The Game Plan is a roadmap designed to take the fear and anxiety away from students who are making the leap to college or university and are low (or high) key freaking out about whether they’ll manage or not. And TBH, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t a bit verklempt about his huge life shift!
I wrote The Game Plan because as a professor with over 20 years of experience teaching first year uni classes..(and still doing it!) I know how all of this goes. I understand the deadlines, the workload, how the assessments are organized (and why) and I KNOW how to help you thrive , both in life and in class.
This course has 19 audio lessons so you can listen as you walk the dog or make a sandwich (it also has transcripts too if ya wanna follow along visually as well!) as well as a custom designed lesson-by-lesson workbook for you called The Playbook where you can jot down your thoughts, plans, dreams and mindset about your post- secondary school adventure!
In total, there are 7 hours of recordings (In bite-size bits, like 15 minutes approximately each lesson so as to NOT overwhelm you) for your listening pleasure…
I guide your through ALL of it!
Life, Relationships, Study, Where to go for help and when…
And I believe this is the most valuable program ever because I live this life.. I’m not someone who thinks they know how this all goes.. I KNOW how this goes, and I’m here to help and support you!
Get The Game Plan
The Game Plan
How to Succeed in College or University.. and LOVE it ..not SURVIVE it..
Strong Start
🧠 Included Tools and Supports:
• Executive Functions Guide
• First Week at School Checklist
• Parent-Student Reflection Exercises
• Check-In Templates
• Communication Tips for Maintaining Connection Without Control
This course was created to reassure parents and equip students. It’s normal to worry. It’s normal to be excited. And it’s absolutely possible to do both — with support, communication, and preparation.
Let’s get ready for a year of growth, connection, and independence—together.
Get Strong start
Preparing for the Transition to College or University — A Parent and Student Guide
Sending a child off to college or university is one of the most exciting — and emotional — milestones a family can experience. It’s a time of growth, change, opportunity, and yes, uncertainty. Whether you’re a parent feeling anxious about letting go, or a student feeling equally thrilled and nervous about what lies ahead, you are not alone.
To support families during this important transition, I have created a 7-module course that you can complete (easily!) in one week (or less!) , that is designed to prepare both you, as a parent, and students with practical strategies, tools, and shared language to help everyone feel more confident and connected throughout this journey.
🌟 Course at a Glance:
• Module 1: Getting Ready – Safety, Logistics & Communication
• Module 2: Well-Being – Mental & Physical Health
• Module 3: Managing Money – Building Financial Responsibility
• Module 4: Executive Function in Action – Building Independence
• Module 5: Building Belonging – Social Connections & Community
• Module 6: Coping with Loneliness & Anxiety – Building Resilience
• Module 7: The First-Year Success Plan
- One-Time Zoom Call (60 minute) to get set up and sorted, feel more confident, and take away the scaries that have you feeling anxious.. Let’s talk! We’ll get you heading in the right direction in no time!
- 3 X 60-minute Zoom Calls (as you wish, timing-wise). Do you need a weekly or a monthly call to get you going, and have you feeling supported as you begin this new adventure? We can set up the calls on a schedule that works for you.. plus you’ll have access to me via Voxer voice messages during our time together if you have something come up that needs attention asap rocky..
- 10 X 60-minute Zoom calls (we can set the timing of these calls to meet your needs!) This coaching experience has been designed especially for students who know they’ll need on-going support. Did you have an IEP or a learning plan in place in secondary school? Are you a neurodivergent learner and looking for regular chats to answer your most burning questions and keep you organized, moving, feeling supported, seen and encouraged? I’m here for you! Plus, you’ll have access to me via Voxer voice messages when you need help.. in real time.. and not next Thursday! I can’t wait to “meet” you!
BOOK NOW
1:1 Coaching
The Support You Need, When You Need It
As a professor for over 20 years, I can honestly say that I’ve never met a student who didn’t need some extra support from time to time. Asking for some additional guidance or assistance doesn’t make you weak, it’s proof that you care deeply about this journey you’re on and you want to make the most of it. Good for you!
And for parents/loved ones/supporters of these fabulous young people who are worried about their student.. I’ll keep you in the loop!
Speaking + Events
So let‘s talk about what you think about…let’s talk about what you want for your life. And about what steps you need to take to get there. Because only YOU can do it for yourself. And if that’s scary, I propose you think about it in a different way; it’s POWERFUL. And you are stepping into your OWN!
Also.. before you start thinking it’s all TOOO MUCH.. please remember…you can only think one thought at a time and take one step at a time. Easy does it.
I love bringing all of this hope and inspiration to interactive talks with students, parents, educators, coaches, athletes, and folks in the corporate world who could use some deconstructing of limiting mindsets imposed on them by others..
Let’s exchange those with something that fits for you.
With what’s possible.
With where you want to go.
Because you have to believe you can.
And that all starts with “hmmm, what if…”
Reach Out
Let’s Talk! Mindset, Motivation, and Mentality
Have you ever heard the saying “what you think, you become, what you feel, you attract and what you imagine, you create?” Yep, that was Buddha. Pretty spot-on, and the research on mindset, action and outcomes says this tracks..
If I’ve learned anything over my 20-plus year career as an academic, speaker and coach, is that mindset matters. If you think, “Nah, I can’t do that”….you probably won’t, because you have already decided whatever “that” is, is not for you.
Same goes for who YOU believe you are.
And this is a biggie..
If you’ve been told over and over that you’re not smart enough, or you’re lazy, or your dreams are not realistic.. be careful. Those words, or thoughts, which BTW came from SOMEONE ELSE, can have a hold over you if you give them oxygen. Given I’m a social scientist, I can assure you that how you have been socialized by parents, school, peers, and social media (and sometimes in the most well-meaning way) can have a massive impact on how you BEHAVE, which has consequences.. right?
So back to Buddha.. our thoughts matter.
“You know you are a game changer. Before you came to our school in Milton and talked about being ready for post secondary, I was really worried. But you made us all feel so much better and that we could do whatever we put our minds to. For that, I am so grateful. I know I’’m going to be just fine, and thank you for coming and speaking to us.”
— MALCOM
Former student of Milton District High School, and current undergraduate student Ontario, Canada
“Professor Deanna is probably one of the only professors whose lectures I can recall when I was in her university classes because they all had a dose of inspiration. When I was assigned to have a guest speaker come to the Ontario Veterinary College, I immediately knew that she was the one I had to get in contact with. She taught (us) how to use every single day as a way to build ourselves from the ground up, and work our way to the top using the concept of resilience. She taught us that without hardships, we would likely not be able to learn all the necessary skills of overcoming adversities which are highly indicative of a person’s character and paves the way to the greatest moments of one’s life. She taught us that it is important to embrace the negatives in order to achieve the positives, which is a concept not usually discussed. She also supports the development of resiliency, and that it is a skill that one can develop over time. With mental health and well-being at the forefront of today’s society, her message is of utmost importance.”
— Harleen Taggar
Graduate & research program service attendant, Ontario Veterinary College
