There is a lot of debate about the best way to take notes. There are some studies that show that paper note taking is better for long term retention than computer-based notes. I do not think that the conclusions of these studies are not as clear as suggested. But they do highlight some important points to consider when picking a note taking strategy. 1- Paper can be easier to draw on that most software. This is very helpful for classes…
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,…
Do you ever feel frustrated that you can’t understand how to get better grades in class and on your assignments? This is very frustrating. I often have students who conclude that they “are just not smart enough” to understand. This problem does not have to do with a student’s intelligence it often comes from underestimating what learning level the teacher is using to assess the class. Classes often level up without students being aware of the shift. Watch this video to see…
When making a study plan do not use the word “study” or “studying” because these words are so general. It is very easy to stick “study Spanish” into our planners. But what will we actually do to learn Spanish better? Watch the video to learn how using descriptive words can help you study faster with less stress. Like 0
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…
Getting Things Done for Teens is the newest GTD book by David Allen, Mike Williams, and Mark Wallace. The book’s message is essential: teens need a strategy to address their complex world. The book is intended to help teens and tweens avoid many of the common pitfalls that happen when we enter adulthood without tangible organizational skills. While there are many positives parts of this book, it, unfortunately, falls into the trap of trying to adjust an adult level organization system…
As I work with students, I have noticed that the use of planners has started to become less frequent. When I was young planners were the go-to organization tool for students. I think that the shift away from paper planners is a result of more assignments being put online. Online systems are a great way for students to track their homework, but they have limitations. There is a strategic advantage to using a planner in conjunction with online systems. Planners…
We are in the middle of understanding how to use technology effectively in education. Integrating technology into teaching is a complex negotiation process because there are so many moving parts and individual needs that must be taken into consideration. Many adults assume that students can navigate all types of technology and platforms with ease. While younger generations may be more comfortable with devices, they do not know how to translate them into effective study strategies. Often developmental milestones and limits to…
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…
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…
The unique organizational needs of students often go unnoticed. The underlying complexity can go undetected because the school day provides a consistent structure. From the outside, a typical weekly student schedule often looks very standard with only a small amount of variation. However, on closer inspection, our modern school structure is very intricate and require a considerable amount of navigation and customization. For all intents and purposes, students have a collection of bosses; one for each class. They must learn how…
Do you ever feel like you have so much homework? Do you ever wonder how you will get it all done? Do you ever wonder why you feel so stressed out about how you will get all of your stuff done and keep your stress in check? There are a lot of things that cause stress for students. Often the stress is drastically increased because we do not teach organizational skills. I think of organizational skills and homework like a train.…
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…
Sometimes it is hard to crack how to get better grades in college. Because there are so few graded assignments in college it can be hard to adjust our study strategies. To fill these gaps it is important to be more strategic. One of the great secrets of successful college students is that they take advantage of office hours. Office hours are often presented to students as an opportunity to ask specific questions and get help on assignments. However, what…