The Game Plan
A one-of-a-kind course to *really* GET ready for COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
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The Game Plan also teaches you what not to expect when you’re in college or university...such as..
- expecting your prof to extend deadlines (they probably won’t unless there is some significant mitigating circumstance.. like you have a concussion)
- re-weight grades because you got busy or you forgot to submit (absolutely not happening)
- re-grade your paper because your worked really hard on it (it doesn’t matter how hard you worked {we don’t grade effort}, what matters is what you produce {we grade the result of your effort}
- for your IEP or accommodations or learning plan to follow you after high school (it doesn't)
- explain where you lost marks. You didn't. You didn't start with 100. You started with zero
I share all of this (and more) in The Game Plan because what you don't know can absolutely blind-side you…..like, you think it’s going to be like high school, but with way more freedom… It's not like high school. At all...
What students believe about themselves matters.
Your thoughts shape your choices, your effort, your resilience, and ultimately your outcomes. The Game Plan helps quiet the noise, build confidence, stay focused, and develop the mindset needed to keep moving forward when things get hard.
Because success in college or university is not just about being smart. It's about learning how to think (on purpose), respond, adapt, and keep going.
- How to research and choose the right school and program for you (they’re all different, even if they sound the same. They're not.)
- WHERE (location matters because distractions ruin everything) , WHEN (daily or cramming) and HOW to study (your learning style changes everything)
- Recognizing the differences between high school and college/university {and they’re BIG ones) and how to make the leap
- Finding your way around your new environment, how to make friends, how to deal with roommates and find “your people”.. yes, they are there.. you just gotta know where to look
- Understanding that finding "your people" on campus is a game changer. Those who don't are likely to drop out before they finish their second year
- Managing your time, workload, and planning your calendar (no one does that for you….plus there are no reminder emails…yikes!)
- How to take notes (“like, what am I supposed to record or write down?”, says everyone)
- How to study based on your learning style.. do you know yours?
- Why cramming doesn’t work, but planned study does.. plus it’s way less stressful){more about long term vs short term memory in The Game Plan}
- How to find resources on campus…like peer tutors, research help, mental health supports, and Student Accessibility Services for those with learning exceptionalities or for neurodivergent students
- How to practice self-care when your friends are going out partying, or how to deal with loneliness if you have no friends.. (yet)
The Game Plan covers:
Are you ready for college or university?
Many students are excited, but at the same time, might feel secretly anxious, worried about keeping up or fitting in, and can’t imagine how they’ll manage the workload of 10 full-time courses over the span of just 28 weeks.
Yep, that’s a whole year’s worth of learning in about half a year. And the standard workload at post-secondary.
Adding to the strain are worries about living away from home, striking out alone, knowing no one, and being in a completely unfamiliar environment.
Exhilarating for some.. unnerving for others...
I was inspired to write The Game Plan because I knew I could help…
I’m the one who builds and teaches university courses, designs assessments, and knows how the college or university experience goes because I have taught first year classes for over 20 years, so I have the inside scoop.
I know what the school wants and expects from you,
I know why coursework is designed the way it is,
I know why deadlines are actually deadlines,
I know why you “have to take that stupid class” even when you think you’ll never need that content…
Because this experience is about so much more than academics.
- 19 informative, inspiring and engaging audio recordings (seven hours of audio in total) where I guide your through all the things you need to know!
- A custom-designed lesson-by-lesson downloadable workbook called The Playbook for you to jot down your thoughts, plans, dreams, goals and mindset about this new adventure
- 19 transcripts that accompany each of the audio recordings for those who like to follow along visually as well
- A Learning Styles quiz for you to take to help you identify what kind of learner you are: Are you Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic, or Read and Write? (or a combination of some of these?) Knowing this helps determine how you learn the best, how you should take notes and how you can best prepare for tests and exams without losing your mind
- And this is a big one.. sample email templates you can use to introduce yourself to your professors and let them know if you have special circumstances they should be aware of {i.e. you’re a student athlete and will be travelling during the term, you’re a student registered with Student Accessibility Services and will need accommodation, you’re a neurodivergent student and additional supports will be a part of your study plan, or if you have been away due to an illness or an injury and require accommodation}. I’ve written these emails for you to take the guesswork out of it all
- And live coaching with me weekly {September – December} and bi-weekly (January – April}. I host these myself where we discuss important issues as they come up. Each session includes a live Q & A session with me.. ask me anything..
- Making the transition to college or university
- Getting organized and getting going
- Making friends and finding “your people”
- How to study and plan for success… and that means VERY different things to different people
- Getting academic support when ya need it: peer tutoring, TA office hours, or academic counselling
- Getting involved on campus; sports or politics anyone?
- Dealing with homesickness….this too shall pass, hopefully, and what do to if it doesn’t
- Or dealing with “My mom won’t stop calling.. what do I do?” (answer the phone, and let’s negotiate boundaries for both of ya..)
- Finding help when, or if, the time comes…mental health, being seen by a doc for the flu or a local dentist for a toothache
- Safety tips and strategies.. where to go, when to go and with whom to go.. or not. Let’s talk about intimate relationships and substance use….yeah, we’re going there…
- and more...
Get The Game Plan
What’s included in The Game Plan:
Frequently asked Questions
I’m already in my first year of university — is it too late for The Game Plan to help?
What makes The Game Plan different from other post-secondary prep courses?
Is The Game Plan only for students who plan on attending university?
Won’t my university or college make sure I’m ready to succeed at their school?
Get The Game Plan
In a word: no. Students quickly discover that colleges and universities are institutions of higher learning, and that THEY THEMSELVES need to be ready for the experience. Yes, staff and faculty care deeply about their students, but they do not have the capacity to coddle them as they make their transition to post-secondary school. The expectation is that they are there, ready to learn. The Game Plan however does provide the resources, insights and support students will benefit from when they need some guidance and answers, now. This plan was designed by me to help students successfully navigate their new learning (and living) environments. And I love to see you WIN.
Won’t my university or college make sure I’m ready to succeed at their school?
Not at all! The Game Plan is designed to be applicable to both university and college life. The life transition is similar, whether you are attending university or college. Contrary to popular belief, programs offered at post-secondary institutions, whether they be 2, 3 or 4 year programs can ALL be MAJORLY rigorous and The Game Plan will ensure you are prepared to make the leap and support you once you get there, no matter the destination.
Is The Game Plan only for students who plan on attending university?
Unlike some other courses that focus primarily on substantive subject material (a.k.a. math, science, language and so on), The Game Plan is designed to prepare and support students for the life part of college or university. Meaning, it addresses alllll the things, including finding friends, navigating academics, sport commitments, addressing learning exceptionalities or language barriers, as well as keeping stress levels low and maximizing the joy that this adventure can bring!
What makes The Game Plan different from other post-secondary prep courses?
Absolutely not. Now that you’ve already come face to face with some of the challenges that are common to post-secondary life, The Game Plan will be even more beneficial. The weekly live coaching sessions and Q+A time can have an immediate impact on your experience, and help you make the necessary shifts to adapt and thrive in your new environment.
I’m already in my first year of university — is it too late for The Game Plan to help?
Testimonial
“I wanted to send you a note to genuinely say thank you. These past couple of days of transition have proven to be quite difficult and made me feel hopeless. Your support however truly made me feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. You (so lovingly) proved that this path was meant to be, and my journey is only beginning. From the bottom of my heart thank you. You have already made such a profound impact on me.”
— Gracie
Student transitioning to post-secondary school
“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
