"Live a great story... do it with empathy and self-compassion"

Why a Life Coach for Young Adults Makes Sense

Today’s young adults face an overwhelming number of major life decisions and transitions. From navigating a classroom, to pursuing a healthy social life, to setting life goals, can be a lot to manage within the span of just a few years. Doing it alone can lead to stress and the feeling of being stuck or lost.

4 Key Reasons for Young Adults to Use a Coach

Planning and goal creation
Navigating classroom and academics
Managing social and emotional challenges
Accountability for personal growth and self-success.

Student Success: The Power of Thank You

As I was cleaning off my desk I ran across a handwritten thank you note I received from a student. I quickly reread the note and went to...

Failure is not an option! Who says?

Failure is not an option. Why not? Who says so? The pressure to succeed and never fail has become so ingrained in society that its...

How to Make a Smooth Transition to College

Getting into college was supposed to be the hard part. Then, with mom at a distance, weeks until the first research paper is due, and...

The Freshmen 21

It’s that time of year again when many students begin their first year of college. It’s an exciting, but also a stressful time for many....

High School to College Transition, Part One: The Freshman Myth

The month of June is a time of celebration for high school seniors. As they cross the stage in cap and gown to receive their diploma,...

High School to College Transition, Part Three: Social Challenges

In Part One of this series, I examined the freshman myth, which refers to the overly optimistic and confident mindset that many high...

I’m A Failure!

During my career in Academia, I have noticed an unhealthy trend among students. It’s not drinking or the latest designer drug, but it can...

Dr. Brian Harke

Welcome to my college/life coach website. This site is a resource for students, parents and educators alike to discuss issues of education and life in the 21st century.

Feel free to add information to the forum section, or email me with links to resources you'd like to share. I hope you find the following information helpful.

Need a Life/College Coach? brianharke@gmail.com

Resources

Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently

Managing Stress: A Guide for College Students

Find Money For College

Help Understadning Financial Aid

Princeton Review: Colleges and Majors

In A Dean’s Life,

Dr. Brian Harke shares a unique view of college life by peeling back the façade of the college brochure to share true stories of the student experience.

Eye-opening and down-to-earth, the stories will inform and enlighten those considering or currently involved with higher education.

You won’t find these stories in a recruitment brochure or on university websites.

As a Dean of Students, Dr. Harke opens his daily diary to share some of the most meaningful experiences he’s had with students over the past 15 years. He movingly describes the real experience of many who work in higher education.