Coaching
Whether you are facing stress, self-doubt, difficult relationships with supervisors, or simply craving more purpose and balance in your life, coaching can offer the support you need. Through a personalised journey, you will gain clarity, confidence, and the tools to navigate challenges—both academic and personal—with greater ease.
You are also welcome if you simply want to talk things through, share what is on your mind, do not have a clear question yet, or are still unsure whether coaching is right for you.
Possible coach themes
Coaching is open to everyone—whether you are struggling with something specific, feeling stuck, or just curious to see things from a new perspective. Your personal question is always central. Some common themes are:
Finding balance in a busy life
Dealing with stress and uncertainty
Living in line with your values
Perfectionism and fear of failure
Self-confidence
Personal leadership and making choices
Dealing with your inner critic
Maintaining motivation
Coping with performance and work pressure
Collaborating (e.g. with fellow students or your internship supervisor)
Recognizing and respecting your own needs and boundaries
Procrastination
Planning and organizing
Receiving and processing feedback
Building resilience after setbacks
Scheduling an appointment
You can choose between an appointment on location (Hijmans van den Bergh building), a walking session, or an online meeting. You can make an appointment with one of the following coaches:
| Faculty of Medical Sciences | Schedule an appointment via Planzelf. If you cannot get an appointment through Planzelf quickly enough and you have an urgent question, please contact Nynke Okma or Kirsten Boersma-van Nierop by email. |
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| Faculty of Science |
Coaching is primarily intended for a short trajectory focused on a concrete development step. Make an appointment with the student psychologist if you are experiencing more psychological problems that are affecting your studies. If you think your symptoms are severe, we advise you to contact your general practitioner (GP) directly. In case of an emergency outside office hours or during the weekend, you can contact the GP post (huisartsenpost).
What does a coaching programme look like?
The structure of a coaching programme depends on your needs. Each session lasts about one hour. Sometimes one or two meetings are enough to help you move forward. A longer programme usually follows these steps:
| Step 1: Introduction and goals | We start with an introduction in a confidential setting. Together, we define your coaching question and set goals. If there is a good match, we continue. If needed, we can also refer you to other forms of guidance within or outside the university. |
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| Step 2: Implementation | At the beginning of each session, you decide what you want to focus on. The coach listens, asks in-depth questions, and may use different methods that provide insight and support your development. Reflection exercises or homework assignments can be part of this process. |
| Step 3: Completion | At the end of the coaching process, we discuss how you can maintain what you have learned and how to continue your development. We also evaluate the coaching experience together. |
The Online Coaching Center
The Online Coaching Centre (OCC) is a student-led initiative offering free peer-to-peer coaching for anyone looking to grow, explore, and learn.
Your coach is a trained fellow student, selected for their commitment to personal development and supporting others. The OCC also helps young coaches develop their skills within a supportive coaching community.
What to expect from your coach:
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn
- A collaborative approach to your questions
- Recognition of your strengths
- Warmth and genuine engagement
- A shared commitment to growth and experimentation