Hi, I'm Lauren!

Academic Coach and Founder of Academic Pathfinder.

I empower college students with ADHD to transform overwhelm into clarity and achieve academic success.

MY MISSION

My mission is to support students in moving from surviving to thriving—academically, emotionally, and personally—through their college years and beyond. I do this by:

Serving each student in a way that honors their individual needs, learning style, personality, and strengths
Using coaching techniques that help students uncover internal motivation, clarify goals, and build self-confidence along the way
Creating space and offering resources to help students transform:
- Overwhelm to clarity
- Discouragement to empowerment
- Stress to success

My Story

(The Short Version)

Background
With a deep love for learning and a heart for helping others, I’ve always been drawn to education. I hold a strong academic background and years of experience supporting students in a variety of capacities.

Discovery
In 2018, what began as a small side gig quickly revealed itself as a true calling. I found I had a natural strength for helping students navigate academic challenges, improve their writing, strengthen executive functioning skills, and regain their confidence.

Commitment
Since then, I’ve been honored to walk alongside students as they shift from surviving to thriving. Through personalized coaching, I help them overcome overwhelm, build sustainable habits, and define success on their own terms.

Full Story & Credentials Here

5 FUN ACADEMIC FACTS ABOUT ME

I developed an early passion for writing that stood the test of time.

I wrote my first book at age 5: Sally the Snake. You know what they say, activities and interests you had as a kid can be a helpful clue as to what will bring you joy in adulthood. To this day, I still have a love for writing in many forms, from journaling to academic writing.

I was homeschooled until seventh grade, and one of my favorite learning methods was using songs to learn subjects like science, history, spelling, and grammar.

To this day, I still get lyrics from Kathy Troxel’s amazing songbook, Grammar Songs, stuck in my head! That early exposure to creative, multi-sensory learning shaped the way I coach today—honoring each student’s unique learning style and finding strategies that actually stick.

In the summer of 2009, I studied abroad at Oxford University—one of the most magical and formative academic experiences of my life.

Immersed in a scholarly city and surrounded by history, I took two courses through Oxford's unique tutorial system—Jane Austen and the Rise of the Female Novelist and Oxford Fantasists: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, and Lewis Carroll—researching and writing in the Bodleian Library. This deep dive into rigorous, discussion-based learning continues to inspire how I support students in developing strong writing, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.

In 2012, I graduated summa cum laude with double majors in English and International Relations, plus a minor in Pre-Law.

One of my biggest takeaways was learning to write across disciplines and styles—a skill I now pass on to students as I support them in writing everything from discussion posts to research papers. I also developed a deep appreciation for how worldview and critical thinking shape not just literature and politics, but how we show up in the world.

I’m a lifelong learner—and I bring that same mindset into my coaching.

From earning my National Board Certification in Health & Wellness Coaching to completing advanced academic coaching, executive function, and Ayurvedic teaching certifications, I’m always deepening my knowledge. I model this love of learning for my students while continuously growing to be the best coach I can be.

HOW I HELP

As an academic coach, I empower my students to succeed both academically and personally. I strive to help each student become the best version of themselves and reach their potential in the following areas:

Academic Tools & Skills - Study, writing, and test-taking strategies that work across subjects.
Social Support System - Encouraging connection with peers, professors, and campus resources.
Physical Health - Supporting routines for sleep, nutrition, and energy.
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing - Helping students manage stress and stay emotionally balanced.
Clarity on Academic Path - Guiding course choices, major decisions, and long-term goals.
Executive Function Skills - Teaching time management, organization, and follow-through.
Growth Mindset - Building confidence and resilience through challenges.

I take this holistic approach to support each of my students to have their best possible college experience. If you believe that your student could use support in any of these areas, I invite you to check out my services page where I share all about what I do and how I work with students.

I'm ready to learn more!