Ever Wonder What Really Happens in College ADHD Coaching?

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens in college ADHD coaching, the answer is: it depends.

It depends on the student, their goals, challenges, workload, and what their brain needs most that week. That’s because our approach isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every session is tailored to each student’s unique learning style and executive functioning profile.

At NextStep Navigators, we work with:

• College students at all levels, from first-years to graduate students

• High school juniors and seniors preparing for the transition to college

• Students across every major, including STEM, humanities, and fine arts

Some students meet with us for intensive 1:1 ADHD coaching, while others join group coaching programs where they learn to structure study plans, stay accountable, and apply proven strategies for focus and follow-through.

Our coaches are all master’s-level behavior analysts, which means our methods are grounded in behavioral science. We help students build sustainable habits, increase motivation, and use data-driven tools to make real progress.

A Day in the Life of a College ADHD Coach

This morning started with a cup of tea and a review of all my students’ planners. I looked at their upcoming week, checked deadlines, and sent personalized texts to a few students who needed a little extra accountability or encouragement.

Then came my first student session of the day, and it was a busy one.

This student was juggling several academic challenges at once.

• Math confusion: Their instructor, a graduate student, had taught a few concepts incorrectly and emailed an apology after realizing the mistake. The student was understandably stressed about mastering the right material. Together, we identified on-campus tutoring options, practiced how to email the supervising professor for clarification, and walked through the exact language to use.

• Online class overwhelm: The same student was struggling with an online course that felt abstract and arbitrary. With no real lectures, they didn’t know what mattered most. We opened the syllabus, pulled out the chapter-specific learning objectives (which they had forgotten were there), matched them to PowerPoints, and built a clear study roadmap that connected concepts to goals.

• Exam prep and planning: We then looked ahead to an upcoming exam. Together, we anchored every to-do for the week to specific times in their calendar. By the end, they said they felt more in control, less anxious, more prepared, and ready to tackle the week.

My next session was with a student currently taking classes at a community college while preparing to return to their university. We talked through what led to taking time away, how they’ve grown since, and how to carry those new skills forward. We also addressed the emotional side, processing grief and frustration, and reframing their return as a success story. Then we made a concrete plan for the week, complete with study strategies rooted in behavior science and reinforcement-based planning.

Later in the day, I reviewed PowerPoints and notes sent by a few students and helped them turn that material into effective study resources such as study guides, Quizlets, and mock exams. I sent those back with instructions on how to use active recall and spaced repetition instead of the old “read and re-read” method that rarely works for ADHD brains.

The evening wrapped up with a body doubling session, a virtual study and work session that helps students focus and get things done alongside others. For many, it’s a game-changer for motivation and follow-through.

Why Our ADHD Coaching Works

Our coaching isn’t just about getting homework done. It’s about helping students understand how their brains work and use that knowledge to thrive in college.

Because every one of our coaches is a behavior analyst, we use principles from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and behavioral psychology to help students:

• Build effective study habits

• Increase self-regulation and task initiation

• Reduce avoidance and procrastination

• Improve organization, planning, and follow-through

• Manage emotional responses to stress and academic setbacks

Each session blends evidence-based strategies with genuine human support so students learn how to learn, how to plan, and how to succeed independently over time.

Real Support. Real Science. Real Results.

College ADHD coaching looks different for everyone, and that’s exactly the point. Whether it’s helping a student approach a tough professor, build a personalized study system, or simply regain confidence, our goal is to meet them where they are and walk beside them toward success.

If your student is feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, or stuck, they don’t have to figure it out alone.