I talk (and write) all the time about different study skills and the importance of using study methods that a) match you as a learner, and b) match the material you’re studying. But this post isn’t about  how to use those study techniques. Instead, it’s …
The study hack that top students know
I love hacks. Who doesn’t!? As a student myself, I especially love study hacks, and as a teacher too, I especially love sharing a good study hack with others. (Obviously that’s why I started the SchoolHabits blog and YouTube channel.) In general, we should vary …
4 backpack organization tips to tame the chaos
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. We treat our backpacks like garbage disposals: we throw everything in there from granola bar wrappers to dried-out pens, old papers to dead calculator batteries. I’ve even seen things as odd as a bungee cord and a camping canteen. (Yes, the …
How to organize old school papers Part 2: Use a Limbo Folder
I wrote a blog post about how to organize old school papers a while ago (read that post – Part 1 – before this one!), but I’m still asked this question all the time. While the minimalist in me is internally shouting “Throw them all …
What to do when you zone out in class: 4 emergency strategies
I am a super-focused person. I know what I want, I figure out how to get it, and then I take care of business. While I call it “focus” because I want to be nice to myself, those who know me well might choose …
When to take notes in class: 7 clues you should be writing it down
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. One of the most common questions I get from students is “How do I know when to take notes in class?” I get it. Note-taking can seem hard and mysterious and complicated — especially if we’ve never been taught how or …
How to remember a book you read: Quick study hack for NOT forgetting it all
I have a confession. Sometimes I read something — either a single page in a book, an article online, or even a whole chapter — and I realize afterwards that I have no idea what I just read. I hate when this happens. I teach …
How to create a study space for kinesthetic learners: 6 tips for remote learning
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. This is Part 3 of a 3-part series about creating a work or study space according to your learning style. Part 1 was about designing an optimal working environment for visual learners and Part 2 was about creating a study space …
How to create a remote learning study space for auditory learners
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. This is part 2 of a 3-part series about creating a work space or remote learning study space according to your learning style. Part 1 was about designing an optimal working environment for visual learners, while this post focuses on how …
How to ask for help in school: 4 tips for getting what you need
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. We all need help in school at some point. Some of us need help understanding the material, others need help studying, and others might need help staying organized. We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses. The important …










