By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Knowing how to write a summary of a text is one of the most important skills for school and work. It’s even important outside of school, like in everyday conversations with people (Hey, what was that movie about? How’s that book …
10 lists every student should have
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. While the human brain is unfathomably amazing, it’s not meant to store large amounts of unconnected information. That’s why we have lists. Lists externally store non-urgent data for future reference. Using lists can reduce stress, increase the accessibility of information, help …
Tips for open-book exams
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Open-book exams have a complicated reputation, as there are pros and cons to this type of test: Pro: You have to memorize less information. Con: Open-book exams offer a false sense of security, fooling you into thinking the answers will just …
6 common annotation mistakes you’re likely making
Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Below, I share 6 common annotation mistakes I see students make all the time when reading and marking up text. Check to see if you’re making any of these mistakes, and then follow the solutions I give for up-leveling your annotation game. …
7 note organization ideas
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. I’ve covered note-taking strategies more than any other topic on my blog and YouTube tutorials. That’s because taking notes is a pillar of learning, no matter your situation. Taking notes is also super important for professionals to master – so whether …
How to make and use a cheat sheet to learn information faster
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. If you’re a student of any age, you should know how to make and use cheat sheets. Cheat sheets are an incredible way to organize and learn information faster, whether you’re a middle schooler, graduate student, or professional. If you’d prefer …
9 tips for analyzing poetry
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Have you ever read a poem, made it to the last line, only to realize that you have absolutely no idea what it’s about? Cool. Keep reading. Students begin to analyze poetry in elementary school, and often have to do so …
How to annotate text using the Highlight and Rewrite strategy
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Knowing how to annotate text is basically a super power. It’s a skill you’ll need for your entire academic experience, no matter what class you’re in or what your major is. For this annotation strategy, you’ll just need the basics: a …
A strategy for how to understand what you read: Remote learning edition
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Reading is one thing. Understanding it is another. No joke though. We’ve all read a whole page before without understanding one word on it. Am I right? I’m right. If you’re taking an online course or doing remote learning, understanding what …
How to take notes with ADHD – or if you’re just easily distracted
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Note-taking is a skill. The more you do it, the better you get. Even the most focused students get confused about note-taking. But throw ADHD or just general distractibility into the mix, and taking notes during class can seem impossible. The …