What to Expect when 'Minding the Gap'

You might be wondering what you should expect from academic advising in a college preparatory program.  Fair question!  Weekly, 20-minute meetings are the energy shot that should offer the insight and accountability to keep you moving.  While each student is different, and should see specifically personalized methods, here are some non-negotiables:
• Scripture - Our academic coaching staff takes a high view of Scripture, recognizing and practicing daily immersion in the Word.  Why?  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 1).  We can't offer you what we don't have, and without regular recognition of Jehovah God as the fount of all wisdom, and coming to that Source, we cannot offer any wisdom to you.
• More Scripture - Our checklist of questions to you for nearly every advising session will include the questions, "Have you spent daily time with the LORD?  What has that time produced?"  In the opening chapter of his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul reminds us that our relationship with God has immediate consequence in our thinking: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1).  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4).
• Goal Setting - You will be required to create and communicate specific, time-bound, measurable goals.  (In fact, these goals are a big piece of determining how much we charge you for Mind the Gap advising!)  This is how we know whether we are truly helping you to gain the traction you seek in building your unique skillset for academic or pre-professional success.
• Curriculum - We have designed several series of short assignments that will help us to find your optimal learning styles, basic skills in self management, project management, and people management, and help you to learn how to be your own best coach.
• Short Meetings - What we need to accomplish in an advising session is usually very simple and direct.  We don't belabor the process with lectures or long-winded advice.  Rather, we identify any challenges and/or roadblocks you seem to be facing, and we equip you to overcome these.  You do the rest.
• Prayer - Don't be surprised if your coach asks to pray with you.  Again, this is simply our response to the God Who has commanded us to boldly approach the throne and lay our requests before Him.  This is important work, and we want the LORD's blessing on every aspect of our work together.  It won't be a 45-minute prayer meeting with an altar call...  
• Housekeeping - Is your schedule clear for our next meeting?  Are your goals for next week clarified?  Do you have what you need for the next step?  Do you have any questions?  Quick and direct.
Let's get started!