Exams can be stressful for any student, no matter their level. Taking a big picture view of test preparation by organizing your study approach throughout the year (not just during exam week) can make a big difference. This article provides tips for parents, teachers, and students to help make school go a bit smoother. I've written the tips as if talking directly to the student, but know that you can adapt these to help your kids or pupils.

Creating an organized approach to studying means dedicating both space and time. Create a good study space at home (see here) where you feel comfortable and focused. That means far away from distractions. Hang a whiteboard or calendar so that you can post a schedule for studying. For example, if you are going to study right after school, or after dinner, write that down on a weekly calendar. You can also write down what you're going to study, such as reviewing notes from classes that day. You'll also want to have a calendar where you can mark down assignment due dates and test dates.

There are many different ways to learn, and many of us don't learn best by reading textbooks and taking notes. Try to pinpoint what part of the learning process you're struggling with, and then make a plan. Reading assigned chapters BEFORE you go to class means you've already seen the material that will be presented to you orally. Instead of hearing that information for the first time, you'll be able to synthesize the presentation with what you read prior. Take notes or record the lecture, and review it later that day while it's still fresh. When you're preparing for exams, think about how your teacher has quizzed or tested you in the past. What sort of questions do they posit during class? Create flashcards with quiz questions or read through your notes out loud rather than just copying and highlighting your notes all over again. You can even create your own worksheets to learn more.

It's never a bad idea to reach out to a teacher or counselor and let them know you'd like some help. It's even better if you're proactive about it. The teacher may offer office hours or tutoring outside of school hours that can help with tough topics. If the teacher doesn't offer tutoring, you can look online to connect with one individually. One of the benefits of working with a good tutor is the one-on-one time and the dedication to help you learn the information in a way that makes sense to you.

If you have test anxiety, there are ways you can 'practice' taking the test to help. Test anxiety can manifest as "blanking out" on test day. Try to simulate the testing environment at home - create an answer sheet and practice exam (ask your teacher for one), and "take" the test just like you would at school. If the test is on the computer, or is an essay test, then mimic that environment. Practice breathing exercises to help calm you down.

How does virtual learning compare to going to school at a brick-and-mortar location? Advantages and disadvantages certainly differ depending on level. In 2020, schools of all levels closed, and for the first time, large portions of our younger population were schooling at home, from preschoolers to college students.

While many parents have chosen to homeschool, with school closures many parents now working full-time from home were faced with the challenges of teaching their kids at home (with no prior experience in education), or managing their online learning schedule. The lack of socialization for young students meant a key part of their behavioral learning was lost. Middle and high school students likely adapted better to the switch to virtual learning than younger students, but they no longer had club or sport activities. 

As we launch headfirst into a new semester, take advantage of the slow first week of classes to make a strategic plan for this term. Think about how you studied for your exams last semester - what worked, what didn't? 

​Today I share 3 tips to consider when revamping your study strategy.

College is a unique life experience - independence from family members and high school teachers comes with new responsibility over your time and self-care. 

Peer pressure to socialize at the expense of your school work can lead to you falling behind, or the abrupt change in classroom style may lead you to struggle with your material. Being away from home can be lonely, and the added stress of school can make you shy away from meeting new people.

Some quick tips? Pay attention at orientation to what resources your school has available for you, from tutoring to counseling, to interest groups to help meet new friends. Tutoring can help you learn how you learn, overcoming difficulties in new coursework, while counseling can help you identify negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. You can also learn positive self-care coping strategies. Finally, develop your time management skills by utilizing assignment and quiz dates to stay up on your materials, blocking your time around classes to be efficient while on campus. 

​Read on for more tips.

Last week I talked about whether online courses are the right choice for you and I've written before about how to balance work and hobbies, and even how to leverage your hobbies.

Whether you're a naturally curious individual, always eager to learn something new in your downtime, or whether you want to bring more meaning to your life by learning something new, it's never too late to start. 

Whether you're looking for a new career, want to learn a new skill for fun, or want to increase your value at work, online courses (also called online training) are one way to achieve that.

Some examples of what completing online courses could achieve for you? Not only is there a variety of courses offered online, from animal care courses distance learning to foundation healthcare courses to basic data science and programming, no matter what you're looking for, you can find it through online course websites or online schools.

Before you jump in, decide if online courses are the right choice for you. 

If you're fed up with your current job or just looking for something different, know that there are many ways to make a career change. Don't get overwhelmed by the idea of more training - it's easier than ever to learn skills that you need from home, by accessing courses online! You can travel, earn money, and train for the career that you want.

​Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

Are you looking for an online tutor?
 
The Internet is a great resource to find a variety of services, and education is no different. Whether you’re looking to hire a tutor for your child or for yourself, there are a variety of options. Personally, I had a math tutor in middle school that helped me catch up, an SAT tutor in high school, and chemistry tutors in college. A straight-A student, no one would have ever guessed – but it’s important to ask for help when you need it. Since college I’ve given back, tutoring high school students in a variety of subjects and general life skills, as well as teaching nutrition students how to study for the RD exam.
 
So why hire a tutor? Why not just hit the books a little harder? Tutors provide one-on-one support – the tutor can adapt their teaching style to your learning needs. Teaching in a classroom is efficient because one teacher supports many students, but is not always as effective as one-on-one help. You can take extra time to focus on certain topics that get glossed over in a lecture, and do more practice on your weak spots. 

Working from home is on the rise, according to the 2017 US Census.  From increased work-life flexibility and employee productivity to decreased real estate costs and overhead, remote work (or "telecommuting") offers benefits for both employee and employer. 

Whether you're a grad student like me, self-employed working out of a home office, or telecommuting part-time, you've encountered the benefits and the challenges of working home. Challenges like distractions. 

In this post we'll talk about several distractions you may be all too familiar with, and how to help nip them in the bud. 

Find 2020 statistics on remote working

15 Trends for Remote Working in 2021

Cumulative final exams, licensing exams, masters comprehensive exams, doctoral qualifying exams - all are BIG! And effective study strategies focus on consolidating large amounts of information into tenable concepts that can be applied to whatever question thrown at you. Instead of getting bogged down in the details, painting the big picture is where you want to start. ​

Materials in this photo: Arc Discbound Notebook (Letter Size, Poly Cover)  |   Office by Martha Stewart Discbound Dividers (5-tab, also available in 8-tab)      |  Planner by Blue Sky, no longer available   |   ​ Printable Graph Paper

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In this post, I'll walk you through some strategies that will help you make this process as painless as it could be. Be forewarned, these are not your typical lecture-quiz-exam study methods, so they'll feel foreign and uncomfortable. But practice makes perfect, and after about a week long learning curve you'll look forward to study sessions and feel efficient and knowledgeable.