By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. There are many reasons why a class might feel boring. You could have a low-energy teacher, it could be a topic you don’t find relevant, or you may be in the wrong level course for your ability. Regardless of the reason, …
What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed with Late Assignments
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Whether you miss class because you’re sick, have an excused absence, or just choose to sleep in, missing school almost always results in missing assignments. And missing assignments lead to late assignments. Something else that causes late assignments? Not doing them …
3 (Bad) Study Methods That Are a Total Waste of Time
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. With some rare exceptions, the primary reason for bad test grades is that you didn’t know the material well enough. Before you shut me down, please hear me out. I know the test was hard. I know the teacher is mean. …
3 Ways to Simplify Your Study Routine and Avoid Exam Cramming
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. At some point or another, all students will find themselves cramming for a test. Whether it’s bad time management or simply more tasks than time, these things sometimes just happen. But that’s not the goal. The goal is to do better. …
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 …
4 Writing Tips for Students Who Get Stuck
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Writing essays or long open-response questions is one of the hardest parts of school for many students. The reason writing assignments are challenging is that so many other skills besides writing are required for the task. Think about it: Writing 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 …
4 Common Study Myths That Are Ruining Your Grades
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Part of my job as a study skills expert and executive functioning coach is to stay current on the research around learning. Once in a while, I come across bogus study advice that is not only funny, but that does more …
Annotating vs. Note-Taking: Differences, Tips, and When to Use Each
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Annotating and note-taking are both school skills (and work skills!) that allow you to get more from the text you’re reading. But like with any skill, you need to know how and when to use it. In this blog post, I …
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 …