Habits of High Impact Experience

Welcome to the Vana Lab Habits of High Impact Experience — a semester-long, cohort-based journey that empowers your child with essential executive skills to achieve their goals, learn effectively, and work well with others. Led by an experienced Vana Lab Guide, the cohort meets weekly in live sessions where students explore and apply high-impact success habits to a personal focus project and their daily routines.

At the heart of this program is the core success habit of going from vision to completion. Your child will learn how to execute by taking their ideas from concept to reality, building the skills to set goals, create actionable plans, and follow through to achieve meaningful outcomes.

In addition, your child will build self-awareness and practice essential habits such as public speaking, emotional intelligence, time and energy management, critical thinking, and resilience. These transformative skills build both confidence and competence, setting your child up not just for immediate wins, but for sustained, long-term growth and success.

Program details

Learn more information about the experience below. If you want to give your child a sense of the experience, you can share this page with them.

Upon enrollment, your child meets one-on-one with a Guide to explore their goals and interests and select a real-world project to work on during the program.

They will then join a small cohort of no more than 12 peers and start the following 10-week experience led by an experience Guide. We meet once a week in-person/virtual for 90-minutes with a 60-minute mid-week virtual peer check in.

Topics Covered (order of skills will be tailored to each cohort group):

  • Week 1: Kickoff: Goal setting – Taking responsibility – Keeping commitments
  • Week 2: Time and energy management
  • Week 3: Communicating with confidence and impact
    • One-on-one check in with Guide on project progress
  • Week 4: Growth mindset – Developing effective habits – Resilience
    • Take OCEAN assessment
  • Week 5: Emotional intelligence (self and social awareness and management)
    • Peer-review of project progress
    • Take EQ assessment
  • Week 6: Self-advocacy – Setting boundaries
    • Peer feedback
  • Week 7: Learning to learn – Deliberate practice – Feedback
    • One-on-one check in with Guide on project progress
  • Week 8: Critical thinking – Effective decision making
  • Week 9: Synthesizing ideas well
    • Peer review and practice for capstone presentation
  • Week 10: Capstone presentation to showcase goal and lessons learned
 

 

During each weekly group session, your child will engage in these four steps: 

Explore Our Approach and Our Philosophy pages for insight into our program design.

 

We help your child choose the right project based on their interests, skills, and growth areas. The goal is a clear, achievable outcome that expands their perspective and builds specific skills.

They can create their own project or pick from our list of options. Here are a few examples:

Example 1: Designing a Custom Desk

  • Goal: Design and build a custom desk for studying and creative work.
  • Project Overview: Draft a design, source materials, and construct a functional desk tailored to their needs.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, time management, communication, resilience, critical thinking, and hands-on craftsmanship.
  • Highlights: Define project scope, manage time, seek expert advice, overcome design challenges, and present the finished desk.

 


Example 2: Creating a Marketing Plan

  • Goal: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan for launching a new product aimed at teenagers.
  • Project Overview: Research market trends, identify target audiences, and create strategies for branding and promotion.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, research, critical thinking, communication, and strategic planning.
  • Highlights: Conduct market analysis, create marketing strategies, evaluate tactics, and pitch the final plan.

 


Example 3: Learning to Play a Classical Music Piece

  • Goal: Master and perform Beethoven’s “Für Elise” on the piano.
  • Project Overview: Focus on technical mastery, emotional expression, and preparing for a live performance.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, time management, emotional intelligence, practice discipline, and performance skills.
  • Highlights: Commit to learning the piece, manage practice time, interpret emotions in music, and perform confidently.

 


Example 4: Starting a Small Business

  • Goal: Launch a small business, such as an online store for handmade crafts.
  • Project Overview: Create a business plan, manage operations, and engage with customers to drive sales.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, time management, communication, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship.
  • Highlights: Develop a business plan, balance business and school, engage customers, make strategic decisions, and present the business model.

 


Example 5: Creating a Digital Art Portfolio

  • Goal: Build a digital portfolio showcasing original artwork.
  • Project Overview: Curate and present a collection of their best work, focusing on artistic development and technical skills.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, time management, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
  • Highlights: Outline portfolio focus, manage creation time, present and critique work, and showcase artistic growth.

 


Example 6: Training for a 10K Race

  • Goal: Train and complete a 10K race.
  • Project Overview: Follow a structured running program, gradually building endurance and speed to achieve their race goal.
  • Skills Learned: Goal setting, time management, resilience, physical fitness, and self-discipline.
  • Highlights: Create a training schedule, monitor progress, overcome physical and mental challenges, and successfully complete the race.

 

As part of their Vana Lab experience, your child will learn essential life skills that go beyond the classroom:

  • Ambitious Goal-Setting: Setting meaningful goals that align with their interests and personal growth, considering both feasibility and purpose.
  • Ownership and Accountability: Taking responsibility for their actions and outcomes, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their achievements.
  • Effective Communication: Becoming confident communicators, able to articulate their ideas and collaborate effectively with peers, mentors, and other stakeholders.
  • Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Building the fortitude and perseverance needed to navigate setbacks and challenges with a positive mindset.
  • Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness: Gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, learning to manage their emotions and respond thoughtfully to different situations.
  • Capacity, Competence, and Confidence: Enhancing their competence in their area of interest, leading to greater confidence in their skills and decisions.
  • Building Meaningful Relationships: Through collaborative projects and small-group interactions, forming strong, supportive relationships with like-minded peers, contributing to their social and emotional development.
  • Holistic Impact: The skills and habits developed during this program can positively influence your child’s personal, academic, and social success, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in all areas of life.

We aim to group teens with peers of similar age to ensure the best experience. In smaller groups, we may combine high school students, but we won’t mix middle and high school students.

  • Grades 7-8 – meets in-person only
  • Grades 9-10 – meets virtually or hybrid
  • Grades 11-12 – meets virtually or hybrid

 

Besides being in the age range, there are no other prerequisites beyond a genuine interest to be a part of this program and a commitment to attend all the sessions barring emergencies. 


Who This Program May Not Be Right For:

  • Parents Looking for Test Prep or College Counseling: While Vana Lab equips teens with the skills that can help them excel in school and be well-positioned for top-tier universities, our focus is on holistic development rather than just college admissions or grades. If your primary need is college counseling or SAT/ACT preparation, this program may not fully align with your expectations. This program is designed for teens who don’t need tutoring and want to build the habits that will accelerate their impact in whatever they are doing. 
  • Resistant Teens: If your child is strongly resistant to participating, they may struggle to engage with Vana Lab’s self-directed, goal-oriented approach. However, if they are open to learning, even if not fully motivated yet, they can still benefit from the program. Teens who are willing to take initiative and explore growth opportunities will gain the most from this experience.
  • Parents Seeking Academic Tutoring: If your priority is for your child to see immediate improvements in grades or test scores in a particular subject, Vana Lab may not be the best fit. Our focus is on habit and skill development, which often manifests in more substantial, sustainable growth over time rather than quick academic fixes. We do not focus on tutoring specific school subjects, although your child will learn skills at Vana Lab to improve the way they study and learn.  

General applications open:

  • October 24, 2024 for the Spring 2025 cohort
  • June 9, 2025 for the Fall 2025 cohort‍

We evaluate applications on a rolling cycle. This means that if you submit your application tomorrow, we will review it and get back to you within 2-3 weeks. Once the program is full, we will no longer accept applications.

We are currently enrolling for the Spring 2025 cohort (January 2025-April 2025).


Logistics:

Dates and Times for Spring 2025

  • Hybrid Session for 9-12th Graders
    • (In-person sessions in Midtown Manhattan near Bryant Park)
      • In-Person (Saturdays, 2pm-3:30pm ET):
        • Kickoff – Jan 11 (2pm-4pm ET)
        • Feb 1
        • March 1  
        • Capstone – April 5 or 12 (depending on enrollee schedule)
      • Virtual (Tuesdays, 7pm-8:30pm ET):
        • Jan 21
        • Jan 28
        • Feb 9 (Sunday) 
        • Mar 11
        • Mar 18
        • Mar 25
  • Fully Virtual Session on Zoom for 9th-12th Graders 
    • Virtual (Mondays, 7pm-8:30pm ET)
      • Kickoff – Jan 6
      • Jan 13
      • Jan 27
      • Feb 3
      • Feb 10
      • Mar 3
      • Mar 10
      • Mar 17
      • Mar 24 
      • Capstone – April 7
  • Fully In-Person Session for 7th-8th Graders
    • (All sessions in Dyker Heights, South Brooklyn, Sundays, 2pm-3:30pm ET)
      • Kickoff – Jan 12 (2pm-4pm ET)
      • Jan 19
      • Jan 26
      • Feb 2
      • Feb 9
      • Mar 2
      • Mar 9
      • Mar 16
      • Mar 23 
      • Capstone – April 6 or 13 (depending on enrollee schedule)
 

Meet your Guide: Robert Chen

Robert is an experienced educator with over 15 years of expertise, specializing in coaching high-performing leaders at Fortune 100 companies to develop critical executive skills. As a lecturer at Wharton, executive coach at Exec-Comm, and founder of Vana Lab, Robert has trained tens of thousands of professionals in leadership, communication, and personal and career development. With a passion for empowering the next generation, Robert launched Vana Lab to equip young people with the essential skills and network to thrive in the real world. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a double-major in Chemistry and Economics from Cornell University. He’s the author of the WSJ best-seller Selling Your Expertise and is a sought-after coach, speaker, and author.
 

At Vana Lab, we understand that investing in your child’s education and development is a significant decision. Our cohort experience is designed to provide a transformative experience, equipping your child with essential skills and lasting habits, a success-oriented mindset, and a support network of like-minded peers.

Program Investment

  • Tuition:
    • $3,375 for the hybrid and all in-person experience
    • $2,650 for the all-virtual experience
    • Deposit: $500
 
Early bird and pilot discounts are available! Attend an upcoming info session to find out more. 
 

We are committed to helping ambitious teens thrive, regardless of financial circumstances. With flexible payment options and financial support for families in need, we strive to make Vana Lab accessible to everyone. Book a free consultation to discuss your child’s goals and explore the best fit for your family. Don’t let financial concerns prevent you from giving your child the opportunity to grow.

What’s Included

  • 2.5 Hours a Week of Live Programming 
    • Ten Group Sessions (90 minutes): Led by experienced Guides, these sessions are interactive and practical, ensuring immediate application of learned skills to your child’s goals. 
    • Ten Virtual Peer Check Ins (60 minutes): These virtual touch points allow the cohort to connect, share progress, and support each other in a structured environment, fostering a strong sense of community and accountability.
  • Personalized Guidance and One-on-One Touch Points: Ongoing access to a dedicated Guide for personalized support and encouragement. Each child will have at least two one-on-one progress reviews.
  • Program Materials: All necessary materials are provided, including the Dreams to Reality Fieldbook, a valuable resource for turning ambitious goals into actionable steps.
  • Parent Summary: You’ll receive a summary detailing your child’s interests, personality traits, strengths, and areas for growth. This personalized report, based on assessments and our observations, will help you better understand your child’s preferences and inclinations.

 

Your Return on Investment

The Vana Lab cohort experience will help your child:

  • Develop greater self-confidence by setting and achieving meaningful goals.
  • Learn how to manage their time, energy, and emotions effectively.
  • Build a network of like-minded peers who will support them in their journey.
  • Gain practical skills that are immediately applicable in their daily lives.

 

Refund policy

At Vana Lab, we understand that circumstances and priorities can change. We are committed to providing flexibility to ensure that you feel comfortable investing in your child’s development with peace of mind. Our refund policy aims to be fair and accommodating, allowing for adjustments as needed while still maintaining the integrity of the cohort experience for all participants.

Risk-Free Trial
We want you to feel confident in your decision. If for any reason you or your child decide that the program is not the right fit after attending the first session, you may cancel your enrollment and receive a 100% refund, no questions asked. 

Refund Eligibility

  • Before the program starts: Full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee.
  • After the first session (Risk-Free Period): Full refund of tuition, minus the deposit, which can be credited toward a future program.
  • After 2-4 sessions: 50% refund of remaining tuition, minus the deposit.
  • After 5 sessions or more: No refund, but credit options for future programs may be available.


Special Circumstances

If unforeseen circumstances arise (such as medical or family emergencies), we are happy to work with you on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate resolution, including program deferment or future credits.

Refund Process
To request a refund, please contact us at least 48 hours before your next session. Refunds will be processed within 10 business days. Any financial support received will be deducted from the refundable amount.

Empower Your Child with the Habits for SuccesS

Ready to Start Your Vana Lab Journey?