with your coach → decide what to do next.
Coaching and Academic Support Are Different
Your Student Success Coach can help you think about your goals, motivation, confidence, organisation and approach to studying, but they don't replace specialist academic support.
For example:
“I can't motivate myself to start my assignment.”
→ This could be useful to explore with your Student Success Coach.
“I don't understand how to structure an academic essay.”
→ Skills for Learning may be the more appropriate specialist service.
“I don't understand something I've been taught on my course.”
→ Speak with your academic team.
Sometimes you may benefit from more than one type of support.
Coaching and Mental Health Support Are Different Too
Student Success Coaching is not counselling or specialist mental health treatment.
You can absolutely talk to your coach about things such as motivation, confidence and wellbeing, but if you are experiencing mental health difficulties requiring specialist assessment or therapeutic support, the University's Mental Health & Wellbeing Team may be more appropriate.
You can use both services.
For example, you might be working therapeutically with Mental Health & Wellbeing around anxiety while using coaching to help rebuild your routine, confidence and engagement with university life.
Coaching and Support to Study
Student Success Coaching and Support to Study also have different purposes.
Coaching is a developmental relationship focused on helping you grow, set goals and take action.
Support to Study provides a more structured support framework where health, wellbeing or personal circumstances are significantly affecting your ability to engage successfully with your studies.
If your circumstances require more coordinated support or involvement from several University services, Support to Study may therefore be appropriate.
Your coach can still be an important part of your wider support network.
Connecting You With Opportunities and Support
You aren't expected to know about every service, opportunity or resource available at the University.
Part of your coach's role is helping you connect with University resources and opportunities that may help you achieve your goals.
Depending on what you want to achieve, that might mean exploring support or opportunities elsewhere in the University.
The coach doesn't need to become the specialist in everything. They can help you recognise when another service might add something useful.
Thinking About Your Future
Student Success Coaching isn't only focused on getting through your next assignment.
The University's approach includes your personal and professional development, and students who engage regularly with coaching report clearer career direction.
You might want to explore questions such as:
What am I good at?
What matters to me?
What would I like to achieve before I graduate?
What kind of future am I working towards?
If you want more specialist careers advice, your coach can complement the support available through Careers, Employability & Success.
From Starting University to Preparing to Graduate
Student Success Coaching can be relevant at different stages of your student journey.
Starting University might be about settling in, developing routines and building confidence.
During your course, it might be about motivation, managing competing demands or setting new goals.
Approaching graduation, it may involve thinking about what you have achieved and where you want to go next.
The University's coaching offer is designed to support students whether they are just starting or preparing to graduate.
Your Goals, Your Progress
Perhaps the most important thing about coaching is that you don't need to be in difficulty to benefit from it.
You can use coaching because you want to:
grow • develop • become more confident • get organised • improve motivation • feel more connected • set yourself a challenge • prepare for your future
Your university experience is about more than overcoming problems.
Sometimes support is about helping you recognise what you are capable of and turning a goal into something you can actually begin working towards.
Meet Your Student Success Coach
You will be invited to regular one-to-one sessions with your coach, either in person or online, and you can also contact your coach to arrange a session or ask a question.