Student life coach

Heart-to-heart talk with an experienced coach about life.

For students of Wageningen University.
Also available during Winter Holidays!

The coronavirus turned our lives upside down. Lots of online studying, limited meetings with friends and family. Alone in a room or living with your parents again... this may confront you with all sorts of uncertainties.

In this new situation, many questions arise. How to maintain good mental health, while being alone a lot? How to keep a functional study routine? How to make friends as a new student in Wageningen? What to do about pondering or stress? How to relate to what is happening in the world?

In a Heart-to-Heart conversation, you can talk to an experienced student life coach about challenging situations in your life. Loneliness, relationships (love, friends, family), motivation, health, making choices, or questions about your future. Nothing is taboo.

NOTE: For questions about study delay, financial issues or disability, please see the Student Dean or e-mail to studentdean@wur.nl
For serious personal problems, see the Student Psychologists or e-mail to studentpsychologists@wur.nl

With Heart-to-Heart, Student Training & Support offers short consultations. A conversation with a good listener may just take a load off your mind in these challenging times. Don’t hesitate to contact us:
e-mail one of the coaches and ask for a Heart-to-Heart.

Talks can be in Dutch or English
Not all coaches can meet face to face.
After receiving your e-mail the coach will contact you for an appointment.
Duration 45-60 minutes / max. 3 appointments
The first 3 appointments are free of charge. However, if you are in need of extra appointments you can discuss this with the coach. Please note these sessions will be at your own expense.

Student life coaches

Marloes Harkema

Sometimes there is a moment in your studies that you feel at a loss or alone. Or a phase where stress and tension overwhelm you. A situation in which you cannot see which steps to take or what is the best path for you. But you don’t have to investigate that alone. Looking forward to explore this with you.

For a Heart-to-Heart with Marloes:

E-mail to Marloes

Learn more about Marloes

What will Marloes offer?

I train students in presentation and negotiation skills, support students with anxiety for public speaking, and coach student teams. ‘Engaged, clear and calm’ are the keywords students use to characterize me. Sharing your story can bring relief and clarity. In our conversation we can explore together how you can find the tools to continue with more motivation and energy.

More about Marloes

I find my own inspiration in a zen centre where I live and work part of the year. For Spectrum I organize writing workshops on grief, give meditations and organize Buddhist Inspiration Evenings. Unavoidably, we encounter difficult phases in our lives. I went through a difficult period after my husband became seriously ill, and died at the age of 27. Writing and connecting with others helped me to process these times and eight years later I published these experiences in a book on grief. Without exception, we all find our ways in dealing with difficulties in our lives. But you don’t have to walk that road alone. You are welcome!

Martijn van der Spoel

I am fascinated by the brain. Its power, resourcefulness and, perhaps most of all, ability to create. Added to this the fact that you can reframe brain patterns makes the process of our thinking and doing very interesting. I am committed to helping people discover what works best for them.

For a Heart-to-Heart with Martijn:

E-mail to Martijn

Learn more about Martijn

What will Martijn offer?

The reason I agreed to this initiative is the many questions WUR students asked me in recent weeks. It has clearly shown me the nature of the challenges during this unique time. Feel free to arrange a phone call or online meeting if you want to just share or explore how you could do things differently.

More about Martijn

I was born in the north of The Netherlands. My parents started to foster children when I was six, which instilled in me an interest for people of diverse backgrounds. When I was nineteen I moved to the UK to learn English after which I studied and taught at a secondary school near London. Further studies in the US and London led me to Psychology of Education in which I hold a PHD from the Institute of Education, London University. Currently I run a business, Glia Learning Ltd, where I work with students of various backgrounds at wide-ranging abilities.

Marije Wolthuis

In this crazy time of social distancing, online colleges and digital drinks, everything seems to get zoomed (;-)) in on. All of a sudden we are being confronted with questions, emotions, struggles that didn’t seem to have been there before. Or at least not this overwhelming.

For a Heart-to-Heart with Marije:

E-mail to Marije

Learn more about Marije

What will Marije offer?

Loneliness, motivational dips, questions about life (Why am I doing this? What is it that I really want in life? What will my future look like?). How do you deal with all of this? You’re welcome to share your story, your questions with me. During a phone call or during a ‘real’ conversation at my practice in the town centre. I’d love to listen to you and think along with you so you can get inspired and motivated again.

More about Marije

I love colour, being outside and having deep conversations. I obtained my Masters’ degree in Nijmegen but my passion for nature and my interest in sustainability made me move to the green, vibrant (although not at the moment) town of Wageningen. I live here with my husband and children. I work as a coach-counselor at my own practice where I coach students and young professionals dealing with stress and/or burn-out issues.