Educational Wellness - Tutor Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, La Canada

Navigating Group Projects: Part 2

Last week we shared our first four tips for navigating group projects. Today, we have four more final tips and tricks to help you succeed!

Tip 4: Determine What Group Meetings Will Be Used For

Is that the time when members can work on their assigned portion of the project? Or should members have their assignments completed prior to the meeting so things can be put together and you can move on to the next phase of the project?

Tip 5: Take Meeting Notes & Distribute Them To All Members

You can assign the role of note taking to the group leader or to another member. The notes don’t have to be extremely detailed, but make sure they include important information like which members were in attendance, when the next meeting will be, who is assigned to what, deadlines, and any other relevant information. Make sure whoever takes the notes sends them to everyone after the meeting. Notes can also be used to hold group members accountable.

Tip 6: Communication is Key

Regular and respectful communication is incredibly important while working in a group project. Make sure you understand what you are assigned to work on and when those portions are due. If you are uncertain about something ask a group member for help or advice. That is the benefit of these unique circumstances- you are supposed to ask your classmates for help!

Tip 7: Play to Everyone’s Strengths, When Possible

If you are a strong writer, perhaps you take on the responsibility of putting together the final report for the project and make sure all sections are cohesive. If you love putting together PowerPoints, maybe you volunteer to oversee the creation of one for your group presentation. While it might not always be possible to do work that plays to your strengths in a group project, if you find opportunities, certainly take advantage of those.

Get Help From An Expert Tutor

If you need help with an upcoming school project, call us at (626) 227-1149 or visit hodislearning.com to get in touch with an expert educator today!

Navigating Group Projects: Part 1

Navigating Group Projects. Image of students working together on a school assignment.

Whether you love them or hate them, there’s no doubt about it: group projects are incredibly practical and helpful in preparing students for future academic success and for real life beyond the classroom. You will definitely have group projects throughout high school and college, and you will most likely be working with a team at some point in your professional career. Learning how to successfully work in a group will benefit any student.

Why Are Group Projects So Challenging?

First, group projects bring together different personalities and working styles. This is why they are so critical, but also why they can be frustrating. Second, group projects often take place over a longer period of time, so it’s often necessary to coordinate schedules if you all must meet outside of the classroom to work together. Third, group projects usually demand a division of labor, which, if done incorrectly, can lead to some group members feeling like they are taking on a majority of the work while others don’t do anything. Finally, the grading criteria for a group project can be different from the criteria of your usual assignments, which might feel stressful or intimidating.

Tip 1: Meet & Go Over Assignment Expectations As Soon As Possible

Get your group together to meet in person as soon as possible after the assignment and groups are announced by your teacher. Go over the assignment, grading criteria, and timeline to ensure everyone understands the requirements. Exchange contact information and decide what your main form of communication will be, whether that is email, a group chat, or a messenger app.

Tip 2: Consider Assigning a Formal Team Manager or Leader

Sometimes teachers assign a leader and sometimes they do not. If your teacher does not assign a leader, consider doing so in your first group meeting. A leader doesn’t have to be the loudest person or the person who tells everyone else what to do. It can be someone who makes sure each element of the assignment is completed, creates the group chat, and submits the final project.

Tip 3: Determine Your Group Meeting Schedule

If you aren’t given time in class to work or you know you will need additional time outside of class to complete your assignment, make sure you determine when you will all meet again. You can simply set the next meeting date or you can create a schedule and say, “We will meet every Sunday at 3 PM at the local library.”

Some helpful scheduling hacks:

Consider setting a tentative recurring meeting date, to be used as needed. That way, if there is a week where you know you’ll need to meet in-person or an emergency comes up, you avoid last minute scheduling and everyone has that time blocked off in their calendar for meetings.
Make sure every member blocks out your agreed-upon meeting time in their calendars.
A day or two before, have your group leader double check with everyone that you all are still meeting at your designated time and place.
If everyone cannot meet in a physical location, or you feel that you don’t need to meet in-person, consider briefly checking in over Face Time or Zoom to make sure every member is on track.

If you need help with an upcoming school project, call us at (626) 227-1149 or visit hodislearning.com to get in touch with an expert educator today!

Check out more of our tips here to get the most out of your group project.

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.

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.

Educational Wellness, Music Lessons

Non-Musical Benefits to Learning a New Instrument

If you’re wondering whether learning a new instrument is the right hobby for your child (or even for yourself), there’s a lot to consider. What are the benefits of their chosen instrument? What style of music will they learn? What musical concepts will they be studying? These are all great questions that I hear often from new music students.

However, music lessons offer so much more than a strict music education. And oftentimes, having the right music teacher makes all the difference. Students can gain invaluable life skills from learning a new instrument, some of which are covered in the following list:

Connecting Both Sides of the Brain

Research shows that learning a new instrument that involves both hands (or even three or four limbs) creates connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. These connections allow both sides of the brain to communicate. This increased communication affords students greater motor coordination and increased ability to focus. It also helps students learn new languages and even read more easily. Essentially, learning a new instrument expands a student’s brain power.

Perseverance and Patience

At some point in their musical education, every student will inevitably struggle with a concept, piece, or technique. Students can use these experiences to build resilience in challenging situations. The same experiences can also help students cultivate a greater capacity for patience.

Managing Disappointment and Failure

As with any learning experience, learning a new instrument offers ample opportunities for disappointment and failure. Some students naturally practice and study harder to overcome their failure, while others learn this skill from their teacher. With motivation and encouragement from a trustworthy music teacher, students also learn to reframe their failures as learning opportunities.

Commitment

Sometimes students come home from school feeling too tired to attend their lesson. Learning the skill of showing up to obligations and thereby demonstrating their commitment is invaluable. (Just make sure your student demonstrates self-care by resting after their session.)

Working with Others

Learning an instrument teaches students how to work with others. If your student joins a choir or ensemble, then they will have opportunities to learn how to work with peers, as well.

Set and Accomplish Goals

With guidance from an expert music teacher, students will learn to make actionable and attainable goals in their studies. Accomplishing their goals reinforces their goal-setting skills.

Humility

Students quickly learn that mastering an instrument does not happen overnight. In fact, mastering an instrument takes many years of intense practice. The journey of learning an instrument is a humbling experience.

Lifelong Friendships

Throughout a student’s time learning a new instrument, they are bound to make friendships through music. Whether they make new friends in band, choir, or music class, some of these friends may stick around for life.

Choosing the right music teacher is crucial to a student’s education. Hodis Learning & Music employs expert music educators who are experienced in helping students break down complex concepts and skills so that they may grow in their musical abilities. Our music teachers are also skilled motivators who encourage their students to improve musically and non-musically. Check out our music teachers and their offered instruments here.

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.

Strategies for Tackling Homework

Strategies for Tackling Homework

Ah, homework. An inevitable, but often unenjoyable, part of school. While many students dread homework, it is an important part of your education.

What’s the Point of Homework, Anyways?

Homework should, ideally, reinforce concepts that you learn in class. In some cases, homework might prepare you for upcoming exams or test your 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.

Strategies for Tackling Homework

Keep the above notes in mind as you start receiving homework assignments. Think of homework as a tool to help you learn concepts and gain life skills. Keep a positive attitude. Positivity and open-mindedness can improve your outlook on homework or any daunting task.
Find a quiet place to work without distractions. If it’s too distracting to do work at home, try going to a library. Also, it’s very important to limit distractions like your cell phone, TV, music, or even other browsing tabs open on your computer. You will get through assignments much faster and understand concepts better without multitasking and distractions. Consider turning your phone off or at least on Do Not Disturb Mode while you are working. For your computer, try apps like Forest, Freedom, or RescueTime.
Prioritize your homework based on 1) what’s due first and 2) what you think will take you the most time. If you know math homework tends to take you a while, don’t wait until 10 PM to start it. You might feel the urge to put off the most unappealing tasks, but you will be more focused and capable of doing challenging work if you start it first.
Set a timer for each homework assignment. If you feel frozen in the face of a mountain of assignments, set a 20-25 minute timer for each one. Work without interruption until the timer goes off and stop wherever you are when it does. You might be surprised at how much you are able to get through with 20 minutes of undivided attention. Repeat until your homework is complete!
Make note of the questions and assignments that are especially challenging or time-consuming. Remember, homework is supposed to reinforce concepts. Let your teacher know that you are struggling and ask for additional help or clarification. Oftentimes students just want to be done with the assignment, but their lack of understanding will impact how they do on tests and even how they do for the rest of the year because concepts build on each other. Your teacher should want to see you succeed and offer advice or resources to help you complete homework more efficiently and understand the material.

Consider Hiring a Tutor

If you are still struggling with homework, consider hiring a tutor. Tutors can help you understand concepts and even offer helpful tips and tricks for specific problems. Tutors can also teach you time management and organization skills that will help you with homework and beyond.

If you’re a parent, learn how you can help your student tackle homework in this article.