How NOT to remember vocabulary words long-term The worst way to study vocabulary words is to list out the words and definitions on a sheet of paper and study that paper. What? You do this? Of course! Most students do. But if you think this is …
6 study techniques for visual learners
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Visual learners process and remember information better when the material is presented visually as opposed to orally. Therefore, visual learners often struggle in lectures but thrive in classes that encourage engagement and provide visual stimulation. (Think PowerPoints, videos, posters, SmartBoards, etc.). …
Time management hack: The power hour
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. When we have long-term projects or open-deadline tasks, we need some serious time management skills to get our stuff done. Without a time management strategy, we tend to procrastinate until the last minute or even avoid the task altogether. So why …
Why can’t I stay organized? The 8 executive functions and how they affect students
What is executive function? Executive function is a term that refers to a set of skills that enable people to plan, initiate and complete tasks. Simply put, there are 8 key executive functions that are responsible for our ability to get things done. With …
How to stay focused while reading
For some of us, learning how to read was the easy part. The hard part is learning how to stay focused while reading. In other words, how do we stop zoning out?! Here’s a scenario you might recognize: You’re starting a new book in English class. …
How to study hard material: The top 3 tips
Knowing how to study hard material is different from knowing how to review information you’re already familiar with. When the content we’re learning is new and complex, we have to use techniques that work with this type of information. Below, I list the 3 …
How to improve your handwriting: 6 tips for better penmanship
Despite the fact that computers are taking over the world (sort of) and most students use a word processor to type up essays and notes, there’s still a need for good old pen and paper. But with so much time spent typing, many of my …
How to study in a group: Tips for group study sessions
Even the most independent students can benefit from a group study session. I am the absolute definition of a lone-learner, but even I — a classic solo-student — can recognize the benefits of group studying for certain occasions. And if you’ve tried group studying before …
How to study with flashcards: The 3-pile method
By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed. Flashcards are probably one of the most commonly used study tools. Whether you use paper index cards or a digital version like Quizlet, flashcards are an excellent way to not only study new material but to learn it. But knowing how …
What do to with old papers from school, Part 1: Toss or keep?
This is Part 1 of a 2-Part series about organizing school papers. When you’re done reading this post, check out Part 2, which is all about the Limbo Folder. Students accumulate a ton of papers over the year, from worksheets to quizzes, from essays to …