In this month's Q&A episode, I'm answering two questions that hit on some of the biggest study and productivity myths out there. 

Question One: A college student asks how to study for six to eight hours straight without crashing. My answer? Don't. 

Question Two: Someone asks about staying motivated to finish projects once the initial excitement wears off. Spoiler: motivation isn't the answer. 

In this episode of Learn and Work Smarter, I give you the real talk about effective studying, the truth about motivation, and the systems that actually help you get things done.

What You Learn:

• Why 6-8 hour study sessions are a really bad idea
• A study structure that actually works
• Why those "study with me for 12 hours" YouTube videos are misleading
• The truth about active recall and why it's exhausting (and why that's good)
• Why motivation is overrated and what to rely on instead
• How to take action even when you don't feel like it

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• ⭐SchoolHabits University: (SchoolHabitsUniversity.com)
• ⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)
• ⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)
• Episode 08 - Motivation vs. Discipline:
• Episode 24 – Why You Can't Focus (And What to Do About It)
• Episode 54 – The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Accomplishment Ever
• Episode 55 – Body Doubling
• Episode 72 – How to Finish Unfinished Projects

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

Most of us end our week by simply stopping, closing the laptop, and walking away. But then we wonder all weekend long why we can’t stop thinking about work or school.

That’s where the Friday Review comes in.

This simple 5–10 minute habit helps you close the loops from your week, get some clarity about what your weekend work schedule might be (or not be!), and set up next week so you’re not starting Monday from zero.

In this episode of Learn and Work Smarter, I walk you through the four-step Friday Review, how it fits into your larger weekly system, and why this tiny routine immediately creates more calm, clarity, and momentum for students and professionals.

What You Learn:

• Why work thoughts follow us into the weekend (and what to do about it)
• The 4-step Friday Review that closes out your entire week
• How this routine supports your Sunday planning + daily habits
• What belongs on your weekend to-do list (and what doesn’t)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• ⭐SchoolHabits University: SchoolHabitsUniversity.com
• ⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (CollegeNoteTakingSystem.com)
• ⭐Assignment Management Power System (AssignmentManagementSystem.com)
• Episode 21 – Weekly Planning Tips
• Episode 65 – The Sunday Reset
• Episode 93 - The 10-Minute Daily Habit
• Episode 101 - Digital Declutter Tips

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

Digital clutter is easier to ignore than physical clutter, because we can hide it behind folders and tabs. But eventually, digital clutter builds up so much that it impacts our focus and productivity even more than the physical mess around us.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I'm diving into the hidden consequences of digital clutter, the 5 zones digital clutter accumulates the most, and a framework that can help you declutter each one.

The strategies apply to students and professionals.

What You Learn:

• Why digital clutter secretly drains your productivity
• The 5 zones where digital clutter hides
• Three questions to declutter any digital space
• The simplest folder structure that actually works
• Why maintenance habits beat massive overhauls

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• ⭐SchoolHabits University
• ⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• ⭐Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 15 – Email Management Best Practices
• Episode 62 – Email Paralysis and Overwhelm 

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram @schoolhabits
• Facebook @schoolhabits
• Pinterest @schoolhabits

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

This is our 100th episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast! To celebrate this cool milestone, I've gone back into every single episode and extracted one key tip to re-share with you.

Grab your pen and paper (or grab the transcript at learnandworksmarter.com/podcast/100) and be prepared to get inspired. I read each episode number, the episode title, and the key takeaway ... and if you hear something you want to learn more about, take note of the episode number so you can dive into the full episode afterward.

Thank you for being on this podcast journey with me! I can't wait to do another 100.

What You'll Learn:

100 tips for learning and working smarter, spanning the following topics:

• organization
• studying
• executive functions
• ADHD
• focus
• time management
• task management
• career advice
• college advice
• motivation
• productivity
• note-taking
• mindset
• self-advocacy

🔗Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

In this Q&A episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I’m answering two listener questions from college students who are both wondering what comes next.

One student is deciding between a traditional job and entrepreneurship, and the other is trying to make the most of college while figuring out her future path.

We’re diving into the myths around entrepreneurship, the value of early career experience, and how to use your college years to build skills that transfer into the real world. Whether you’re a student, new graduate, or someone in the middle of a transition, this episode will help you see your next steps more clearly and remind you that uncertainty doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path.

What You Learn:

• Why entrepreneurship and traditional employment aren’t mutually exclusive, and how to combine both strategically
• The most practical way to explore business ideas while still in college (without risking financial stability)
• How early job experience builds the skills and perspective every entrepreneur needs
• The “meta skills” that future-proof your career — like time management, communication, and self-initiative
• Why following your curiosity (not just your passion) leads to smarter career decisions
• How to use college intentionally (through internships, mentorships, and real-world projects) to prepare for what’s next

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 11 – The 6 Most Valuable Skills for School and Career
• Episode 22 – Internship Tips 
• Episode 56 - Choosing a College Major (with Lisa Marker Robbins)
• Episode 58 -More Internship Tips

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

There’s more to meetings than just showing up and trying to sound smart. In fact, there’s a whole hidden curriculum in most meetings that is more about how you act than about what you say.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I’m sharing the secret meeting skills that nobody talks about, but that everybody notices. When you know these skills, you’ll start using meetings as a way to build your professional reputation and prove to others that you take your work seriously.

This episode is perfect for early-career professionals, students starting internships, or anyone without a lot of meeting experience.

What You Learn:

• The hidden curriculum of meetings — unspoken rules that silently shape how others perceive you
• How to present yourself professionally in meetings through posture, focus, and awareness
• The importance of knowing your role in the room (and how to prepare for it)
• How to listen and participate like a pro — when to speak up, how to ask smart questions, and what to avoid
• The essential steps for following through after meetings so your reputation stands out for reliability

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 31 – How to Take Notes at Meetings
• Episode 61 – How to Prepare for Meetings

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

All the strategies in the world won't protect you from having an occasional bad day. Bad days are just ... part of being human. But how we respond to a bad day can make all the difference in the world.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I dig into the two options you can choose from when your day begins to tank: quit the day (this is actually a legitimate option) or do what you can to salvage what's left of it.

What You Learn:

• How to tell the difference between a bad day that needs fixing and one you should just let go.
• Five realistic strategies to reset your mood, energy, and focus when things fall apart.
• Why changing your environment—or even just your sensory input—can instantly shift your mental state.
• The surprising link between movement, mood, and executive function (and how to use it on tough days).
• What NOT to do when your day derails

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 4 – What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed
• How to Stop Catastrophizing (video)

Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

You're following all the productivity advice you see on the internet, you're waking up early, and getting to inbox zero, and doing all the "right things" ... but still, you're stressed out and overwhelmed. 

The problem just might be that the advice you're following is ... bad.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I'm sharing 9 pieces of bad productivity advice that have so many people fooled. The problem is that following this bad advice not only doesn't make you more productive at school or work, but it can make you LESS productive.

What You Learn:

• How you might have the definition of productivity all wrong
• What role tools have in making you more productive
• The connection between quitting things and getting things done
• Whether waking up early improves or destroys your productivity
• Why trying to get to inbox zero is a waste of time
• How managing your time better may not be the right approach

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Assignment Management Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 15 – Email Management Tips for Handling Your Inbox
• Episode 36 – How to Stop Procrastinating
• Episode 94 - Simplifying Task Management and Staying Focused Despite Disruptions (Q&A)
• Episode 95– Why You Always Think Things Will Take Longer Than They Do

Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

Accurately predicting how long tasks will take to complete is a core skill related to time management. It’s called time estimation, and many of us are terrible at it.

If you want to improve your time management skills, you can’t ignore the power of learning how to accurately estimate how long common school or work tasks take you to finish. If you’ve struggled with time management in the past, this might be why.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I teach you everything you need to know about the skill of estimating time so that you can finally get your things done when you say you’re going to do them.

What You Learn:

• What time estimation means and how it’s the key skill behind many other executive functions
• What bad time estimation skills look like in school, work, and personal lives (common signs)
• The consequences of bad time estimation skills (and the benefits of good ones!)
• How ADHD and time blindness impact your ability to accurately estimate how long tasks take to complete
• Practical strategies to improve your time estimation skills in school and work (which will improve your time management skills)
• Time estimation tips for people with ADHD

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 7 – How to Learn Things
• Episode 31 – How to Take Notes at Meetings
• Episode 55 - How to Use Body Doubling to Improve Focus
• Episode 77 – How to Use Time Blocking
• Episode 79 — Time Missing Piece in ADHD Productivity Advice — with Lindsay Roberts
• Episode 91 - Working Memory Strategies and Tips

❤️ Connect:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)

Two of the biggest barriers to our productivity as students and professionals are over-complicated systems that don’t work and disruptions to our focus.

In this month’s Q&A episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I answer two listener questions about those exact two roadblocks.

Question One: How do I know if my task management system is working?

Question Two: How do I get my work done when I have so many random meetings?

What You Learn:

• Why friction is the number one enemy of a good task management system
• Multiple red flags that your task management system isn’t working
• How simplifying your systems leads to increased productivity and lower stress
• How to structure your day when you have unpredictable disruptions
• Secret productivity strategies that professionals use to protect their focus and their time

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website with transcript
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 3 – What’s an Admin Block and Why You Need One
• Episode 5 – Secrets of a Good Task Management System
• Episode 10 – Tips for Better Task Management
• Episode 21 - How to Plan Your Ideal Week

Student Jumpstart Course Bundle: BOGO for $10

Got your own burning question you'd like me to answer on a future episode? AWESOME! You can submit your questions via the form on my homepage right here.

Please follow the show and leave a review if what you hear is helpful. Doing so helps me more than you'll ever know. Thank you!!

LET'S CONNECT

Sign up for my (pretty darn good) newsletter that I very craftily named ReportCard.

For hundreds of tutorials featuring tips on studying, productivity, organization, learning, time management and more, head to my blog: SchoolHabits.com.

Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter)
Connect on Instagram (@SchoolHabits)
Connect on Facebook (SchoolHabitsKatie)