Thank you to our sponsors who keep this newsletter free to the reader:
Learn how to become an Executive Function Coach by downloading our comprehensive framework to start your coaching business. Learn more.
Today, I will guide you through the process I've repeatedly used to help college students turn in assignments on time and learn to manage school.
Many college students are struggling not only to submit assignments but also to initiate tasks.
While this may sound trivial to some, this lack of executive function skills causes many issues for students, colleges, and the nation as a whole, including:
Increased college drop-out rates
Reduced skilled labor in the professional workforce
A burden on parents who support adult children who "fail to launch"
Why does this matter?
Executive function skills are what help students succeed not just in school but in life. These are skills like:
Self-control
Planning
Self-awareness
Time management
Organization
Sustained attention
And much more.
Students with better executive function skills have better life outcomes based on peer-reviewed research:
“... interventions that achieve even small improvements in self-control for individuals could shift the entire distribution of outcomes in a salutary direction and yield large improvements in health, wealth, and crime rate for a nation”
While turning in assignments may seem inconsequential to some, educators and parents know that teaching these skills helps students address other common challenges, such as:
Getting distracted by social media
Feeling overwhelmed by big tasks
Engaging in self-destructive behaviors like excessive video gaming
Why are many college students not turning in their assignments?
While challenges continue to transform with the rise of AI and the increased dependence on social media, there are a few commonalities I've seen among college students that make college overwhelming.
Independence Overload
Many college students struggle to manage their newfound independence, which often leads to procrastination.
For instance, a student might spend hours scrolling social media instead of starting an assignment, underestimating how long it takes to complete.
Lack of Proactive Support
Schools sometimes only intervene once a problem arises rather than identifying students who may need support upfront, leaving students feeling stuck or unsure where to turn for help.
Long-Term Assignments Feel Overwhelming
Extended assignments can be challenging to tackle. Students often find breaking them into smaller steps difficult, leading to last-minute panic and incomplete work.
How to guide college students to turn in their assignments
Here is the step-by-step process I've used to guide countless college students on the verge of academic probation.
By following these steps, you can help them pass their classes back and feel renewed confidence in the college process.
Step 1: Identify All Upcoming and Missing Assignments
Many college students struggle to keep track of their current status across classes, often becoming overwhelmed and “giving up” which leads to:
Excessive video gaming and YouTubing
Drug and alcohol use
Prioritizing parties over study time
You can support them by guiding them in gathering all upcoming and missing assignments from syllabi, teacher websites, and any online portals in one place.
I recommend using my Student Dashboard template, which you can download from our templates library.
For a detailed guide on how to use the Student Dashboard, check out the article:
Step 2: Propose a Plan to Teachers for Passing the Class
Since most students start working with an executive function coach when things have already taken a downturn, there is usually little time left in the semester.
When squeezed for time, teachers tend to be less flexible.
Coaches should guide students to connect with each teacher to propose a plan for earning a passing grade. For a detailed guide on how to support students in communicating with their teachers, check out my article:
If connecting with a teacher is challenging, students with special needs should contact student support services or the disability resource department to explore accommodation and advocacy options.
Step 3: Negotiate a Plan with Each Teacher
Once a connection is made, clarify expectations with each teacher, setting specific deadlines and agreements.
Getting these commitments in writing via email or a school portal is ideal as it may be necessary later on to reference these agreements should the professor be inflexible when there is a legitimate learning disability that must be accounted for.
Step 4: Put in the Work
With a plan in place, it’s time to get to work. Coaches should use every available resource—coaching sessions, peer tutoring, body doubling, or any additional campus services—to help the student stay on track and make consistent progress.
As a coach, parent, or educator, consider using the power of motivational interviewing to support your student. These articles will help you learn those key skills:
Step 5: Reflect and Plan for Future Success
Use this experience to create a more proactive plan for the future that includes early communication with teachers, leveraging campus resources, and supporting mental and physical health through diet, exercise, and sleep.
As Jay-Z says, “There are no losses, only lessons.”
The goal is to shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one, setting the foundation for a smoother semester ahead.
For more on the habits that helped me graduate with honors as a college student with ADHD, check out this video 👇
Summary
By following these steps, you’ll help college students take ownership of their learning, reduce stress, and develop the skills they’ll need to thrive long after they leave the classroom.
Here are the steps you can take to guide your college student toward submitting assignments on time:
Gather all upcoming and missing assignments from syllabi, teacher websites, and portals.
Connect with each teacher to propose a passing plan.
Negotiate clear deadlines with each teacher, ideally in writing.
Follow the plan, using resources like coaching, tutoring, and peer support.
Reflect and create a proactive plan for next semester, focusing on communication, campus resources, and self-care.
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
Other helpful articles about managing college
P.S. These are skills that executive function coaches work on with their students. If you want to try working on them with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.