The Dennis Learning Center offers free one-on-one appointments for Ohio State students. Trained in learning and motivation strategies, Academic Coaches help undergraduate, graduate, and professional students examine academic strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies that lead to success.
Common reasons for meeting with an Academic Coach:
- Staying ahead on work and reducing procrastination
- Building effective study methods
- Overcoming test anxiety
- Improving test-taking strategies
- Learning more from readings and lectures
- Becoming a confident and resilient student
- Memorizing more information in less time
- Developing a thorough plan for tackling midterms and finals
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I go for my appointment?
- We offer coaching at three locations!
- Younkin Success Center. The Dennis Learning Center is located on the second floor of the Younkin Success Center, 1640 Neil Avenue [Campus Map].
- Check in at the front desk and your coach will meet you there.
- Busch House. We offer academic coaching for undergraduates who live on campus at Busch House (North Campus, 2115 N. High Street).
- Go to room 141 and knock on the door to let your coach know that you have arrived.
- FAES Library. We offer academic coaching for all students on FAES/West campus in the FAES Library study rooms (2120 Fyffe Road).
- Locate the study room that has the DLC sign on the door (045D, E, F, G, or H). Knock on the door to let your coach know that you have arrived.
- Younkin Success Center. The Dennis Learning Center is located on the second floor of the Younkin Success Center, 1640 Neil Avenue [Campus Map].
How do I prepare for the appointment?
- Think about the specific goals you have for setting the appointment and be ready to communicate those with the coach when you arrive. The more clear it is what you hope to achieve by coming to us, the more specific the coach can make their recommendations.
Do I need to bring anything?
- Appointments are personalized to your own concerns, strengths, and weaknesses, so the only things required are your presence and willingness to brainstorm.
- Some students like to get specific feedback on their note-taking, reading, or test-taking methods by bringing in a notebook, textbook, or test. You are welcome to do so, although this is optional. While we do not offer subject-specific tutoring, we are able to give feedback on the strategies you are using in any class or subject.
- If you use a planner, it is helpful to bring this to show your coach how you organize your schedule.
What can I expect during a coaching appointment?
- The Academic Coach will get to know you as an individual (e.g., How have things been going at Ohio State? What classes are you taking? What are your goals?) and assess your current study strategies.
- The Academic Coach will suggest new strategies and demonstrate how you can use them in your life and work collaboratively with you to develop a personalized plan of action to help you reach your academic goals.
How do I provide feedback about my appointment?
- We are continually seeking to improve our appointment services. Please share your thoughts with us by completing this brief feedback survey following your appointment.