
Why MB Balanced Coaching & Mentoring?
The transition from high school to college is challenging and viewed by many as
“a time of floundering.”
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College students are challenged by:
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Academic rigor
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Loss of parental supervision
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Reduced structure
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Time management
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Issues with Executive Functioning
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College students facing these struggles may experience significant challenges that can affect both their academic performance and overall well-being:
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1.   Academic rigor: College often presents more demanding coursework than students are used to. If students aren’t prepared for the increased workload and difficulty, they may feel overwhelmed, leading to stress, anxiety, or burnout. Some may experience a drop in academic performance or even fail courses.  2.   Loss of parental supervision: Without the oversight that parents often provide, students are fully responsible for their decisions. This newfound independence can lead to poor choices, such as neglecting their studies, oversleeping, or mismanaging finances. Some may find it difficult to maintain a healthy balance between academics and social life.   3.   Reduced structure: College schedules tend to be less structured than high school, and students have to create their own routines. Without structure, students might struggle with consistency in studying, attending classes, or meeting deadlines, which can result in poor academic performance or feelings of disorganization.   4.   Time management: The demands of academic work, social life, and sometimes part-time jobs can be overwhelming without good time management skills. Students may find it difficult to prioritize tasks, resulting in procrastination, missed deadlines, or cramming for exams, all of which can negatively impact their grades. 5.   Issues with Executive Functioning: Executive functions like planning, organizing, problem-solving, and controlling impulses are crucial for academic success. Students with executive functioning difficulties may struggle to complete assignments, remember important dates, or break larger tasks into manageable steps. This can lead to academic underperformance and increased stress. ​In combination, these factors can increase the risk of academic failure, emotional distress, and even dropping out. However, with support systems in place (like counseling services, academic advising, and time management training), students can learn to overcome these challenges.
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College students experience:
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Underdeveloped self regulation
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Lack of self awareness
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Deficient self advocacy skills
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Shortage of self discipline
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These terms describe various challenges that college students may face in managing their academic and personal responsibilities:
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1.Underdeveloped self-regulation: This refers to a student’s difficulty in managing their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve long-term goals. They may struggle with time management, procrastination, and balancing their studies with social activities. 2.Lack of self-awareness: This means the student is not fully conscious of their strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and how their actions affect others. They may have difficulty identifying their needs or recognizing when they need help. 3.Deficient self-advocacy skills: Students with this challenge struggle to communicate their needs, ask for help, or advocate for themselves in academic or social settings. They may not know how to seek accommodations or assistance when necessary. 4.Shortage of self-discipline: This means that the student has difficulty controlling impulses or staying focused on tasks. They may give in to distractions easily, neglect important responsibilities, or fail to follow through on commitments. These challenges can affect academic performance and personal development but can be addressed with support, coaching, and skill-building strategies.
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College students struggle with:
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Depleted confidence
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Struggles with success
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Parental-child relationship strain
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Shortfall of balance in life
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These struggles can significantly impact a college student’s mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being:
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1.   Depleted confidence: When students face academic or social challenges, they may begin to doubt their abilities, leading to lower self-esteem. This can create a cycle of underperformance, where lack of confidence prevents them from taking risks, participating in class, or seeking help, which in turn leads to more setbacks and reinforces their doubts.  2.   Struggles with success: Transitioning to the higher demands of college can make it difficult for students to maintain the level of success they achieved in high school. They may experience disappointment or frustration when they don’t meet their own or others’ expectations, leading to feelings of failure and added stress. Some students might avoid challenges to protect themselves from further disappointment. 3.   Parental strained relationship: The shift toward independence in college often changes the dynamics of the parent-child relationship. Parents may still try to provide guidance, but students might push back, seeking autonomy. This tension can lead to misunderstandings, resentment, or less communication, which can increase feelings of isolation or stress for the student. 4.   Shortfall of balance in life: College students often struggle to find a balance between academics, social life, personal time, and, in some cases, work. Without balance, they can become overwhelmed, either by focusing too much on one area (like overworking academically) or neglecting others (such as personal well-being or relationships). This imbalance can lead to burnout, poor academic performance, and mental health issues like anxiety or depression. ​These struggles can significantly affect a student’s ability to thrive in college, but with support, mentorship, and developing coping strategies, they can learn to navigate these challenges successfully.