Inauguration Ceremony of Academic Programs in English 2025
September 29, 2025
Study Visit of Students to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister
October 17, 2025
Starting university is an exciting new chapter full of opportunities, discoveries, and personal growth. But it can also feel challenging at times, especially when you’re adapting to a new academic culture, language, or way of learning. That’s where Academic Coaching comes in. It’s here to help you navigate your studies with confidence, balance, and purpose. Academic coaching is about helping you become your best academic self, step by step, in your own way.
What is Academic Coaching?
Academic coaching is not about giving you lectures or fixing your problems for you. Think of it more as a personalised, interactive kind of support that helps you make the most of your time at university. It focuses on building key skills such as effective planning, time and
energy management, self-motivation, and resilience. Academic Coaching can be especially valuable for international students adjusting to a new academic culture. It provides a safe and supportive space to explore topics such as adapting to a new environment, dealing with stress, improving study habits, and balancing study with personal life.
The Role of an Academic Coach
An academic coach is a partner in your learning journey. Their role is to support you in developing the habits, mindsets, and skills needed for university success.
They do this by:
- Encouraging reflection and self-awareness about your learning process;
- Helping you set realistic goals and stay accountable for your progress;
- Providing tools to manage time, stress, and academic workload more effectively;
- Creating a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly about your challenges;
- Supporting your personal growth, confidence, and wellbeing.
An academic coach is not a teacher, tutor, or counsellor. Instead, they act as a facilitator of growth, someone who helps you find your own answers, make informed decisions, and take ownership of your university experience.
What are the main goals of Academic Coaching?
- The Academic Coaching Programme aims to:
- Support students in adapting to university life and academic culture at the University
of Warsaw. - Strengthen motivation, confidence, and self-awareness.
- Develop critical thinking, reflection, and effective learning strategies.
- Encourage wellbeing, balance, and emotional resilience.
- Build a sense of belonging and connectedness among international students.
Who is the programme for?
The Academic Coaching Pilot Programme is designed exclusively for first-year undergraduate and graduate international students of UPIR, UPPS, SPP, EPE, GPIR and GPPS at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies. Whether you are new to higher education, adjusting to studying in English, or looking to make the most of your time at the University of Warsaw, this programme will help you develop the skills and mindset for academic success.
What is the programme?
The programme consists of a series of small group coaching sessions (maximum 12 participants) led by a certified academic coach. Each 90-minute session focuses on a different theme related to student success and personal development.
Programme Schedule
1. Transitioning into being a scholar (16.10.2025)
Understand what higher education expects from you and how to succeed from the very start.
2. Setting SMART goals (23.10.2025)
Learn how to set achievable study and personal goals to stay motivated and on track.
3. Managing culture shock (30.10.2025)
Discover strategies for adapting to life away from home and thriving in a new
environment.
4. Developing intercultural competence (13.11.2025)
Gain skills for studying and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural community.
5. Student wellbeing (20.11.2025)
Learn how to take care of yourself and build a strong support network.
6. Effective time management (27.11.2025)
Master techniques for balancing study, work, and personal life.
7. Developing your study skills (04.12.2025)
Explore different study strategies and find what works best for you.
8. Dealing with distractions and procrastination (tbc 11.12.2025 or 18.12.2025)
Stay focused, productive, and in control of your time.
9. Revision and exam strategies (08.01.2026)
Prepare for exams with confidence and less stress.
10. Managing academic stress (15.01.2026)
Practical tools to cope with academic pressure and stay resilient.
11. Reflection and future planning (22.01.2026)
Look back on your journey, celebrate your progress, and plan for what comes next.
When and where?
Start date: 16 October 2025
End date: 22 January 2026
Thursdays – three available time slots:
- 13:15–14:45
- 15:00–16:30
- 16:45–18:15
Remember to sign up for 1 session each time.
Location: Room P23 (The Focus Study Room), Main Auditorium Building
How to sign up?
To register, complete the online registration form: https://forms.gle/drkHmh3EvoMx847E7. Each group is limited to 12 participants, so early registration is recommended.
Who is the coach?
The sessions are led by Marta Nowak, a certified coach and experienced academic teacher with over 20 years of experience supporting international students. Having taught in the UK, Spain, and Poland, she brings a rich intercultural perspective to her work. Marta specialises
in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), inclusive pedagogy, and coaching in higher education. She completed postgraduate studies in professional coaching in 2019. Her approach combines reflective practice and evidence-based coaching tools to help students build confidence, autonomy, and a sense of belonging at the University of Warsaw.
