Cheat Codes for School Success: How an EF Coach Can Help Your Teen Level Up
- Catriona M
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Updated: May 19
Summary:
School can be compared to a video game, where subjects are levels, assignments are quests, and tests are boss battles with executive function (EF) skills acting as the power-ups that help students succeed.
Key EF skills like planning, organizing, time management, focus, emotional regulation, goal-setting, and self-advocacy are essential for navigating the challenges of school.
An Executive Function Coach is like a Game Master, providing personalized strategies to help students optimize these skills and tackle academic tasks with greater confidence and ease.
The coach assists with breaking down projects, managing time, boosting motivation, and troubleshooting unproductive habits.
Working with an EF coach enables teens to “level up” their abilities, making school less stressful and more successful.
Inviting your teen to think of school as a video game may help them understand how working with an executive function coach can help them level up and succeed in school.
What do video games have to do with school? A lot!
Imagine school as a video game—one with different levels, quests, and challenges. Each subject is a new level, and teachers are the in-game guides (NPCs) providing missions (assignments). Your teen starts as a beginner, learning basic moves (reading, writing, and math), and as they advance, the challenges become harder.
Assignments = Quests that earn experience points (XP)
Tests = Boss battles that require preparation and strategy
Report Cards = The scoreboard that reflects progress
New School Year = Unlocking the next level
Just like in a game, school success isn’t just about talent—it’s about strategy, persistence, and having the right tools.
This is where executive function skills come in. These skills act as the "power-ups", game mechanics, and 'cheat codes' that help teens "level up" and navigate the challenges of school effectively.
Key Executive Function Skills = Help Your Teen Level Up in School
Executive function skills, like essential game strategies, play a role in school success. Let's compare:
Planning = Prepping for a difficult quest or boss battle
Before diving in, players check their resources, estimate how long a mission might take, and identify challenges ahead. In school, planning means breaking down assignments, setting deadlines, and preparing for big projects.
Organizing = Keeping inventory sorted for quick access
A messy inventory in a game means wasted time searching for key items. In school, staying organized (notes, homework, digital files) ensures students can find what they need when they need it.
Time Management = Beating the in-game clock
Every game has time-sensitive tasks. In school, students juggle assignments, tests, and activities—learning to prioritize time wisely is the difference between
levelling up and falling behind.
Staying Focused = Avoiding distractions and staying on track
In video games, distractions (side quests, in-game ads) can pull players off course. In school, social media, procrastination, noise, and friends compete for attention. Strengthening focus keeps students locked onto their goals.
Regulating Emotions = Staying calm in high-pressure moments
Panicking in a boss battle leads to mistakes. The same happens in school—stress, frustration, or test anxiety can derail performance. Learning to manage emotions in healthy ways keeps students steady under pressure.
Setting Goals = Tracking progress toward achievements
Games have objectives—defeat this boss, reach this level. School works the same way. Setting short-term and long-term goals helps students stay motivated and measure their progress.
Self-Advocating = Asking for help when stuck
In games, players seek guidance from NPCs when they’re lost. In school, asking teachers for help, joining study groups, and using available resources are key to overcoming obstacles.
How an Executive Function Coach Supports School Success
An Executive Function Coach is like a Game Master—they don’t play the game for your teen, but they provide strategies, guidance, and tools to help them succeed. Here’s some ways they help students level up:
What an EF Coach Does | How it Helps |
Builds custom play styles | Identifying EF strengths and challenges allows an EF coach to create a personalized success plan. |
Maps out the game plan | Breaking big projects into smaller, manageable steps, makes assignments less overwhelming. |
Teaches time hacks | Using timers, reminders, and scheduling techniques avoids last-minute crunches. |
Boosts motivation | Supporting students as they push through tough levels and celebrating progress helps build confidence. |
Troubleshoots 'glitches' | Identifying and changing unproductive habits like procrastination, disorganization, or overwhelm enables students to manage school with greater ease. |
Provides Co-op Mode | Offering accountability, feedback, and encouragement throughout the journey makes students feel supported. |
By mastering executive function skills, students don’t just survive the Game of School—they thrive, unlocking new levels of confidence, independence, and success!
Talking to Your Teen: How an Executive Function Coach Can Help Them Win the Game of School
Introducing your teen to the idea of working with an executive function (EF) coach can be tricky—especially if they feel like school is just another grind. But if your teen enjoys gaming, you can frame it as getting access to a Game Master (GM) who helps them level up faster, avoid frustrating setbacks, and unlock their full potential.
How to Start the Conversation:
"You know how in video games, the right strategies and skills make everything easier?"
→ Just like a game, school gets harder as you move up levels. An EF coach is like a game guide—someone who helps you develop the best strategies so you don’t waste time or energy figuring everything out the hard way.
"Think of school like an RPG (Role Playing Game). What if you could upgrade your skills faster?"
→ In every great game, you need to unlock new abilities—time management, organization, focus—to beat tougher levels. An EF coach helps you train these skills so they become second nature, like learning a new combo move in a game.
"Even the best players use guides and coaches to get better."
→ Pro gamers, streamers, and even esports teams have coaches to improve their gameplay. An EF coach works the same way—helping you fine-tune your strategies so you can win at school with less stress and more success.
Explain the advantages
There are several ways an executive function coach an help you 'level up' and learn to play the Game of School with ease and confidence:
Strategic Planning = Better Game Strategy
→ Instead of running in blind, an EF coach helps you map out your quests (assignments, tests, projects) so you can tackle them more efficiently.
Organized Inventory = Quick Access to the Right Tools
→ No more searching through a messy backpack (or Google Drive). An EF coach helps you set up a system that works, so you always know where to find what you need.
Time Management = More XP, Less Burnout
→ Balancing multiple quests is tough. An EF coach helps you optimize your time so you don’t feel overwhelmed or fall into procrastination traps.
Focus Mode Unlocked = Better Study Sessions
→ Just like using "concentration mode" in a game, an EF coach helps you develop focus skills so you get work done faster and avoid distractions.
Emotional Resilience = Boss Battle Ready → When challenges come up (like tests or tough assignments), an EF coach helps you stay calm under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.
Self-Advocacy = Unlocking Help When Needed
→ Just like talking to NPCs for tips, an EF coach helps you learn how to ask teachers for help, use resources effectively, and advocate for yourself.
Why It Matters? Work Smarter, Not Harder
A lot of students grind through school the hard way—cramming, pulling all-nighters, feeling stressed, and barely keeping up. Working with an EF coach is like having a trainer who helps you optimize your skills so you can level up (improve your performance) faster, with less frustration.
Ask your teen:
"What’s the hardest part of school for you right now?"
"If you could ‘cheat code’ one thing in school, what would it be?"
"Would you want to try working with someone who can help you level up without grinding so hard?"
Approaching the conversation from a strength-based, problem-solving perspective makes it more engaging and less about "fixing" anything—because an EF coach isn’t about fixing weaknesses, it’s about maximizing strengths to win the Game of School. 🎮
Did you enjoy this post? You may be interested in exploring the suggestions on how to talk to your teen about working with an EF Coach (or doing something you know is good for them but they are reluctant to try) in this blog post: How to Talk With Your Teen about Executive Function Coaching: A Guide for Parents
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