Strategic Advantage – DIY Homework

The Secret to Success: Tools, Teams, and Routines

February 4, 2019

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,…

Filling Gaps: Overcoming a Poorly Taught Class

January 30, 2019

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Gaps, Getting Unstuck, Group Studying, Independent Learning, self-advocacy, Self-Care, Strategic Advantage, Study Groups, Study Skills, Studying, Teachers, Tests

Teaching is a very challenging profession, but we need to realize that some classes do not work for some students. The cause of these gaps can be stylistic, lack of access to resources, unclear lectures, or a combination of many interconnected issues. The solution is to figure out how to learn the material in the class independently. This is often hard for students because of the expectation in middle and high school is that learning will be directed by an…

Filling Gaps: Learning Levels

January 21, 2019

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Gaps, Getting Unstuck, Learning Levels, Strategic Advantage

Sometimes students miss points on an exam because they do not understand what level of learning the teacher is expecting. Often students assume that teachers want a regurgitation of facts when they actually want a higher level of thinking. This video explains how understanding the correct level of learning can students study with less stress. Like 0

Learning Cycle: Making the Basket Smaller

January 2, 2019

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Learning Cycle, Quizzable, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying, Tests

Many students are reluctant to quiz themselves because it feels daunting. In this video, I help students see how practicing getting things out of the brains can help them study faster by reducing the number of things in their basket. This can help students go through the Learning Cycle easier and faster. Like 0

Learning Levels and Test Prep

December 19, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Learning Cycle, Learning Levels, Strategic Advantage, Studying, Tests

Check out the learning levels introduction video before watching this video. Understanding learning levels can help us prepare for exams. Because we do not teach study skills most students assume that most tests about remembering facts. While students do need to know basic facts their tests are often asking them to master the material at a higher level. Watch the video to see how understanding learning levels can help increase your tests scores. Like 0

Learning Levels: An Introduction

December 17, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Balance, Learning Cycle, Learning Levels, Productivity, Strategic Advantage

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…

Avoid the Word “Study”

November 28, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Learning Cycle, Planners, Productivity, Retrieval Practice, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying

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

Increasing Your Test Scores: Finding Material Gaps

November 12, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Finals Prep, Gaps, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying, Systems

Do you ever feel like you are studying for tests and doing all of your homework but not getting the scores that you want? This is an incredibly frustrating situation and often the advice is to “study harder” or to “study longer” but these approaches do not always work. Watch the video below to explore why some classes are harder to study for and what you can do about it. Like 0

Homework Help: Math and Science

November 7, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Homework, self-advocacy, Strategic Advantage, Study Groups, Study Skills, Studying, Teams, Technology

Do you ever get stuck on a math or science problem? Do you want to get it done quickly and accurately? In these situations, it can be so frustrating to know how to get help. One of the best resources I have found is Harvey Mudd College’s Free Homework Hotline. This hotline is free and helps students in 4th -12th grades. Watch the video to find out how the homework hotlines can help you get your work done faster with less…

Study Strategies: Power of Self-Testing

October 29, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Anxiety, Learning Cycle, Quizzable, Retrieval Practice, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying, Tests

Do you ever study for a test and you do not score well? We often focus on how to get information into our brains, rarely talk about how getting information out of our brains. Getting information out of our brains is important because what tests measure is how well we can get information out of our brains. This gap is puzzling because we have over 200 years or research that demonstrates the positive impact of self-testing. This study method can…

Make it Stick: Chapter 3

September 26, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Learning Cycle, Quizzable, Retrieval Practice, Review, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying

Reflection Often learning feels so dry that students stop thinking about their learning as soon as they leave a class. But studies have shown that being able to reflect on and process the information they get each day and connect all the ideas that they are learning. The best way I have found to help students do this is to use a Graphic Organizer. Cramming is Not the Answer We have these firm beliefs that studying with the single-minded focus…

Analyzing Papers, Projects, and Tests

September 17, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Goals, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Systems, Tests

When students get an assessment back it is very common for parents and teachers to help them analyze their work. This process can help students critically examine their work, effort, and approach. I explain how we can modify this process and help students become more self-reflective and open to critical feedback. When students can pinpoint what went well they can start to build mental models and study habits around their success. Many students have never been asked to reflect on what…

Graphic Organizers

September 10, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Active Learning, Note Taking, Organization, Retrieval Practice, Strategic Advantage, Study Skills, Studying, Writing

Do you feel stressed when your teacher announces a test? Do you have a hard time figuring out how to use your worksheets, textbooks, online activities, and class notes? Graphic Organizers are a great way for students to organize all of the information they get from each class. This general format students can use to help them organize their materials in any class or subject. Graphic Organizers help students take materials that are given or assigned to them and allow…

Take Advantage of Office Hours

February 27, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Habits, Productivity, Strategic Advantage, Study Groups, Study Skills, Studying, Teams

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…