University Student Goal Discipline Coaching Program: Program Management Guide

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

This is a structured, evidence-based coaching program designed to equip university students with the discipline, systems, and mindset necessary for effective goal-setting and consistent progress tracking. It synthesizes proven frameworks like SMART goals, the GROW model, and Self-Regulated Learning into a practical 4-month journey tailored to the unique challenges of student life.

Strategic Benefits for University Students:

• Enhanced Academic Self-Management: Students develop reliable systems for time management, prioritization, and task execution, leading to reduced procrastination, fewer missed deadlines, and improved academic performance.
• Increased Self-Efficacy & Ownership: Through coaching conversations and reflective practice, students build intrinsic motivation and a stronger sense of control over their academic and personal outcomes, fostering resilience.
• Sustainable Habit Formation: Participants learn and apply the science of habit formation to create automated, goal-supporting routines that persist beyond the program duration.
• Transferable Life Skill Development: The acquired skills in goal-setting, self-regulation, and data-driven adjustment are directly applicable to future careers, personal finance, health, and relationships.
• Structured Support Network: The program provides accountability through peer interactions and coaching guidance, combating the isolation and overwhelm often experienced in university.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

This is a Coaching Program. The provided research data explicitly calls for a student-centered coaching model as a core delivery method. Therefore, a supplemental mentorship layer is not required as the primary coaching structure is already integral. The program effectively combines formal instruction (10%), social learning via peer accountability (20%), and applied practice through coaching (70%), as per the 70-20-10 principle.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase Checklist

1. Stakeholder Alignment & Resourcing: Secure buy-in from university leadership (e.g., Student Affairs, Academic Support). Define budget, secure coaching staff/facilitators, and identify physical/digital spaces for sessions.
2. Participant Recruitment & Selection: Develop marketing materials highlighting program benefits. Create a simple application to gauge student motivation and commitment. Target students at key transition points (e.g., first-year, returning after academic difficulty).
3. Coach & Facilitator Training: Train all coaches on the integrated GROW + Motivational Interviewing approach, program milestones, and tools. Ensure consistency in methodology.
4. Technology & Material Setup: Configure the selected LMS and Coaching Software (see Section 4). Pre-load all digital resources, tracking templates, and session guides.
5. Kick-off & Onboarding: Conduct a mandatory orientation session. Distribute pre-program surveys (self-efficacy, baseline habits). Guide students through initial account setup on required platforms.

Tracking & Operations

• Weekly Cadence: Facilitate one thematic group workshop (aligned to modules) and manage the schedule for bi-weekly 1:1 or peer coaching sessions.
• Progress Monitoring: Use the Coaching Software to track attendance, session notes, and goal progress against milestones. Coaches should flag students at risk of falling behind for proactive outreach.
• Content Delivery: Sequentially release module resources (videos, guides, templates) via the LMS each month to support the weekly workshops.
• Community Management: Utilize the Internal Social Network features to foster peer support, celebrate milestones, and share tips. Facilitators should actively moderate and prompt discussion.
• Data Collection: Automate the distribution of weekly habit trackers and reflection prompts through the LMS. Schedule mid-point and final surveys.

Success Measurement

Quantitative KPIs:

• Habit Adherence: % of participants maintaining ≥80% adherence to key habits for 6+ consecutive weeks (Milestone 4).
• Goal Achievement: % of initial SMART goals met or substantially progressed by program end.
• Engagement: Session attendance rate >85%; completion rate of weekly tracking logs >75%.
• Academic Proxy: Reduction in self-reported "cramming sessions" or late assignments by >40% (pre/post comparison).

Qualitative KPIs & Feedback Mechanisms:

• Pre/Post Surveys: Measure shifts in self-efficacy statements (e.g., "I feel in control of my academic workload") using a 5-point Likert scale.
• Structured Reflections: Assess the quality of midpoint and final reflections for evidence of self-regulated learning (planning, monitoring, adjusting).
• Exit Interviews/Focus Groups: Conduct with a sample of participants to gather in-depth feedback on coaching usefulness, relevance of tools, and overall experience.
• "Personal Goal Discipline System" Artifact Review: Evaluate the completeness and practicality of each student's final system document.

4. Approved Tools List

• Coaching Software: Primary Tool. This is essential for managing the coaching lifecycle: scheduling 1:1 and peer sessions, documenting GROW conversation notes, tracking goal progress against milestones, and maintaining accountability between meetings. It operationalizes the core coaching model.
• LMS (Learning Management System): Primary Tool. Used for structured content delivery of the four core modules (videos, reading, templates), distributing and collecting weekly tracking assignments and reflections, and housing pre/post surveys. It centralizes the 10% formal learning component.
• Internal Social Network: Supporting Tool. Facilitates the 20% social learning component by creating a dedicated program community for peer support, accountability group check-ins, sharing successes, and asking questions. This builds engagement and reduces dependency on coaches.

Justification for Omitted Tools: Mentorship/ERG Software is not aligned with the coaching-centric model. An Onboarding Platform is redundant as the LMS handles participant onboarding. A Personality Test, while potentially interesting, is not a core requirement for the evidence-based goal-setting and habit-formation frameworks mandated by the research.

5. Resource & Content Library

Training Content for Coaches

• Guide: "Integrating GROW with Motivational Interviewing for Student Coaching"
• Video Series: "Facilitating Peer Accountability Groups"
• Resource Pack: "Question Banks for Each Stage of the SRL (Self-Regulated Learning) Cycle"
• Guide: "Interpreting Student Tracking Data to Guide Coaching Conversations"
• Protocol: "Handling Setbacks and Building Resilience: A Coach's Script"
• Article: "Fostering Growth Mindset in Academic Coaching Sessions"

Training Content for Coachees (Students)

• Interactive Workbook: "From Vague Hope to SMART Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide"
• Video Tutorial: "Time-Blocking Your University Schedule"
• Template Library: "Weekly Review Ritual," "Habit Stacking Canvas," "Anti-Procrastination Playbook"
• Guide: "Building Your Implementation Intentions: The If-Then Formula"
• Video Series: "Understanding the Habit Loop: Cue, Routine, Reward"
• Case Study Videos: "Student Stories: How I Applied Self-Regulation to Improve My Grades"
• Final Project Template: "My Personal Goal Discipline System"