Every college journey is different—but success doesn’t have to be a mystery. Whether your student is just starting out or trying to turn things around, the right system can help them get organized, study smarter, and build real momentum. Let’s make this their best semester yet.
NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm so glad you are here!
I’m Dr. Dagny Rearden*, a college professor with over two decades of experience—and a mom who knows what it’s like to watch a smart student struggle. That’s why I created College Success Made Simple: to help students build the systems they need to stay on track, reduce stress, and thrive in college. If your student is overwhelmed, disorganized, or just not reaching their potential, they don’t need a tutor—they need a plan. I can help.
 My system focuses on the following:
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📍 GPS – Goals, Priorities, Systems
This quick-start module helps students map out their “why” for college and align it with clear priorities and systems that will guide their daily decisions—so they don’t just stay busy, they make real progress.
🧠Mindset Matters
Success starts between the ears. This module helps students shift from reactive to proactive, build academic confidence, and develop the mental habits that fuel follow-through—even when things get hard.
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📆 Planapalooza – Design a Semester You Can Actually Do
This module teaches students how to plan with clarity instead of guesswork. From reading syllabi like a pro to backward planning and time-blocking, they’ll walk away with a semester map that makes the workload feel doable—and reduces last-minute panic.
✅ Win the Week & Do the Work – Build a Routine & Follow Through
Success isn’t about motivation—it’s about systems. These two modules help students anchor their week with repeatable routines, master daily habits like class attendance and note-taking, and build accountability so assignments actually get done (without all-nighters).
🧪 Study for Exams – Study Smart, Not Just Hard
This module replaces passive review with active, brain-based strategies that actually work. Students learn how to build a study toolkit, create a test prep plan, and walk into exams with confidence—because cramming is not a strategy.
🧩 Putting It All Together – Your Semester Blueprint
This wrap-up module helps students connect the dots. They’ll build a personalized system for planning, studying, and following through—so success becomes repeatable, not accidental.
My Story
I didn’t start out as a college success coach. I started as a mom watching her son struggle.
Like so many students, he lost critical learning time during the pandemic. By the time he reached Pre-Calculus, he was drowning—his midterm grade was an F. And as a parent, there’s nothing more painful than feeling helpless when your child is in over their head.
But we didn’t give up. I used my experience as a college professor to teach him active study strategies and build a system he could stick to. He pulled that F up to a D by the end of the semester—and then started fresh with a plan. In just one term, he went from failing to earning a solid B, all while playing a varsity sport.
He started college with confidence—and he's been on the Dean's list ever since.
Now, I help other families do the same: build the habits, systems, and confidence their students need to succeed in college without constant stress or burnout.
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Want to know where your student stands with college skills?
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It's never to late for your student to get organized and study smart!
Get Assessment Now!
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It’s not that your students is not capable - it's just easy to get overwhelmed and hard to know where to start.
Once they get behind, it is hard to catch up.Â
With this system, students can succeed balancing academics and college fun!
"Before my mom taught me how to study, I just looked over stuff and crammed. I never really learned it."
- My Son
"Once I got organized, I realized I had wasted so much time & energy. Keeping up is easy and my study time was focused."
-Â My Student, Keven
"This framework worked for me. I don't have to take classes over now!"
-Â My Student, Madison
Why I Believe This Matters
As a first-generation college student, I had to figure it all out on my own. I didn’t get straight A’s, but I earned a strong GPA, passed a major licensing exam after six months of studying, and went on to earn two master’s degrees and a PhD—all while working full time.
I didn’t succeed because I was naturally brilliant. I succeeded because I built the skills to study effectively and manage my time wisely. And those are the same skills your student can learn.
They don’t have to be perfect. But they do need to pass—and ideally, enjoy college along the way. With the right systems, they can do both. That’s what College Success Made Simple is here for.
Wishing your student their BEST SEMESTER YET !!
Dagny*
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*Dagny Rearden is my alias, as I wish to remain anonymous. For one, I talk about my son and my students frequently and I don’t want to compromise their identities. Second, I’m a very private individual. I don’t even have a social media account! And finally, it is my desire to live a quiet life…. “Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 GNTD
Thanks for understanding!
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It's never to late to get organized and study smart!
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