Meet Aidan
A+ student who is failing
Aidan was used to being the smart one. Straight A’s all through high school. Teachers praised her work ethic, her curiosity, and her potential. She never had to study that hard—things just clicked. So when she started her first year of university, she expected more of the same.
But within the first year, everything started to unravel.
The workload multiplied. Classes blurred together. Deadlines snuck up on her. She found herself skipping lectures she couldn’t keep up with and avoiding assignments until the last minute. No matter how hard she tried to "just get organized," nothing seemed to stick.
“I’m a smart person who is good at school; why can't I do this?!”
What Was Happening:
The Shift from Structure to Self-Management
In high school, Aidan had a clear structure: classes all day, teachers checking in, and parents around to help. But university? Suddenly, she was in charge of everything—scheduling, studying, sleeping, eating. It was like being thrown into the deep end without a life raft.
Perfectionism & Paralysis
Because things had always come easily before, Aidan hadn’t developed strong study strategies. Now that she needed them, she didn’t know where to start. The pressure to “live up” to her past performance left her frozen. If she couldn’t do it perfectly, she avoided it altogether.
Executive Dysfunction, Not Laziness
Aidan wasn’t lazy or unmotivated. Her brain just didn’t respond to traditional to-do lists or vague “study blocks.” She needed a system that worked with her brain, not against it.
How We Worked Together:
When Aidan reached out, she was overwhelmed and ashamed—feeling like she had somehow failed the moment she stepped on campus. But what she needed wasn’t more pressure or vague advice to “just try harder.” She needed clarity, structure, and support designed for how her brain works.
Key Strategies:
A Tracking System That Made Sense
We co-created a color-coded Google Calendar system that aligned with her natural rhythms. Instead of cramming her days with unrealistic to-dos, we built in gentle structure: study blocks during her peak energy hours, visible deadlines, and recovery time after intense academic days.
Study Strategies for Her Brain
Rather than fighting her focus patterns, we used tools like the Pomodoro technique, body-doubling, and assignment “chunking” to help her build momentum. We also mapped how she learns best—visuals, voice notes, short bursts—and crafted a study toolkit she could rely on.
Accountability That Felt Supportive, Not Shameful
We set up short text check-ins every other day—no pressure, just honest reflection on how things are going. These touchpoints helped Susan catch issues early, celebrate small wins, stay more on track, and rebuild her confidence over time.