Now having a coach doesn’t necessarily mean breaking a sweat from physical activity-not unless straightening out one’s academic life sounds like a perspiration-inducing task, that is.

Fran Lang and Kathy Wildman recently launched a new program at Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning called Academic Coaching.

Beginning on Nov. 17, student coaches selected by Lang and Wildman will set out to help students balance their time better.

Lang and Wildman developed the idea after working with students who benefited from coaching they had provided. They compared the new program to the relationship between a player and a coach in athletics.

“Athletes have coaches to help them understand what they need to do to achieve success and to cheer them on in the process,” said Lang. “An academic coach is similar to an athletic coach or personal trainer, in that they partner with students to help them understand how, for example, to improve their time management and their ability to organize and prioritize their responsibilities.”

Six student coaches have undergone training this semester. Gabe Highstein from the Division of Health Behavior and Research at the School of Medicine, Ed Fisher, professor of psychology and director of the Division of Health Behavior and Research, and Craig Woodsmall, psychologist in Student Health and Counseling, have advised these students. Lang and Wildman also supervised the training process.

Currently, each coach is paired with one “coachee.” The two are expected to meet consistently to help the “coachee” effectively manage his or her time and find a way to integrate schoolwork with activities and a social life.

Coaches underwent a selection process during training, and many have had previous experience. For example, several are in Uncle Joe’s or have served as peer advisors for first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Sophomore Jessica Prince, a coach, loves being able to help with the program.

“The University has RAs, TAs, Student Health Services, and this is one more support system,” said Prince. “I used many resources last year, and I just wanted to be part of that support system this year. That’s my priority.”

Another coach, sophomore Kim Platt, said that she became interested in the program as a result of her involvement in peer advising.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people,” said Platt. “Instead of having to go to an adult and have them tell you how to change your ways of working, you can talk to a peer.”

Platt said that she currently has one advisee with whom she meets once or twice a week.

“She’s actually really on top of things,” said Platt. “She just needs someone there to tell her that she’s doing things right and she can succeed.”

Students who are interested in coaching or being coached should contact Lang in Cornerstone.

“The expected benefit of working with a coach is that students will be better equipped to meet their academic goals and will experience greater satisfaction from their college experience,” said Lang.

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