#176 – If you've seen all the content online about "locking in" and thought, that might work for fitness, but it definitely doesn't work for studying, this episode is for you.

Because when you're studying alongside work and life, "locking in" can sound like sacrificing your evenings, your weekends, your hobbies and your sanity. But that's not the only way to do it.

In this episode, I'm reframing what it means to lock in academically – so you can approach your studies with more clarity, more strategy and a lot less burnout.

You'll discover:

• why the usual "lock in" narrative feels so intense and unrealistic for adult learners
• what it actually means to lock in academically in a sustainable way
• the 3 things you need to understand before you can create a study plan that works
• practical examples of how to balance committed studying with the rest of your life
• how to build a more strategic academic game plan around your course, schedule and goals

This episode is perfect for adult learners, working professionals and career-driven students who want to take their studies seriously – but not at the cost of everything else.

If you want to feel more focused, more organised and more consistent in your studying without grinding yourself into the ground, this episode will help you think about "locking in" very differently.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode176

Download my FREE study session planners or FREE essay sentence starters.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#175 – If you're overwhelmed by the thought of evening study sessions, this episode reveals a simple yet powerful shift that makes studying after work easier and more achievable. Because you know you NEED to study after work, but you don't know how to do it in a way that doesn't make you hate your life.

You'll discover:

• The unexpected benefits of studying after work

• How to identify your ideal study windows and create clear, realistic plans

• Practical tips for smoothing your transition from work to study

• The importance of setting intentional study times and actions that align with your goals

This episode is perfect for busy professionals, students juggling work and study, or anyone who feels overwhelmed when trying to fit evening learning into their lives.

This episode will help you reframe studying as an empowering, manageable part of your routine – and finally get consistent progress without guilt or burnout.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode175.

Download my FREE study session planners or FREE essay sentence starters.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#174 – Most students think academic writing is just about essays and grades and that it only impacts them while they're studying. But what if it was also the key to unlocking more confidence, clarity and success in other areas of your life?

In this episode, I'm sharing 5 real-life benefits of academic writing that no one talks about—skills and shifts that can change how you think, write, and show up at work, in conversations and beyond.

If you've ever wondered whether learning to write better essays is really worth the effort…this episode will show you just how far those skills can take you. To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode174. Enrol in my upcoming Better Essays Bootcamp. Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club. Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#173 – Writing essays faster isn't about typing speed or motivation—it's about skill.

In this episode, I'm sharing how I managed to write 40,000 words in just one week (yep, really), and the 7 key strategies that made it possible.

You'll hear what didn't help (and might be slowing you down too), plus the practical tools, habits and mindset shifts that made fast, focused writing possible.

Whether you're writing 1,000 words or 10,000, these tips will help you write stronger essays in less time—without the panic or waffle. To get the links and full shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode173. Enrol in my upcoming Better Essays Bootcamp. Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club. Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook. Additional episodes mentioned: Ep.171 Choose Your Hard: How to Keep Going When Studying Feels Impossible Ep.166 Brain Got Too Many Tabs Open? Outsmart Your Studying Overwhelm Today

#172 – Feel like your study sessions are more faffing than focusing?

In this week's episode, I'm sharing 3 simple steps to help you stop wasting time and finally feel productive when you study. You'll learn exactly what to do at the start, middle and end of a study session so you can get more done in less time—without burning out.

These are the tips I use myself and teach my students—and they really work. These are quick wins you can try today to make your study time feel calmer, clearer and way more effective.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode172. Download my FREE Study Session Planners Download my FREE Better Essays Sentence Starters Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club. Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#171 – Studying is hard…but not studying is hard too. In this episode, I'm sharing a powerful mindset shift to help you get through those stuck, low-motivation moments.

I'll walk you through real student examples and tell the personal story of my own recent qualification. One of the hardest things I've done in years.

You'll learn how to pause, reflect and choose the kind of hard that moves you forward. Plus, I'll share free tools to help you make studying feel more doable – whether you're on a break or deep in essay season.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode171.

Download my FREE Study Session Planners

Download my FREE Better Essays Sentence Starters

Download my FREE Intentional Study Break Workbook

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#170 – If you're currently on a study break, or you've got one coming up—whether it's a few weeks or a few months between terms/years—this episode will help you make the most of it.

I'm sharing a gentle, practical approach to planning your break with intention—not to get more done, but to feel more like you. You'll learn how to reflect on what you need, create playful "classes" from the things you love, and build a weekly schedule that supports rest, joy and freedom.

There's also a free printable workbook to help you create your own personalised break plan—complete with journalling prompts, naming inspiration, and a weekly schedule template.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode170.

Download the FREE accompanying workbook for this episode.

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#169 – If you have ever found yourself thinking, "why does essay writing feel so hard?" you are not alone.

In this episode, I share 5 reasons why essays often feel overwhelming, confusing or frustrating—and what you can do about each one. We will explore why you were never properly taught how to write essays, why traditional study methods often make things harder, and why high-stakes assignments leave no room for practice.

You will also hear why outdated frameworks like PEEL are not helping you and how you might be working incredibly hard but not always in the most effective way.

If essay writing feels like a slog, there is nothing wrong with you—you just need better support, clearer methods, and more strategic tools. I will also introduce you to my brand-new training, The Essay Fix, which is open for enrolment now.

Tune in to learn practical shifts you can make right away to make essay writing feel easier, more focused and less overwhelming.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode169.

Join the Essay Fix training.

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#168 – You're told to be an independent learner at university—but no one actually shows you how.

In this episode, I'm unpacking why independent learning feels so hard at higher education level, especially if you're returning to study as an adult.

You'll learn why the problem isn't your intelligence, motivation or potential—but the lack of proper support. I'll break down the myth of 'just figuring it out', share the metaphor I use with my students to explain what's really going on, and walk you through what should happen instead.

If studying still feels harder than it should be, this episode will help you understand why—and give you a clearer way forward.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode168

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#167 – You worked hard. You followed the guidance. You poured hours into your essay… and still didn't get the mark you hoped for. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I'm unpacking the only two reasons why your essay grades aren't higher—and why these problems have nothing to do with your intelligence, effort or potential.

You'll learn how misunderstanding the question and writing at the wrong level are the most common (and fixable) reasons students lose marks. I'll walk you through the signs to look out for, the types of feedback that hint at these issues and the specific study skills that can turn things around.

Whether you're aiming to pass confidently or push your marks higher, this episode will help you close the gap between the grade you got and the one you deserve.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode167

Check out the episode I mention on Bloom's Taxonomy (episode 161)

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.