By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Most colleges and universities have an extended winter break between the first and second semesters. While this winter break is a much-needed reprieve from your college classes, you can use this time to get involved in activities that build your skills, …
College Advice No One Tells You (But You Need to Know)
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. College is a lot different than high school. If you’re already in college, you know this. If you’re currently in high school, trust me when I tell you college is nothing like your high school experience. Not only are classes more …
How to Prepare and Prime Before Class (In Just 10 Minutes) Like Top Students
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. College and graduate students often have breaks between classes, unlike the back-to-back schedule typical in high school. While many students slide into their seats with 11 seconds to spare, top students operate differently — and with a little less chaos. By …
Five Ways to Use Your Weekly No-Class Day Wisely in College
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. One of the biggest challenges students face when transitioning from high school to college is adjusting to differences in their weekly class schedule. Most high school students are accustomed to attending class for seven straight hours a day, five days a …
9 Ways to Keep Your Back-to-School Motivation Alive All Semester
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. You’ve got to admit that the back-to-school season has a vibe to it. It’s kind of like New Year’s Eve, minus the confetti. For many students, September means crisp notebooks, new pens — and the motivation to do this year better …
What College Students Need for Dorms: 11 Essentials to Make Learning Easier in College
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. What college students need for dorms varies a lot and depends on a student’s preference, living situation, and personal needs. However, there are a few nonessentials I recommend all college students living on campus have in their dorm rooms to improve …
College Application Tips, Steps and Timelines for Juniors and Seniors
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. In this blog post, I share key college application tips, steps and timelines for high school juniors and seniors. While everyone’s college application process looks different and depends on a wide variety of factors, the guidance here should give you an …
Summer Activities for Students: 11 Ways to Improve Skills and Productivity
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Most students have seven summers to prepare for life after college. And as you know, these 10-week summer breaks go by quickly. Where do I get the number seven? There are three summer vacations between grades nine and 12 and four …
Are Summer Courses Worth It?
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Are summer courses worth it? I’m asked this question a lot by college students and graduate students, and the answer depends on many factors including goals, money and time. For most college and graduate-level students, taking summer courses has far more …