Tag: academic coaching

What’s the plan? What’s next for you?

I help a variety of students and am so lucky that I receive enough referrals that I don’t have to advertise. However, I do need to post some updates for the newbies who find their way here. My last two-year-old post isn’t sending anyone my way, and I want to start helping more students.

I always need to tell a little story first.

It’s that annoying thing when you look up a recipe online, and the lovely gal has to tell you the entire world history of sourdough before she gets to the point. In her defense, if you want to show up on a Google search, you have to have a crap ton of words in the post. “Crap ton” is a crude way to say at least 1,500 words. Really, one would have to go on and on about the etymology of a single word just to come up with that many. So, the history of “academic planning” dates all the way back to….kidding. Basicallly, you can’t just put the recipe and expect any traction, so that’s why those cutie-pie, made-from-scratch-applie-pie ladies have so much text in their posts. Also, I know only two people actually read these little paragraphs, so I can basically fill it with whatever gibberish I want. Clearly.

So, here goes… ➡️ or, JUMP TO THE RECIPE now. 😉

I recently went to Santa Barbara, California, for a week-long personal reset and solo business planning meeting to make a plan for the academic year. Yes, I am one lucky little lady. I don’t pretend I’m not. Before the trip, I went to see my most favorite henna artist in Houston for some temporary ink inspiration. I told her about the dreams, wishes, and goals I wanted to focus on and manifest during my trip, and she designed this beautiful artwork for me. I always want to support small-business owners, so if you’re in Houston and would like to get some henna or join a meditation session, please check out her lovely Instagram page and book an appointment.

I currently have two academic coaching options, so I’ll list those here and on a separate page.

First, mommas and poppas, do you have high school students who need a little guidance on academic planning? Send them my way. Look–I know that you know what to tell them. I know you love them and will give them wonderful advice to set them up for success. I also know that they won’t be able to hear it from you. Seriously, it’s by design. If they acknowledged, respected, and acted on all your advice, they would never move out. It’s too good; they would be your sweet babies forever and never fully form. I fully believe it’s built into the DNA that teens repel parental advice. Send them my way. I’ll whip them into shape.

Second, my wonderful GED-seeking students, do you need some coaching and tutoring to prep for the test? I am still and will always be your gal. I am changing my coaching options just slightly. I had a big epiphany on my trip, and I think my new plan is going to work best for everyone.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for the upvote on the Google search. Please send any students who may benefit from some academic coaching my way. Let’s figure out your plan and what’s next for you.

xoxo,
Dr. Andie
DrAndieB@gmail.com or 508.768.5808

P.S. Okay. All that nonsense only got me up to 550 words, so I think I’ll tell you about my Santa Barbara trip. If I’m going to start blogging again regularly, then I should at least do a proper blog with a high quality quantity word count. If you’re still reading, you’re either related to me or you’re procrastinating from studying, so I bet you’ll allow it.

Let’s talk about planning and goal setting. When was the last time you set an intention for the day, week, or longer? When I went on this trip, I set many personal and work intentions, but I deliberately went to figure a plan on out how to charge my GED students. The real answer is that I want it to be free. Many programs offer it for free. Ideally, I’d love to connect with a non-profit organization that helps the GED-seeking population and have them send me all of their students. I haven’t had much success with that yet, but if you know of a group that may be a good fit, please reach out.

Here’s the problem. We–really, all of us–don’t appreciate free. We don’t value what’s included. We, as a society, have become a little spoiled by how many free things there are in our culture. I’m part of that. On this trip, I could have rented a bicycle, but I stayed at a hotel for two nights that included one for free, which I promptly rode to the beach.

The other three nights, I stayed at a very low-cost hostel as a 48-year-old lady. Those two things probably shouldn’t ever go together. I lived.

Sorry. I get sidetracked fairly easily on these things.

My GED-seeking students often don’t have extra income to pay for coaching/tutoring, but when I offer it for free, they haven’t literally or figuratively “bought in” to the process. Therefore, I end up with a lot of no-shows and people who fade away into the sunset, never to complete all sections of the test. While I was doing a lovely little meditation on the beach, it came to me like a typewriter writing across my forehead. “Charge for the cost of the test and hold it.” I had previously thought about that option but didn’t want to fool with it when it came time to pay for the test. I have now figured that part out. So, if you’re a Texas student, the cost to work with me is $181. That includes the four test sections and two retakes, if necessary. If you’re in another state, call me, and I’ll give you a price. Each state charges a different rate for test sections and retakes. Warning: If you stop working with me, there will be no refunds. I will put the extra funds towards helping students take the test. For example, I have a student right now who has no way to get to the testing center, so we are trying to raise money to get a rideshare option.

I’ll try this route and see if it works to keep my goal of providing free services while having students buy in. I’ll keep you blog posted. 🙂

xo, Dr. Andie

Done is better than perfect.

I have a 45-minute window between students today, but I thought that it wouldn’t be enough time to write and post my Monday blog post.

Then I thought of students I’ve had in the past. I’ve had students who have been working on their GEDs for years–sometimes decades. When we dig into what’s holding them back, many of them are afraid of failing the test.

“I won’t take the test until I know I can get 100% of the questions right.”

Oh, boy. I have heard this from multiple people. First, who can predict the future? Second, how could anyone guarantee a perfect score? What about margin of error? What about miss clicks? (This is what my son tells me every time he misses a question on a test these days.) What if you run out of time?

Want my opinion? Take the test for feedback. It may not be perfect. No, I’m going to guarantee that it won’t be perfect. How did this idea of “perfect” even come into existence? I blame Martha Stewart.

DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT.

This picture is a work-in-progress of one of the many DIY house projects my husband and I do together. Is it perfect? Of course not! Please don’t hire us. However, it’s done, it’s lovely, and we’re quite proud of our handiwork. I’ll put an after picture because I know I would be curious about the after picture if I put in the time to read all my nonsense.

Back to the good stuff:

What’s the best thing that could happen if you go take one real section of the test? You may just pass it straight away. What’s the next best thing that could happen? You’ll get excellent feedback and a plan.

The GED Testing Service (No, I’m not sponsored; believe me, I’ve tried to get on the payroll.) does an amazing job of telling you exactly what you need to study. You get the feedback, and then I’ll teach you those exact skills!

I’ve helped many students finally earn their GEDs. If you’d like someone to get it done once and for all, I just may be your gal.

Call, text, email, or hit me up on any of my social media accounts. @drandieb; drandieb@gmail.com; 508.768.5808

Here’s the after. I never thought I’d post a picture of my pantry on here, but here we are at the end of an imperfect, unedited blog post. Whew. I even have time to go heat up my coffee. Happy studying! xo

“Am I too old to get the GED?”

I have been coaching women for several years. Specifically, I have primarily worked with mothers who finally have the time for themselves now that their youngest kids are in school full time. But, they are worried that they have waited too long. One woman told me she Googled, “Am I too old to get my GED?” when she was first thinking about going back to school.

One of my amazing students just completed the final test section to become a GED graduate this week. I told her, “20 years is fantastic; it’s better than 21 years!”

I have studied and researched students who have been trying to earn their GEDs for years, often for decades. If you think you might be too old today, I’ve got some bad news for you, my dear. You are going to be just a little bit older tomorrow. Ten years from now? Yep, you’ll be ten years older.

Don’t let another decade go by. Let’s get your GED now.

Let’s do it together. I am here to help you. Don’t wait because the other bad news is that I am also going to be older tomorrow!

I understand some of the underlying fears that hold people back. One of the fears is thinking that we are too old to do something new. Our culture often collectively assumes that the GED is for a younger population. When I tell people that I teach GED-seeking adults, they almost always assume that my students are 18-ish years old. In fact, my students typically range between 30 and 60 years old. If you’re older than 60, please call so I can increase that age range!

If you have recently thought, “I should try to get my GED,” you are ready now. Don’t wait.

Call, text, or email today if you’d like my help to make a plan. If you don’t want to contact me, there are so many resources available to you. Call your local community college or Google “free GED classes near me” or “free GED classes online.”

You’ve already taken the first step. KEEP GOING. I don’t even know you, and I’m proud of you already.

xo, Dr. Andie

drandieb@gmail.com or 508.768.5808