Get motivated and organized to thrive.

Master six core skills that form the foundation of success.

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What does EF encompass?

Let's break down these crucial skills, and all the subskills involved. These can make a big impact on your learning experience.

Planning

  • Setting goals
  • Prioritizing
  • Time management
  • Breaking big assignments into smaller tasks

Organization

  • Creating and maintaining schedules/routines
  • Using calendars + planners
  • Keeping track of information + materials

Attention

  • Shifting attention from tasks you like to ones you don't
  • Keeping attention on a situation or task in spite of distractions or boredom
  • Working memory - keeping information in mind to complete a task

Flexibility

  • Making changes when needed
  • Adjusting to obstacles, setbacks, new information, or mistakes
  • Tolerating unexpected changes in plans

Self-Management

  • Getting motivated + starting tasks
  • Sticking with a task or project to meet a goal
  • Managing emotions + anxiety
  • Controlling impulses
  • Handling frustration
  • Self-awareness/self-reflection

Self-Advocacy

  • Knowing when you need help
  • Asking for help
  • Finding helpful people, tools, or resources
  • Knowing your strengths + weaknesses

Is EF Coaching the Answer?

Students with lagging EF skills can experience grades that don’t meet their potential, low academic confidence, and lack of motivation. We can help you break the cycle. Our EF Coaches work with a wide range of students in grades 4 through 12 and college, including:

  • Students with demanding schedules
  • Gifted and twice-exceptional (“2e’) students
  • Students with ADHD, LDs (like dyslexia), or autism

Take a Quiz

Take the short quiz below to assess your student’s executive function skills.

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Schedule a Consultation

Talk with a Program Director to learn more about executive functioning and your student's needs.

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Start a Coaching Plan

Follow a schedule of weekly,
30 to 45-minute coaching sessions.

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"Our coach has been great at helping my son with strategies on how to stay organized, plan for the future, and remember what he has due/to do. She has managed to help my son do all of this without making him feel anxious or overwhelmed - he seems to feel more confident and in control."
Frances W., EF Coaching Parent
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Reviews

“My Applerouth coach ​​helped me realize that when I'm put together and organized, school really is not that difficult.”

Applerouth Student, El Paso, TX

“My son started planning his homework better and his grades immediately improved, thus helping him feel better about himself and his abilities.”

EF Coaching parent, Spring

“My only regret is not finding this service earlier in the academic year.”

EF Coaching Parent, Spring

STUDENT CASE STUDY

High Schoolers Learn to Navigate College-Level Challenges

Background

Many high school students have challenges that follow them into college, but it is possible to break the cycle. One Applerouth student, Jasmine, was struggling with high school AP Calculus and Physics when she and her parents came to us for help. With the guidance of an expert mathematics tutor we paired her with, Jasmine realized her abilities to excel in Calc and Physics – she’d just needed someone to cut out the confusion! She mainly needed someone to take the time to clarify things enough so she could ride that boost of confidence. When Jasmine later transitioned to college, she happily reported to her tutor that she was able to smoothly and successfully complete college-level Statistics.

Another student, Jay, sought our help as he was graduating from high school to college. He had been feeling overwhelmed by the transition to college-level classes, which is a feeling many students share. We know it often only takes a few habit adjustments to clear their way for success…so we got to work, and so did Jay. Applerouth matched him with one of our tutors that we knew would be great at providing academic and strategic support, while helping Jay to establish a stronger foundation of executive functioning skills. Jay made huge strides and learned to settle into his new expectations in a college environment. He had a successful freshman year of college, but more importantly, he has walked away with stronger adaptability skills that he can use throughout his life.

Approach

  • When Jay and Jasmine’s parents found us, they were feeling apprehensive about their students’ struggles with subjects they knew would only become more challenging in college. First, their tutors addressed the challenges they were experiencing in their high school AP classes. After working from that level, they began to start focusing with them on what to expect – and the habits that are most helpful – in the college environment.
  • Once Jay and Jasmine were in the college scene, their Applerouth tutors continued to assist them in navigating their classes in order to make sure they never fell behind. This is important because the sooner you bring light to confusion, the quicker and easier it is to untangle!
  • They continued to focus on sharpening their executive functioning in order to adjust to the new pace that university classes demand. In the process, they gained adaptability skills they can re-use time and time again during the inevitable transitional phases of life.

Outcome

Both Jasmine and Jay successfully overcame their academic challenges, preparing for and keeping pace with college classes. They gained resilience and effective learning strategies they could use in both high school and college levels, as well as in their overall lives.

*Student's name and likeness have been changed for privacy.

Applerouth's Process

From advisement to post-service follow up, we come alongside you on your journey.

1. Craft a plan.

Schedule an appointment with a Program Director to discuss which of our learning experiences would work best for you.

2. Tutor matching.

Get matched to the perfect tutor for you, based on learning needs, personality, and educational goals.

3. Start learning.

Make leaps and bounds in whatever it is you need help with the most - and then some. Get ready to feel more confident by the end.

Ready for super-helpful EF Tips?

We’re way ahead of you – and we have just the thing. Download our one-pager for the perfect visual guide.

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Skill Quiz

Take the short quiz below to assess your student’s executive function skills.

Discover more learning strategies.

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Month DD, YYYY
xx minutes

How the Digital SAT Supports Neurodiverse Learners

The introduction of the Digital SAT for all students this month stands to hugely benefit students with learning differences. The new format provides more time per question, built-in accommodations, and text-to-speech technology, to name only a few of the new features. Read more to learn how the changes aim to enhance inclusivity and better accommodate diverse learning needs in college admissions testing.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
March 7, 2024

7 Ways Students with Learning Differences Can Leverage AI to Suit Their Learning Style

Students are going to continue to seek out tools to help them work faster, more efficiently, and at a higher level. AI is starting to provide some of that assistance. Though most students could utilize AI, students with learning differences have the potential to benefit most from this technology.

Jenna Berk
March 7, 2024

The Right Level of Rigor

Navigating a student's academic journey involves a nuanced understanding of their unique needs. While college admissions push for rigor, it's crucial to avoid excess stress. Assessing past experiences, extracurricular commitments, and personal interests can help determine the right balance.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
February 29, 2024

AI for Everyone: Practical Ways Your Student Can Leverage AI

Discover the transformative impact of AI in American education, from how students are leveraging large language models (LLMs) like GPT4 to increase productivity to the limitations and ethical concerns surrounding the evolving landscape of AI in academia.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
February 6, 2024

The Ongoing High Cost of Grade Inflation

In today's educational landscape, A grades are losing their luster, as experts note a concerning rise in grade inflation—a trend that challenges our traditional understanding of academic excellence. This month, we’re exploring the consequences, from diminished differentiation to the disconnect between grades and actual skills, and offering some practical tips for families navigating this evolving academic terrain.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
January 10, 2024

What Does AI Mean for the Future of Education?

The arrival of Open AI’s GPT-4 crossed a threshold that captured the imagination—and simultaneously aroused the fears—of millions, making it clear that the world would never be the same. Promises of General Artificial Intelligence, which had seemed many decades away, suddenly felt within reach.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
November 18, 2023
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Questions? Need some advice? We're here to help.

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