Forgetting homework at home. Scrambling to finish a project at the last minute. Missing an important deadline. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there–kids and adults alike. But these errors are rarely due to simple laziness. Rather, it’s often an issue with executive function skills. These skills, which include things like organization, time management, and planning, help us stay on top of things instead of constantly paying catch-up.

During the bustling school year, though, it can be hard for students to take a pause and really work on the root of their issues. But while school might be a pressure cooker, summer can be a release valve. At Effective Students, we’ve found that summer is a great time for students to connect with an academic or accountability coach who can help them on their executive functioning skills. There’s more time to breathe and really get these skills down, so they can thrive into the school year and later, in adulthood.

What are executive function skills?

Ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why? Or sat down to start homework, only to get distracted by a million little things? That’s your executive functioning at work, or in these cases, not working as well as you’d like.

Executive function skills reside in your brain’s command center. For students, it helps them plan and prioritize the many tasks associated with being in school. Some of these skills include:

• Planning and organization: Breaking tasks down into chunks and keeping track of materials.
• Time management: Estimating how long things take and using time wisely.
• Task initiation and follow through: Getting started without procrastination and finishing strong.
• Emotional regulation: Managing frustration, motivation, and focus.

There’s nothing wrong with having executive dysfunction (a term for when executive functioning skills don’t come naturally). But these skills aren’t usually taught in school, so it can be a major gap when it comes to a student’s long-term goals and ambitions.

So how can students pick up these skills? Working with an executive function coach outside of school, such as one through EffectiveStudents®, can provide structure, accountability, and personalized success plan. Over time, students can build habits and skills that make life easier, not harder.

Why summer is the perfect time for executive function coaching

Summer is the perfect opportunity to build skills that will make school (and life) easier. Think of it like learning how to swim. If you only ever practice when you’re already in deep water, struggling to stay afloat, the whole experience of swimming is going to be stressful and overwhelming. But if you take lessons in a calm, low-pressure environment, somewhere where your feet can touch the ground, you build skills and confidence to stay afloat anywhere.

Executive function coaching through EffectiveStudents® works the same way. During the school year, students are often too busy trying to keep their heads above water. But over the summer they can really focus on building better habits. Our coaches are warm, personal, and encouraging. So while yes, coaching might feel to students a bit like working over the summer, there’s no way to fail at learning these skills. There’s no grades or looming deadlines, and the coaching is personalized to what feels right for the student.

Students are building the skills they can put to use when they return to school. They will be able to implement their newfound skills, so they’re not just treading water, they’re making steady progress through the currents of life’s demands.

It’s not just academics–planning executive function over the summer

Yes, a big part of summer is about taking a break. But resting for three months can get a little boring, even for students who thrive on downtime. Without structure, it’s easy to feel like summer has slipped away without accomplishing anything meaningful.

That’s where executive function coaching through EffectiveStudents® comes in.Coaching over the summer months capitalizes on a reduced cognitive load. By working with a coach, students can balance relaxation with productivity and make the most of their time off. They can learn how to self direct by set goals for their personal lives, like learning how to code, deepening their friendships, or tackling a summer reading list.

And when school does come around, working with a coach will help students feel refreshed and focused for whatever the new year throws at them. Plus, executive function coaching can help prevent summer learning loss, which is when students forget some of what they learned during the year. When they stay engaged with the process of learning and growing, even if they’re not actively studying math or reading, they can still keep their brains sharp and prepared for the next year.

Making the case for summer executive function coaching

We understand that summer coaching can be a tough sell. After all, students work hard all year, and they want to rest. But executive function coaching doesn’t have to come at the cost of rest. Convincing your student that summer coaching can be not just tolerable, but fun, starts with showing them how it’s more than just school. You might say, “think of having someone on your side for all your pastimes and hobbies, including school but not just school.” Help them see how coaching can let them take control of their time and make their lives (and yours) less stressful.

And, remember to emphasize that there are no grades involved but rather a sense of new found freedom. Executive function coaching is about growth, not perfection. This is a low-pressure chance to learn skills that will help them feel more in control. And it’s not a full-time commitment. There will still be plenty of time for participating in summer fun, hanging out with friends, or even just lounging.

Use the summer to build lifelong skills with Effective Students

Building lifelong skills doesn’t have to take, well, a student’s entire life. They can get started today with coaches through Effective Students. During the summer, and beyond, students can work one-on-one with a coach to develop skills such as time management, organization, and positive thinking.

If executive function coaching may be right for you or your student, explore the Effective Student Method™ course and one-on-one coaching sessions. Contact our team to learn more.