Mitali Makhijani

I start by listening. In the first session, I find out what a student wants to achieve and what is getting in the way, whether that’s stress, a lack of focus or low confidence. Together we turn each goal into small weekly steps, so progress is visible and motivating. I teach practical habits like planning a week, prioritising tasks and breaking revision into manageable blocks, using examples from my own experience balancing the IB, sport and leadership roles. I explain ideas simply, as I did when running sessions for my school’s Marketing Club, and I check understanding by asking the student to explain it back to me. Each session ends with one clear action, and the next begins by reviewing it, with encouragement for what went well.

I also adapt to each student. Some learn best by writing things down, others by talking them through, so I try different approaches until one works. I teach mindset skills too, such as treating a setback as information rather than failure, and noticing small wins to build self-confidence. I keep sessions positive and pressure-free, so students feel safe being honest about what they find difficult. I track progress with the student, so they can see how far they have come, and I gradually hand over ownership, so they leave with habits they can use independently. If a student seems to be struggling beyond what coaching can address, I would encourage them to speak to a trusted adult or professional. I am committed to the students success!