Helping Adult Learners & Professionals Reach All of Their Goals

At The Learning Gardens, we know that learning doesn't stop after childhood—and neither do the challenges. Whether you're an adult student, navigating a career change, or adjusting to a new season of life like retirement, the strategies you use to reach your goals matter just as much as the goals themselves.

Research Insights

That’s where Dr. Lily Russell’s research comes in.

As part of her doctoral work, Dr. Russell studied how online learners pursue and balance multiple goals—academic, personal, professional, and beyond. Her research revealed that success wasn’t just about motivation or willpower. What really made the difference were the strategies that learners used to juggle their responsibilities and adapt when life got complicated.

Some of the most effective learners developed personalized systems for organizing information, planning ahead, and adjusting their expectations when new challenges came up. Others struggled—not because they weren’t smart or committed—but because they didn’t yet have the tools to balance everything on their plate.

How We Apply these Insights at The Learning Gardens

In her work at The Learning Gardens, Dr. Russell leverages these insights—along with her years of practical experience supporting online students at Penn State World Campus—to ensure that you have the resources and strategies you need to succeed.

What That Looks Like for You

Through individualized coaching, Dr. Russell helps adult learners and professionals:

• Clarify their goals across different areas of life

• Identify barriers (like disorganization, brain fog, or decision fatigue)

• Learn practical strategies for managing tasks and time

• Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth

Whether you're going back to school, shifting careers, starting a business, or planning for retirement, we can help you build the cognitive and executive functioning skills you need to thrive—without judgment, without pressure, and with strategies that actually fit your life.

Because learning how to learn—and how to live well—is something we all deserve support with.

Ready to move forward with confidence?