Navigating College

At a Glance

Who it’s for: Rising first-year, second-year, and transfer college students
Format: Small-group virtual workshop
Schedule: Wednesdays: July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, Aug 5
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM EST (90 minutes, 5 weeks)
Focus: Organization, planning, communication, and self-advocacy

What this workshop supports

Navigating College is designed for students who want to approach college with greater clarity and independence, rather than learning everything the hard way. The workshop integrates executive function skill-building with leadership development, treating students as emerging adults who are learning how to navigate complex systems, make intentional choices, and take responsibility for their growth.

Rather than focusing only on academics, the workshop addresses the full college experience, including planning, communication, routines, stress management, and involvement. The emphasis is on building skills and systems that students can use across semesters and transitions.

Over the course of the workshop, students will learn how to:

• Navigate college systems and resources independently
• Build realistic weekly and semester-long plans
• Communicate clearly and confidently with professors, advisors, and campus staff
• Design routines that support health, focus, and follow-through
• Anticipate predictable stress points in the college calendar and plan ahead
• Practice foundational leadership skills such as self-advocacy, accountability, and self-awareness

How the workshop works

The workshop is organized into interactive modules that reflect the real challenges students face in college. Topics include understanding institutional resources, designing productive study and living spaces, scheduling and planning for college-level work, communicating effectively with adults, managing daily life logistics, building healthy habits, navigating stress, and understanding the rhythm of the college year.

Students engage in guided activities such as planning from a syllabus, practicing professional communication, mapping routines and responsibilities, and reflecting on involvement choices. The goal is not to do everything at once, but to help students build systems and habits that support independence, balance, and follow-through over time.

By the end of the workshop, students leave with practical tools, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of how to navigate college intentionally, both academically and personally.