By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Have you ever studied something to the point that you really think you know it, but then the next day you forget it all? Like, everything? Yeah. Me too. It used to happen a lot: I would study all night and feel …
How to prevent test anxiety: 7 ways to handle the nerves
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Test anxiety is completely normal. Everyone at some point feels nervous before an assessment. After all, it’s no fun to be measured. Some test anxiety is natural and beneficial because anxiety produces adrenaline, a hormone partially responsible for increased mental and …
How to write a thesis statement 101: Everything you wish you knew
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. You can’t write an essay if you don’t know how to write a thesis statement. Persuasive and analytical essays. The only writing assignments that don’t require thesis statements are poems, diary entries and summaries. What is a thesis statement? A thesis …
5 best school habits of smart students
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. What’s the difference between an A+ student, a C student and an F (oh dear!) student? The obvious answer is that students with higher grades score better on homework and exams than do students pulling off Cs and lower. But have …
How to study anything: 10 steps
Whether you’re studying for a simple Spanish vocab quiz, or an end-of-the-year AP US History exam, you need a solid study plan. Below, I outline 10 steps that can teach you how to study anything. They’ve worked for me, and they’ve worked for so many of …
How to make a study guide
Study guides and schedules rock. If you’re lucky enough, you might already know how to make a study guide and this video/blog will just help you refine what you already know. If you’re incredibly lucky enough, your teacher might provide you with one before a …
How to take notes in a lecture class: 5 strategies
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. If you are a student of any age, you need to know how to take notes in a lecture class. This is an essential skill. The strategies below should help you refine your note-taking habits so you’ll nail that open-notebook test, …
How to find time to get your homework done
High school can be one of the busiest times of your entire education. You’re not only juggling classes, but also everything else that comes along with the age: sports and other extracurriculars, social activities, standardized tests, college searches, etc. And it’s not as if you …
How to use the Pomodoro Technique for school: Time management hack
Before I get into how to use the Pomodoro Technique for homework (best time-management hack EVER), here’s a little background info: True story: I sometimes still have nightmares about forgetting my Spanish homework, being unprepared for a math test, and forgetting my locker combination. I graduated …