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Simple Organization Life Hacks for Students

Some students find themselves struggling with a lack of organization skills, which can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience. But there’s hope! Organization, like any skill, can be learned.

I used to be very disorganized with a chaotic room, a messy backpack, and a generally disorganized academic life. And my grades and wellbeing suffered because of it. So I began learning organizational skills with the help of a tutor and other mentors. After learning the appropriate organization skills, I continued working on them until they became second nature. In doing so, I saw huge changes in my life: I graduated from college magna cum laude, and now I’m a PhD student and I run my own business.

Whether you are a parent or a student reading this, remember to try working on one or two of the skills listed below at a time. When you’re comfortable with those skills, try integrating more tips into your toolkit. When attempting to instill good organizational habits, it is imperative for the adults at home to exemplify positive role modeling and to remain patient and encouraging.

Create a Schedule

Having an organized schedule allows you to see a physical representation of managing time. Carve out blocks of time in your schedule for completing tasks and make a point to follow that schedule. Most students find it helpful to even block out time for homework and studying so that no other obligations can get in the way of their academics. There are plenty of schedule makers online and in the App store. Go with one that works best for you! I personally use Calendars 5 as I like how it visually displays my schedule.

Create a To-Do List with Priority Indicators

To-do lists are one of my all-time favorite organization tools. Making a to-do list is an effective way to see all your priorities in one place. And ranking them in order of importance gives you insight into which tasks should be completed first. I usually put little things (things that take 20 minutes or less) on to-do lists while longer activities will go directly on my schedule. If I notice that I’ve been putting off completing to-dos, then I will carve out blocks of time on my schedule for scratching those items of the to-do list.

Set Goals at the Beginning of the Week

Planning out your week in advance is an easy and effective way to stay on top of your schedule and goals for the week. Setting goals on the weekend allows you to plan accordingly to accomplish your goals during the week and to navigate any variations in your regular schedule. For example, if you know you need to finish an essay this week and it’ll take a few hours, make sure to carve out that extra time in your schedule ahead of time so that you’re sure to complete it.

Clean Your Study Space, Backpack, and Binder

Most students find it difficult to stay mentally organized when their room, backpack, and binder are chaotic. An organized physical environment makes it easier to organize your mind. And an organized mind means having more energy for completing your academic work!

Use Color Coding and Labeling

Color code your classes and label binders, notebooks, journals, and folders. For example, use a red binder for math class and a green binder for English class, and label folders within each binder for homework, notes, important handouts, etc. Stay consistent, too. If you need a notebook for each class, then use a red notebook for math and a green notebook for English.

Pack Up Everything the Night Before

I used to scramble in the morning getting everything together, and I always ended up leaving something behind. Preparing your backpack, binders, and lunchbox the night before gives you more time to think of everything you’ll need for the next day, and you’ll be less likely to forget bringing something important to school. Packing up the night before allows you to have a peaceful morning dedicated to waking up and preparing for the day, too.

Do It Before You Forget It

If an unfinished priority suddenly comes to mind, it can be tempting to say “I’ll remember to do it later.” But with all the demands we have in our lives, it’s easy to forget! If you have the time and energy to do it, then do it as soon as the thought comes to consciousness! If you don’t have the time or energy in the moment, then write it down on your to-do list, schedule, or a reminder journal or app.

All these skills can seem impossible to learn – trust, me I know the feeling. If you have the motivation and you put in the time and energy, then you can do it! And if you find yourself struggling, rest assured knowing that you have resources at your disposal. The internet is full of executive functioning resources; read some of our other resource posts to work on your executive skills. Hodis Learning & Music also has expert tutors on staff who have years of experience helping students learn how to become more organized and better managers of their time.

Academic Tutoring, Study Skills

SQ3R – An All-in-One Reading Comprehension/Study System

SQRRR or SQ3R is an all-in-one reading comprehension/study skills system that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Many students fall into the trap of passively scanning their texts, which research has proven pitifully ineffective. SQ3R helps students actively read while also giving them a framework in which to study.

Survey

Read the introduction/summary.
If there is no intro or summary for your reading, read the first and last paragraph of the reading.
Notice each heading and subheading.
Notice reading aids, graphics, and figures.

Question

Turn each heading and subheading into as many questions as you think will be answerable in that section. I usually recommend that students write these questions down. If one of your headings is “Dividing Berlin into East and West,” your questions might look like, “why was Berlin divided into two parts?”, “who controlled the two sections?”, and “how was the city divided?”

Read

Read only the heading or subheading for which you have formulated a question. Keep your questions in mind and try to find the answers while reading.

Recite

Answer the questions you created either by writing the answers or by saying them out loud. I typically suggest that students try both, or at least just write the answer so that they can study from it later.

If you find that you don’t remember enough of the reading to answer the question, go back to the reading and try again. Don’t move on to the next section until you can successfully answer the question.

Review

Once you have finished reading your text, go through all of your questions and answer them. If you can’t answer a particular question, go back to the reading to find it and try again. Once you can answer all the questions, move on.

If you have a written record of questions and answers, then you can study from these notes at a later time to really get the material into your long term memory.

If you find that you’re still having trouble with reading comprehension, there are other resources available to help. Hodis Learning & Music has expert English and Language Arts tutors who are experienced in helping students improve their reading comprehension skills. Our tutors can tailor a reading comprehension plan to your specific needs to help you or your student flourish in their understanding of the material. Contact us today to reserve your spot!

Tips for Staying Focused During Class

Staying focused during an hour-long class period can be challenging. It always has been. Here are some tips for ensuring you...

We get it, staying focused during an hour-long class period can be challenging. It always has been, and the constant interruptions from technology certainly don’t help. Here are some tips for staying focused during class time.

Take Notes

Note-taking forces you to engage in class. Gathering information, summarizing it, and writing it down all help you to better retain the lesson and remember facts later on. Consider using these effective note-taking skills.

Find Opportunities to Move (Without Disrupting Class)

Give yourself opportunities to move your body in non-disruptive ways. Take a bathroom break when you feel tired or restless. You can also try seated stretches, like rolling your shoulders, stretching your neck from side to side, and extending your legs and pointing and flexing your toes. But again, be very mindful of your surroundings and try not to do anything that will disrupt or distract others.

Actively Participate in Class

Just like when you take notes in class, actively participating in class forces you to engage with the lesson and think critically about what you are learning. This will also be helpful for your retention of the information.

Think of Questions

As your teacher is lecturing, think of questions related to the lesson. Write down your questions as you go and see if your question is answered, or raise your hand and ask your teacher (then you can also incorporate this tip with active participation.)

Reduce Distractions

If you are allowed to have a phone or computer in class, set your devices to “do not disturb” for the duration of class. Multitasking disrupts your learning and only makes it harder for you to get back to focus mode.

Other things that can help you stay focused in class are:

Getting enough sleep
Staying hydrated
Eating well

Make sure you set yourself up for success by maintaining healthy habits outside of the classroom, as often these can have a large impact on your success in school.

Academic Tutoring

The Do’s & Don’ts of Finding Research Paper Sources

The foundation of any good research paper is made up of high-quality, primary sources. This resource post serves as a quick guide for finding good sources and avoiding the bad ones.

DO make sure you know how many and what kinds of sources you need for your assignment. Can all your sources be from online, or do you need sources from academic journals and books as well? Meeting the minimum source requirements is an easy way to get points on your paper.

DO use reputable sources when you’re searching online. A tip for ensuring that you find good online sources is by using URL links that end in .gov or .edu.

DO take advantage of academic journal databases. You can usually get free access to paid articles in databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, OVID, or Google Scholar with a student email address.

DO rely on your local or school library. Librarians can be helpful in your source search as they are familiar with the library contents and can direct you on where to find relevant books. Many can also offer guidance with online database or archive searches. Libraries may also have scholarly journals that you can borrow for your research.

DON’T simply use Wikipedia summaries. You will likely need to have primary sources to support your research claims. Primary sources are first-hand accounts of an event or topic. Wikipedia articles are not first-hand accounts and can be changed by anyone, so you don’t want to rely on potentially false information. Wikipedia can be a starting point for gaining a basic understanding of a topic, but follow the citations at the bottom of the page to find where the information is coming from.

DON’T use the first source you find. Keep a list of each source you find, and make sure any piece of information you plan to use is verified by a high-quality, reputable, primary source. It’s better to have multiple sources to reference, than to have too few.

DON’T just copy and paste your source URLs at the end of your paper. Make sure you understand the formatting requirements for your paper as that will likely be part of the grading criteria on your assignment. Use sources like Purdue Online Writing Lab to learn about writing styles and proper citations. You can also find online citation builders like EasyBib that can help you organize your sources properly.

Additionally, Hodis Learning & Music has expert writing tutors who can help you throughout the process of writing your research paper. If you think you might need more assistance in planning and writing a paper, contact Hodis Learning & Music here to get started with a tutor today.

Academic Tutoring

How to Prepare for Public Speaking

Many people experience fear and anxiety when they are faced with public speaking. Whether you have a class presentation or you are preparing a speech for student body elections, the tips below will help you prepare for public speaking in any scenario.

Get Familiar With Your Material

The first thing to do when you are preparing for public speaking is gain a thorough understanding of the material you’ll be presenting. Do your research, make notes, find multiple high-quality sources. You will feel more prepared and confident about speaking when you are knowledgeable about the topic.

Know the Parameters of Your Presentation

If you’re working on a presentation for class, make sure you understand the assignment requirements. Oftentimes, the presentation parameters will be part of your grade. Some things to make sure you know:

Is there a minimum time requirement you must speak for?
Are you supposed to create a slideshow to accompany your presentation?
Are you allowed to use props to help you while presenting? (i.e. notecards or an outline)
Will there be a question and answer section following your presentation?

Create an Outline of Important Talking Points

Almost like you would when starting an essay, create an outline of what you will talk about. For example, if your presentation is about a historical figure like Abraham Lincoln, you might want to start with a brief biography. Describe where and when he grew up, how he became president, then his notable accomplishments as president.

Rehearse What You Are Going to Say

Rehearsal is essential to presenting well. Create a script if you must. Practice your presentation aloud by yourself and in front of other people, like family members, friends, or a roommate. They can offer feedback and tell you if they notice areas for improvement. Rehearsal will also help you find out if your presentation is too long or too short.

Speak Slowly, Clearly, and Pause

When people are nervous, they have a tendency to speak quickly, so practice speaking slower, even if it feels a bit unnatural. Make sure you enunciate and project your voice. You don’t want to be yelling, but you also don’t want to mumble. Being mindful of slowing down and projecting can help you so that you don’t automatically speed through your presentation. Take moments for natural pauses within your presentation, like between slides. This will help with your pacing and allow you moments to breathe, which can help ease anxiety.

Schedule a session with one of our expert tutors to help brainstorm and rehearse your speech!

Academic Tutoring

Poor Grades on a Progress Report? Consider Your Options

Low grades can be disheartening when students and parents get their hands on a progress report. But it isn’t the end of the world; in fact, there are many options available to parents and students to improve poor grades. However, parents must be mindful that interventions need to be implemented immediately, which requires prompt assessment of the situation. The longer a student goes without support, the worse their performance will be.

Begin with Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses

Where is your student excelling? This is an important question. If you know what is going well, then you can dedicate more energy to the areas that need improvement. And, it’s important to celebrate the small victories. You want to make sure your student knows their successes will be noticed and acknowledged. .

Next assess the areas needing improvement. And keep in mind that reading the grade report won’t be enough. Say your student received a 20% (out of 100%) in their algebra homework grade. Did they fail to turn in their assignments? Did they do poorly on their assignments? Was it a combination? And more importantly – why was this the case? Ask your student in a calm and understanding way that doesn’t make them feel like they are “less than.”

Meet with Teachers

Your student’s teachers are great resources for understanding your student’s needs. Ask them where your student is struggling and how you can best support the student.

Be a Pillar of Support and Encouragement

It’s likely that your student does not truly want to receive poor grades. Sometimes, students just need a little more support, care, and encouragement to feel safe and confident in their abilities in order to work harder.

Visit a Psychologist, Doctor, or Pediatrician

If your student’s teachers have reported specific learning difficulties or if you have noticed them yourself, there may be more to your student’s low performance than you initially thought. A psychologist, doctor, or pediatrician can assess your student to determine if a learning disability may be present. If the professional suspects a learning disability, they can help your student take the next steps to getting extra support at school.

Help Your Student With Homework, If Possible

If your student is having trouble understanding the material, you feel confident helping your student understand the material, and your student feels comfortable receiving your help, then this can be a great learning and bonding experience! Or, if your student’s sibling or friend is able to help, then that may be a good option, too.

Try Free Online Resources

There are thousands of free online resources that your student can use to better understand their material. These resources are great options for families on a budget.

Try Different Learning Methods

Every student is unique and has different learning preferences. Help your student explore different methods of learning. Try including visual, tactile, and auditory learning methods. For example, watch a video on how to plot points on a graph, have your student build a pie chart with different colors of clay that represent fractions, or help them come up with a rhyme to remember how to solve the quadratic formula.

Develop a Schedule that Involves Studying and Fun Activities

If your student is having trouble with organizational and time-management skills, sit down with them and help them create a study schedule. Help them block out times for homework and studying. And study efficiently to maximize energy spent on schoolwork. On the same schedule, make sure to block out times for friends, fun activities, and rest. Having a structured and balanced schedule will help your student feel less stressed and more inclined to complete their studies.

Help them create a to-do list and due date list. Many schools offer binder reminders for free or for a minimal fee. Or help your student create their schedule on their phone’s calendar.

Create an Organized Environment and Process

Many students struggle with keeping an organized study space, binder, and backpack. If your student’s study environment is organized, they may be able to organize their inner workings a little more effectively. And, if their backpack and binders are organized and systematized, your student will be able to easily locate and turn in their assignments. Read more of our organization tips.

Hire an Expert Tutor

If you’ve exhausted all other resources and your student is still struggling, it may be time to hire a tutor. Hodis Learning & Music has a team of exceptional tutors with years of experience helping students from all backgrounds and skill levels. Contact us today to learn more!

Why Multitasking is Ineffective

Multitasking may seem like the ultimate super power, but in reality it slows you down, makes you less productive, and negatively impacts your ability to focus.

You’re Actually Not Multitasking

When you’re switching back and forth between reading articles, watching videos while working, or texting while talking to someone, you’re not actually multitasking. According to neuropsychologist Cynthia Kubu, PhD, we’re not doing multiple things at once in those instances. In reality, we’re doing one individual task and then quickly switching to another one, and then back again. This phenomenon is called, more appropriately, task-switching.

Multitasking Makes You Slower & Less Efficient

Each time you stop one activity and switch to another, no matter how quickly, that process is taking time and that time adds up. You’re completing each activity much slower than you would if you were focusing all your attention on one thing at a time. Additionally, you’re more likely to make mistakes.

Task-Switching Also Affects Your Ability to Focus

Task-switching makes it more challenging for you to give your full attention to one thing at a time. Some studies have even shown that people who frequently multitask are less able to focus when they’re only performing one task at a time. This, in turn, affects your ability to learn. Learning requires focus and the ability to tune out distractions and engage in deeper processing and critical thinking, says Dr. Kubu.

It Affects Your Performance in School

One research study indicated that college students who tried to multitask took longer to complete their homework and had lower grades, on average. The study specifically noted this trend with students who engaged in media multitasking (texting, watching videos, using social media) while in class, studying, or completing homework.

Check out our article on strategies for tackling homework if you find that you often multitask while studying. Many of the strategies in that article can be applied to any situation where you need to focus on a single task at a time. Additionally, notice when you aren’t fully engaged in one activity. This might even be if you’re scrolling online while watching a TV show. In that moment practice focusing your attention on just one thing– turn off the show or put your phone away. Over time, these moments of monotasking will help you regain your focus and ability to engage more deeply in one activity. Like building any good habit, it will take time and persistence.

Change Your Habits With an Expert Tutor

Consider hiring a dedicated tutor to help you improve your academic habits. Our team of expert tutors have years of experience helping students grow in their academic abilities and improve their grades. Call or email us to learn more or schedule a session now.

How to Prevent Academic Burnout: 9 Actionable Tips to Maintain Good Mental Health

Sometimes students find themselves working really hard in all of their classes, studying at all hours, and aiming for straight A’s and perfect test scores. But after a few months, students often find themselves feeling tired all the time, irritable, disinterested in school, and unmotivated to do anything related to classes. In fact, these situations may devolve to the point where students no longer meet important deadlines, lose confidence in their academic abilities, and fall into bad habits like overeating or nail biting. This process is called academic burnout.

It arises from devoting too much time and energy to school and neglecting other needs and desires. So how do you prevent academic burnout? It really all comes down to self-care. The following list offers actionable self-care items to prevent academic burnout or to shift out of a state of burnout.

(1.) Make Time for Activities That Bring You Joy

Taking a break from studying and doing something fun like going to the movies or taking a trip to the beach can help students reset before they get back into their studies. It is helpful to block out time in your schedule for leisure activities.

(2.) Make Time for Social Activities

Along the same lines as the first suggestion, social activities provide a mental break from studying. Hanging out with good friends not only helps students feel supported and accepted, but also relieves stress and anxiety.

(3.) Exercise Regularly

Sitting all day is not good for students’ minds or bodies. Experts recommend that people get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 90 minutes of intense aerobic exercise weekly to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and boost mental health. This may look like going on a run three times a week for 30 minutes at a time or going on a brisk walk five times a week for 30 minutes at a time.

(4.) Go Outside

Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress and boost mental health. Going on five or ten minute walks in the neighborhood during study breaks is an easy way to check this self-care activity off your list for the day.

(5.) Make Good Connections with Teachers and Peers

Feeling connected to your teacher and peers will make class feel more like a welcoming environment instead of a purely stressful one.

(6.) Set Reasonable Goals

You’re likely not going to get 100% on every single exam. Set goals that are reasonable within your time and energy constraints. Respecting your needs with reasonable goals will actually help you perform better by giving you more energy, motivation, and peace.

(7.) Work on Your Time-Management Skills

Managing time wisely is a skill that will reduce stress and create more peace throughout your entire life. Creating to-do lists and blocking out specific times for your activities in a calendar are two excellent yet simple ways to manage your time. Managing your time well will prevent procrastination.

(8.) Refine Your Study Skills

Many students who experience burnout tend to study hard, but may not be studying efficiently or effectively. Learn how to develop your study skills by reading our Building Strong Study Skills Series (see our study skills Roadmap) or by meeting with one of our expert tutors.

(9.) Ask for Help When You Need It

There’s nothing wrong with needing help. If you’re struggling with cultivating the above self-care skills, ask someone who you trust to help you. Or if you’re finding a concept or course to be challenging, ask someone who you know will be able to help and who won’t feel burdened by your request. You can always hire one of our expert tutors to guide you through any challenging course.

Self-care is an invaluable skill that will help any student succeed in academics and in all other aspects of their life. Begin utilizing these tools now to prevent yourself from burning out. And be patient with yourself – it may take time to learn these tools and successfully apply them to your life.

Strategies for Tackling Homework: Pt. 2 How Parents Can Help

Ah, homework. An inevitable, but often unenjoyable, part of school. While many students (and perhaps even parents) dread homework, it is an important part of your student’s education. Read on to learn strategies for tackling homework. If you’re a student, read this article instead.

What’s the Point of Homework, Anyways?

Homework should, ideally, reinforce concepts that students learn in class. In some cases, homework might prepare them for upcoming exams or test their knowledge in preparation for a reinforcement lesson or new, upcoming lessons.

Homework also serves as a tool for students to develop life skills. Some of these skills include managing time, following directions, completing assignments with a deadline, and applying knowledge. All of these skills will be necessary later on in their professional and personal lives.

Strategies for Helping Your Student Tackle Homework

1. Keep the above notes in mind; remember, homework is a tool to help your student learn concepts and gain valuable life skills. Gently remind them of these things when they are reluctant or resistant to working, and encourage positivity. A positive attitude even in the face of unenjoyable tasks will help with homework and beyond.

2. Provide a focused working environment for your student, when possible. Have a desk or table in a quiet room where they won’t be interrupted. If your student must do work in a communal room, encourage other family members to stay out or stay quiet. Consider even setting up quiet time for the whole family to do work for a couple of hours. If that isn’t possible, take your student to a library to focus and do work, or recommend they go on their own if they are old enough.

Keep TVs and music off, cell phones away, or remind them to turn those things off if you notice them. Limit time spent on a computer, or set up apps to limit distractions like Forest, Freedom, or RescueTime.

3. If your student routinely struggles with completing homework on time, consider a system where you can check their upcoming assignments and hold them accountable. Encourage them to use a planner, calendar, or checklist to track assignments, even if they are all available online. It’s important for your student to build new, more effective habits and keep track of all deadlines and assignments in one place. Writing things down physically is also helpful for retaining information.

4. Set a timer for your student to focus on one assignment, or encourage them to do so on their own. Depending on your student, this could be anywhere from 20-45 minutes. Make sure they are completely uninterrupted during that time. Offer to hold onto cell phones, tablets, headphones, and any other distractions during the set time frame. Have small breaks after each assignment time (about 5-10 minutes), then repeat the process for the next assignment.

5. Make sure you or your student notes the problems or questions they struggle with the most or are unable to complete. While it is important for your student to complete their homework, it doesn’t help them to guess or simply fill in answers if they don’t understand how to arrive at the solution.

Once they have noted the problems or questions they struggled with, encourage them to ask their teacher for help or clarification. If the assignment is incomplete, and the student wants help before submitting it for grading, make sure they meet with their teacher prior to the submission time. They might need to schedule time to meet before school, or even a few days before the due date.

If they are unable to meet before the assignment is due, encourage them to complete the assignment to the best of their ability, and make note of the challenging questions. When the assignment is returned, make sure they set up time to meet with their teacher outside of class to go over the assignment and get clarification. If the teacher doesn’t return a homework assignment and only submits a grade, it is even more important for your student to communicate with their teacher and set up a time to go over the challenging problems.

If your student is too young to do this, consider setting up a meeting with the teacher yourself. While teachers, particularly in lower grade levels, should be proactive about notifying parents when they see a student struggling, it is always helpful to be aware of your student’s challenges and work habits, and create a dialogue with their teacher.

Consider Hiring a Tutor

If your student is still struggling with homework, consider hiring a tutor. Tutors can help students understand concepts and even offer helpful tips and tricks for specific problems. They are experts in their field and are familiar with subject material, so you don’t have to rack your brain to remember Algebra 1 or middle school Biology. Tutors can also teach time management and organization skills that will help your student with homework and beyond. Some students might even be more disciplined and receptive to feedback when working with someone who isn’t family.

Hodis Learning & Music tutors and expert educators are ready to help your student tackle homework this year! Give us a call or email us to get started.