I thought I understood what it meant to “meet students where they are” before I became a coach. Then I started working with real students who navigate real challenges, and I realized how different that idea can look from one student to the next.
As an undergraduate student studying sociology/anthropology with a minor in race and ethnic studies and family studies, I spent a lot of time learning how to create supportive environments for people with different backgrounds and experiences. Concepts like active listening and Universal Design were central to those conversations. When I began my service with College Possible, I knew those lessons would shape the kind of coach I wanted to be.
What I did not know yet was how that would actually look in day-to-day coaching.
It took time, patience and plenty of trial and error before I found a rhythm with my students. By the middle of the fall semester, I started noticing that every student needed something a little different from me.
Some students wanted to meet every week and work through goals step by step. Others preferred more independence and checked in occasionally for essay feedback or advice. Some liked to spend the first few minutes talking about their day before diving into applications and deadlines. Others preferred quick updates and direct answers.
I also realized that confidence looks different for every student. Some felt comfortable navigating the college admissions process on their own, while others needed more support and reassurance along the way.
Take my student Mira, for example. At the beginning of the year, Mira wasn’t sure what to do to apply for college nor did she know if college was the right next step for her. Over time, through exploring post-secondary options, talking about the benefits of college and working on application materials together, Mira built a plan for college that honors her needs and wants, but also begins to push her outside of her comfort zone.
That is when I understood that meeting students where they are is not about changing expectations. It is about adjusting your approach so students can move forward in the way that works best for them.
The goals stay the same. Every student deserves the opportunity to enroll in college and pursue the future they want. What changes is how we work together to get there.
At the same time that I was learning to meet my students where they were, I was also learning to meet myself where I was.
Coaching comes with highs and lows. There are exciting moments, like college acceptances and financial aid breakthroughs. But there are also hard days when I leave my school wondering whether I gave my students enough support or helped ease some of the stress they are carrying.
Over time, I have learned that showing up for students also means giving yourself grace. Growth matters, but so does recognizing that you are learning, too.
Even on difficult days, seeing students gain confidence in themselves reminds me why this work matters.
I think I will always have room to grow in my ability to meet people where they are. Every student, conversation and challenge is different. But I hope my students will move ahead knowing they had someone in their corner, someone who listened, adapted and believed in them throughout the process.
To me, that is what College Possible is all about: showing students they do not have to navigate this journey alone.
