Ambra Vandone
A. Vandone - Study More Effectively with Learning Coaches
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Starting in September 2024, students from all departments will have access to the support of Learning Coaches, who are dedicated to guiding them through their academic journey. Through one-on-one consultations, Learning Coaches help students improve their study habits, time management, and stress management related to their academic studies, fostering the development of effective strategies and greater independence in their studies.
The Learning Coaches have completed internal training in counseling and coaching organized by the Teaching and Faculty Development Service and have collaborated with various SUPSI services, including the Gender and Diversity Service, the Career, Experience, and Guidance Service, and the Counseling Center, with the goal of offering integrated and comprehensive support.
To explore the role further and better understand the needs and methods of intervention, we interviewed Ambra Vandone, a researcher at the Laboratory of Automation, Robotics, and Machines in the Department of Innovative Technologies, where she also serves as a Learning Coach.
The Learning Coaches have completed internal training in counseling and coaching organized by the Teaching and Faculty Development Service and have collaborated with various SUPSI services, including the Gender and Diversity Service, the Career, Experience, and Guidance Service, and the Counseling Center, with the goal of offering integrated and comprehensive support.
To explore the role further and better understand the needs and methods of intervention, we interviewed Ambra Vandone, a researcher at the Laboratory of Automation, Robotics, and Machines in the Department of Innovative Technologies, where she also serves as a Learning Coach.
How is a support program structured?
The Learning Coach service is designed for students in all years, with a particular focus on freshmen who are beginning their studies at SUPSI and may face greater challenges in adjusting.
The program typically involves two or three individual sessions during which specific subject content is not addressed; instead, the focus is primarily on study methods. Through an initial discussion, key challenges are identified, and concrete goals and personalized strategies are defined for implementation.
The goal is to help students gradually become self-reliant in their learning journey by providing tools that can be applied over time, even independently.
At DTI, we also offer two half-day training sessions during the break between semesters, dedicated to topics such as how the brain works, metacognition, and effective study techniques.
One of the main messages we want to convey is that studying requires commitment and perseverance: just as in sports or music, learning skills can also be trained and developed over time.
What aspects do you address most often when working with students?
The most common requests involve time management and study organization. Students often experience anxiety related to exam preparation, which stems from poorly planned study habits or cramming right before exams.
We therefore focus on practical aspects such as study planning, memorization strategies, managing breaks, and techniques for taking notes and maintaining focus during lectures. In the long run, these tools not only help students optimize their time but also allow them to approach exams with greater peace of mind.
Learning to recognize one’s own limits, taking effective breaks, and valuing small progress are also important aspects of the process.
What changes do you observe at the end of the support program?
The most noticeable change often involves the greater sense of calm with which students approach their studies. At the beginning, it is common to encounter discouraged students, especially after exam periods that were perceived as negative or unsatisfactory.
By the end of the program, however, there is greater self-awareness, confidence in their abilities, and a better understanding of their own learning style.
Realizing that the struggle with studying is a shared challenge that can be overcome with the right tools helps many students feel less alone.
What future developments are envisioned for the Learning Coaching service?
We are currently working on two main projects. The first involves the creation of a handbook for Learning Coaches: a practical guide that compiles tools, materials, and useful experiences for addressing common situations, such as managing anxiety, time management, and effective study techniques.
The second project involves developing a questionnaire to collect structured feedback from students who have used the service or who have decided to discontinue their studies. This information will allow us to better monitor the effectiveness of our interventions and further improve the support we offer.
The future goal is to make the service increasingly structured, accessible, and effective, so as to reach a growing number of students and offer them concrete tools to navigate their university journey with greater awareness.