Andrea Zians | Strategic Academics
Academic Coaching for High School, College and University Students
Smart students struggle too.
I teach the study and executive function skills that close the gap.
I work one on one with students who have ADHD, learning disabilities, or executive function challenges, and with students who are struggling and don't know why. When there’s schoolwork, we use their real assignments and deadlines. When there isn’t, I bring my own curriculum, so every session builds the skills they need to succeed.
Semester grades are coming. Let's get a plan in place before winter break.
HOW I HELP
Coaching for the skills school
expects but never teaches
Executive Function Coaching
For students who know what to do but can't get started, keep track, or follow through. Together we build systems for organization, planning, and time management that fit the way they actually work.
Often a fit for students who
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Miss deadlines, hand things in late, get overwhelmed
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Struggle with planning and setting academic goals
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Leave things to the last minute, deal with procrastination
Reading and Writing Support
Strategies to read with focus, remember what they read, and get ideas onto the page, so a reading or an essay stops taking three times longer than it should.
Often a fit for a student who
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Struggle with reading their textbooks
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Have difficulty with writing assignments
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Struggle with formal writing and research
Study Strategies, Note taking, Test Taking
Most students study by rereading and hoping it sticks. I teach active study methods, a plan for every test, and notetaking that actually helps when it's time to review.
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Often a fit for a student who
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Study for hours and still feel unprepared
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Blank on tests that they studied for
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Struggle with note taking or don't use their notes
Assistive Technology Support
The right tools for reading, writing, and organization, chosen for the student, set up properly, and practiced until they use them on their own.​
Often a fit for student who
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Have accommodations they don't use
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Were given tools but never shown how to use them
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Want to learn how to use AI ethically and responsibly
Not sure where your student fits? That's exactly what the free call is for.
“Over the past nine months, she has helped him move from feeling disorganized and overwhelmed by high school to becoming more planful, confident, and capable of managing his schoolwork.”
J.S. Mother of a first-year high school student
FAQ
How do coaching sessions work? Sessions are one on one over Zoom. We work with the student's real assignments and deadlines, so each skill is practiced on work that matters that week.
Do you only work with students who have ADHD? No. I work with students who have ADHD, learning disabilities, or executive function challenges, and with students who are struggling without a diagnosis.
What is the difference between a tutor and an academic coach? A tutor helps with one subject, like math or chemistry. An academic coach teaches the skills behind every subject: planning, studying, reading, writing, and following through. Coaching is what helps a student keep up on their own.
Do you work with students outside Hamilton? Yes. I'm based in Hamilton, Ontario, and I work with high school, college, and university students across Canada and the U.S.
Can you help my child get ready for high school, college, or university? Yes. Each new stage comes with higher expectations and less support, so students need to manage more on their own. I have taught high school, college, and university students in the classroom, and for the last 25 years I have worked with them on developing the academic skills they need to succeed at each stage.
What happens on the free call? It's a 15-minute conversation about what's getting in the way and whether coaching is a good fit. There's no pressure and no commitment.