Higher education is an investment,
Make it count.
Student programs are designed for students who want more than “just getting by”. Each program targets a distinct area: preparing for higher education, building strong academic habits, sustaining well-being, and making intentional decisions about what comes next.
8
50
Sessions
Per Program
1:1
Online
Sessions
Minutes
Per Session
Accessible
From Anywhere
Individualized & Evidence-based
Quick links to each Student Program
Overview of Student Programs
For students who want to enter higher education with a strong start
The Higher Education Workshop helps you understand what higher education will actually ask of you. Instead of relying on vague ideas about “being ready,” you will leave with concrete tools and strategies to avoid fumbling this transition. You will:
Build a personalized ‘first semester game plan’ to start strong.
Delve into the unwritten norms and expectations of higher education known as the ‘hidden curriculum’.
Learn about identifying mentors, and finding community that values you.
Reflect upon what you personally bring to your new environment. Drawing from your personal strengths can help you position yourself to succeed and shore up your resources as you move forward.
Explore institutional resources so you can understand when and how to ask for support.
For students who are not seeing the results they want, or who want to raise their performance to the next level
The Learning & Achievement Bootcamp focuses on efficient learning. We delve into the science of learning to help you develop effective strategies for intentional, sustainable achievement. These strategies can be applied in your academic courses immediately, and in any learning experience moving forward. You will:
Identify your current habits that help or hinder learning, and explore effective evidence‑based strategies for studying and exam preparation.
Investigate your academic assessment as valuable feedback to identify patterns in errors, gaps in understanding, and build metacognitive awareness. Your assessment is more than just a grade, it’s an opportunity to learn.
Identify your personal vulnerabilities such as procrastination, distraction, and avoidance to build practical strategies for reducing these.
Learn to set goals that are specific, meaningful, and achievable, with clear milestones rather than vague intentions.
Connect your short-term goals to your larger personal and professional motivation.
For students ready to make the science of stress and well-being work for them
Grounded in positive psychology research, the Well-being Primer gives you the knowledge and practical tools to understand, protect, and strengthen your own well-being. Self-reflection underpins this program to equip you with personalized tools to navigate the peaks and valleys of life. You will:
Develop an understanding of optimism, explanatory style, and resilience, applying these to build adaptive responses to uncertainty, challenge, and setback.
Gain practical knowledge about stress management strategies, evaluating which approaches are best suited to you.
Explore the psychology of self-compassion and meaningful relationships, developing skills such as capitalization, and seeing the importance of investment in social connection.
Learn about gratitude and apply evidence-based practices that measurably strengthen overall well-being.
For students who feel uncertain about next steps, and want a structured way to explore
Navigating early adulthood means confronting big questions about who you are, what matters, and where you're headed, often all at once. Grounded in research and built around reflection, the Exploration & Decisions Toolkit gives you tools to move from "I have no idea what to do" to "I have real options and a way to think them through." You will:
Draw on your own experiences of motivation, engagement, and purpose to understand how these can anchor, as well as guide, your choices.
Explore how the paradox of choice and social comparison affect decisions. Learn to ground your decision-making in your own priorities, while developing awareness of the external pressures that can sway you.
Draw on developmental research about emerging adulthood as a distinct life stage characterized by identity exploration, instability, and possibility. You will develop a framework to understand why this period feels uniquely intense, and build the self-compassion and intention to move through major transitions with a genuine sense of direction.
For students who want open-ended guidance and support as their education unfolds
Sometimes the most valuable guidance is simply available when it’s needed. Open Mentor Sessions give you direct access to mentorship, without the structure of a student program. Whether you are applying to programs, weighing course options, or navigating a difficult semester, this creates an open-ended forum to think out loud and get candid, personalized guidance. Through Open Mentor Sessions, you will:
Access mentoring on an as-needed basis to get support when it matters. You can bring whatever is on your mind, and receive thoughtful, one-on-one guidance tailored to your immediate situation.
Gain a low-barrier entry point to mentorship. WIthout structured content, these sessions can reduce anxiety about engagement. This can make it easier for you to show up, ask honest questions, and understand your full educational landscape in a no-pressure environment.
Receive support tailored to your specific questions and goals. From navigating academic setbacks to pivoting post-graduation goals, we will meet you where you are, covering any stage of the college experience.
What makes Dr. Connolly’s approach unique?
Dr. Connolly brings 14 years of Ivy League leadership to this work. She advised thousands of undergraduate students in her role as Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She has seen firsthand how capable students can fall short because they lack effective and thoughtful preparation.
Dr. Connolly created these Student Programs in direct response to that experience. Each program provides a structured, supportive space to build the skills, habits, and confidence to make a lasting difference. These are tailored to the individual student, and built to connect today’s actions with tomorrow’s opportunities.
Additional resources you may find helpful
Diana Robertson PhD, Penn First Plus faculty co-director, Wharton School of Business
"Caroline’s approach to education reflects her deep experience and her genuine commitment to each student’s growth and well-being. She understands how high-achieving students thrive and works closely with them to provide the guidance, challenge, and encouragement they need to reach their full potential. Her insight allows her to tailor her support to individual strengths, aspirations, and circumstances, ensuring that every student feels both understood and empowered."