32 Back to School spots open for the 2026–2027 school year. Learn more here.
How Vichea went from academic burnout to graduate
Vichea was starting assignments the day they were due and sleeping to escape overwhelm. With executive function support, he raised his GPA from 2.7 to 3.05, built lasting systems, and learned to navigate life independently.
Milestones we achieved with Vichea
Raised Academic Performance
He improved his GPA from 2.7 to 3.05 in his final year, turning his grades around when it mattered most.
Created Daily Planning Habits
He developed a consistent system using visual tools and reminders that helped him stay on top of assignments and responsibilities.
Gained Independence
His family went from constant worry to stepping back with confidence, trusting him to lead his own decisions.
Where Vichea was before
Vichea was in his final year at Virginia Tech when he started working with his executive function tutor, Atika. Though intelligent and capable, he often felt paralyzed by overwhelm. Assignments were regularly started the day they were due, leading to chronic burnout, erratic sleep, and feelings of failure.
He struggled to balance personal ambitions, like joining clubs or reconnecting with friends, with the daily academic grind. When emotionally triggered, he found it hard to regulate his emotions and regain focus.
These patterns weren’t just impacting his grades; they were chipping away at his self-worth. Group projects left him feeling like a weak link. He coped by shutting down or sleeping, only to wake up more behind.
His older sister described it as “walking on eggshells.” Frustration sometimes boiled over, not out of blame, but from not fully understanding what he was going through.
“Even when my mind was screaming that it was pointless, I kept going. That’s something I couldn’t do before.” (Vichea)
He graduated with a 3.05 GPA, up from a 2.7 at the start of his senior year
He built a consistent planning and task management system using sticky notes and a whiteboard
He practiced setting alarms as reminders to do things he used to forget to do
He has developed a habit of addressing problems and finding their solutions right away instead of putting them off
He developed more confidence in driving, cooking, and managing responsibilities at home
He proactively tried support from a therapist and dermatologist
He navigated the complexities of post-grad life, including visa steps and job searches
He learned to listen to his body, move past self-sabotaging thoughts, and push through to get his work done and learn to discern when to give himself a break
He learned to break down large, overwhelming tasks into smaller steps, making it easier to get started and stay on track
Even more powerful? His family noticed the shift too. They’ve started stepping back by trusting Vichea to take the lead, and offering support from a place of understanding, not urgency.
Vichea’s outcomes
With Atika’s support, Vichea began exploring new tools, without judgment, like testing whiteboards, sticky notes, virtual calendars and other visual systems until something clicked.
He built a weekly rhythm around job-hunting tasks, personal appointments (i.e gym sessions, doctor appointments, etc), and energy check-ins.
He became kinder to himself on his “off” days, learning that rest didn’t mean failure. Instead, it meant recharge. He worked on reframing negative thoughts, practiced letting go of an “all or nothing” mentality, recognized small wins, like professionally responding to messages or following through on daily goals. Slowly but surely, the cycle shifted.
How We Got There
From day one, Atika prioritized trust. Their sessions were rooted in patience, validation, and curious questioning. All of this helped Vichea identify the executive function blocks behind his burnout and procrastination.
Together, they focused on identifying patterns, setting weekly goals, and co-creating flexible systems that fit his real life. Atika helped break down long-term tasks like creating his resume into bite-sized, winnable steps.
Between sessions, she stayed connected by providing accountability and encouragement when things got tough.
Behind the scenes, Vichea’s family received weekly session notes. Those updates didn’t just inform, they transformed the way his family understood him. With that insight, they offered support that felt more collaborative and less corrective.
Thrive like Vichea with a 60-min Momentum session
Help your child tackle overwhelm, procrastination, and disorganization in school and life.
In just a 60-minute Momentum Session, discover how our Executive Function approach can unlock your child’s potential:
Fill out the form to schedule Momentum Session
(takes 30 seconds)
$100 refundable deposit to secure scheduling (refundable after Gameplan Call)
Your one-stop place for Executive Function Coaching, Tutoring & Learning with AI.
