Motivation – DIY Homework

The Relationship Between Motivation and Tools

February 11, 2019

When trying to make positive grade and habits changes there is a dependent relationship between motivation and building a study skills toolbox just like those we use in carpentry workshops which are now available at woodworkingquestions website. Woodworking means different things to different folks. Many woodworkers create useful and long-lasting pieces to relieve stress and exercise their creative muscles. They’re hobbyists who know sawdust is good for the soul. Others turn professional. When taking care of wood pieces, we recommend…

The Secret to Success: Tools, Teams, and Routines

February 4, 2019

jessicafinnigan

Motivation, Parents, Procrastination, Productivity, Routines, Siblings, Strategic Advantage, Study Groups, Study Skills, Teachers, Teams, Toolbox

We all need three things to get things done effectively. We need the correct tools, helpful teams, and robust routines. When all three of these are in place we can accomplish a lot more with less stress. Tools The more tools students have in their toolbox the faster and more effectively they can study. Students who have access to a large number of study tools can be strategic. They can match the tool and their approach to the type of quiz,…

Pre-crastination: Optimizing Breaks

November 19, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Anxiety, Balance, Habits, Homework, Motivation, Precrastination, Procrastination, Productivity, Studying, Systems

While most of us lean towards procrastination there is a subset of the population who are pre-crastinators. These individuals feel a deep desire to finish their work as quickly as possible. For more background information please see this video on the differences between pre-crastination and procrastination. Because pre-crastinators need to finish their work they are willing to start immediately but often rush through their work they need a different type of work routine. Watch the video below to see a cleaver way pre-crastinators can use…

What is Pre-crastination?

November 5, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Anxiety, Habits, Motivation, Precrastination, Procrastination, Projects

We talk a lot about Procrastination, specifically how it impacts our abilities to get things done. There is another set of behaviors called Pre-crastination that is less common but often has similar effects. Watch the video to find out more about Pre-crastination and how to circumvent the blind spots it creates. Like 0

Power of Study Groups

September 25, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Group Studying, Motivation, Retrieval Practice, Teams

Often students feel that they need to do all of their studying alone. Students who learn to study with others have a huge strategic advantage when taking tests, writing paper, and communicating in class. Studying in groups can help students fill missing information through retrieval practice and teaching. Group study sessions also help students feel less isolated, build in regular study time, and avoid procrastination. I will be creating a series of posts on how to have productive group study…

National College Fairs

July 23, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Anxiety, Balance, College, Goals, Motivation

Do you want to learn more about possible colleges? National College Fairs are a free resource for high school student. They are an excellent opportunity for students to interact with hundreds of colleges and universities, from the US, Canada, and Europe. Because there is a wide variety of schools students can get a sense of the broad options available in their future. I have found that this experience of attending a National College Fair has two main benefits for students.…

The Secret of Getting Things Done

June 11, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Habits, Homework, Motivation, Productivity, Systems

I often hear my students repeat a pervasive myth about achieving in school. They believe that if they want to get more stuff done, they need to find more motivation. As a result, they often spend a lot of time and effort trying to find such a secret and elusive motivator. However, the secret that productive people know is that you can’t count on motivation, because it is unpredictable and fleeting. I teach my students that the key to getting…

Planning Productive Summers

May 28, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Goals, Habits, Motivation, Productivity, Projects, Study Skills, Summer

Do you wonder what to do over the summer while still having fun? Students and parents often feel burnt out from the school year and as a result, do not take full advantage of the opportunities that summer offers. Working on a few core skills can help students reduce their stress during school. I suggest that students start with something that interests them, such as art, writing, science, math, reading, or history. After they have picked a topic or project that…

Review: ScholarPrep College Organizer

March 26, 2018

jessicafinnigan

College, Extracurricular Activities, Goals, Motivation, Organization, Planners, Product Review

Are you stressed about college the college admissions process? There is understandably a lot of excitement stress around preparing for college. The process can feel overwhelming. I have found that the key to successfully navigating this process is to start early and to keep track of the awards, accomplishments, and events along the way. This approach can help students and parents be less anxious about because there are concrete steps they can take to shape their future proactively and will be…

Build Your Team

March 12, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Getting Unstuck, Habits, Motivation, Procrastination, Productivity, Teams, Technology

Many students believe that they must push through school entirely on their own. While students need to do their own independent work they should build a team that can help them navigate the social and academic aspects of High School. Every student’s team will be different and may change over time as their needs shift and their independence grows. Because teams are so personalized, it is vital to help students identify who is already apart of their team, and who they…