Learn and Work Smarter

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Many smart students struggle in school because no one ever taught them the actual skills of learning.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I’m sharing highlights from a larger free parent training I created. You’ll hear why “study harder” is bad advice, why motivation isn’t the magic fix we think it is, and what students really need to thrive in school and beyond.

Parents, this one’s especially for you, but students, if you’re listening, you’ll benefit too.

(The full training has slides and visuals, so I highly recommend you grab that here.)

What You'll Learn:

• Why studying more or harder won’t work without the right strategies in place
• How motivation is the output of skill building, not the input
• Why “learning styles” are a myth, and what matters instead
• The core academic and executive function skills every student needs but schools don’t teach
• Practical starting points for task management, time management, note-taking, annotation, studying, and organization

Resources Mentioned:

• Full Free Parent Training ⭐
• SchoolHabits University ⭐

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Our working memory has many strengths, like doing mental math and remembering the first part of a sentence as we read the second part. 

But the one thing it’s NOT good at is the one thing we keep asking it to do: remember information for longer than a brief moment.

That’s NOT what our working memories are designed to do. In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we talk all about working memory and how to support it. People with ADHD, this one’s especially for you.

What You Learn:

• The difference between working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory
• How to get information from your working memory into your long-term memory so you can actually remember the information when you need it (like for a test)
• Tons of practical strategies for supporting your working memory
• The impact of ADHD on working memory

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Podcast episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 5 – Secrets of a Good Task Management System 
• Episode 7 – How to Learn Things
• Episode 20 - How to Use Active Recall to Study
• Episode 21 - How to Plan Your Ideal Week
• Episode 25 - 5 Time Management Mistakes You’re Making
• Episode 29 - How to Take Useful Notes from Books
• Episode 52 - How to Use SOPs to Work Smarter
• Episode 61 - How to Prepare for Meetings

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Getting more reading into your life isn’t just about willpower, and working productively with chronic illness isn’t just about “pushing through.” Both require smart strategies that fit your real life.

In this month’s Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions: how to finally build a consistent reading habit, and how to adapt productivity systems when chronic illness is part of the equation. You’ll walk away with practical tools you can use right away—whether your goal is to read more books, or to get work done in a way that honors your health and energy.

If you’ve ever felt stuck with good intentions that never stick, or frustrated that typical productivity advice doesn’t account for chronic conditions, this episode will give you realistic, actionable steps to make progress

What You Learn:

• Simple ways to build and keep a reading habit (even if you’re busy or distracted)
• How to set up your environment so reading becomes the easy choice
• How to think about productivity when living with chronic illness
• Practical strategies to adjust your systems on low-energy days without losing momentum

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 4 – What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed: Practical Strategies You Can Use Now
• Episode 47 – How to Really Change a Habit 
• Episode 51 – How to Rest and Still Get Things Done

Never stop learning.

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Getting work done and completed on time isn’t just about motivation or working harder. (It rarely ever is.) Instead, it’s about whether your tasks move smoothly through a hidden but super-powerful funnel.

In this episode, I break down the 4 stages of the Assignment Funnel for students and the Project Funnel for professionals, showing how both systems explain why some people finish calmly and others get stuck in a cycle of procrastination and panic.

If you’ve ever missed deadlines, felt overwhelmed by projects, or wondered why your to-do list never seems to shrink, this episode will give you a clear framework to spot the bottlenecks and finally get things done. On time. Without all the drama. Like it’s your job. Because it is ;)

What You Learn:

• The 4 stages of the Assignment/Project Funnel and how they apply to schoolwork and professional tasks
• Why work piles up when the funnel gets “clogged” — and how to spot where you’re getting stuck
• How to use intake, sorting, processing, and output to move any assignment or project from start to finish
• Common bottlenecks like procrastination, anxiety, ADHD, and perfectionism — and strategies for working through them
• Why finishing on time isn’t just about time management, but about managing the flow of information and tasks

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 4 – What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed: Practical Strategies You Can Use Now
• Episode 5 – Secrets of a Good Task Management System
• Episode 15 – Email Management Tips: 3 Best Practices for Handling Your Inbox
• Episode 21 – How to Plan Your Ideal Week (Weekly Planning Tips)
• Episode 49 – How to Make Decisions Better, Faster, and More Confidently
• Episode 62 – Managing Email Inbox Chaos and Email Paralysis (Q&A)
• Episode 77 – How to Do a Work Sprint (and Make Massive Progress Fast)

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Multitasking feels productive, but the science says otherwise. Every time we switch between tasks, we lose time, accuracy, and energy — up to 40% of it. No wonder so many of us end the day feeling exhausted but not actually accomplished.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I dig into why multitasking doesn’t work (even if you think you’re the exception) and share a smarter, science-backed strategy called background tasking. This simple shift can help you stay engaged, reduce resistance to starting hard things, and make progress without burning yourself out.

If you’ve ever tried to study with Netflix on in the background or check emails during a meeting, this one’s for you.

What You Learn:

• Why multitasking is neurologically impossible (and what’s really happening instead)
• The hidden “switch cost” of task switching and how it steals up to 40% of your productive time
• The surprising research on how heavy multitaskers actually perform worse on key cognitive skills
• What background tasking is, how it works, and examples of effective pairings
• When to use background tasking and when not to

Resources Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• ⭐The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 36 How to Stop Procrastinating
• Episode 55 How to Use Body Doubling to Boost Focus
• Episode 68 The Time Management Trap No One Talks About
• Episode 72 How to Finish Unfinished Projects
• Episode 80 How to Do a Work Sprint
• APA Study

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.

Send me a message!🤓

The most traditional journey after high school is directly to a 4-year college. But for many students, there's a smarter path.

In this expert interview with education consultant Annie Reece, we demystify the gap year and PG year options for students.

Never considered these options? This episode might change everything you thought you knew about this magical year.

You Learn:

• The difference between gap and PG years
• What kind of student benefits from taking a gap/PG year
• The key to making a gap/PG year successful
• How to pay for gap/PG years, and where to find the best opportunities
• How a gap/PG year can amplify your college investment

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (New!)
• Episode 82: Post-Grad Gap Years (Q&A)
• Right Fit Educational Consulting

About Annie Reece
Annie Reece is an independent educational consultant who helps families find the ideal boarding school, gap year, semester, or summer program for their child. Since founding Right Fit Educational Consulting in 2013, she's guided families toward opportunities that match students’ strengths, interests, and aspirations, not just transcripts. A member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Gap Year Association, and Small Boarding School Association, Annie works with families who value a partner committed to their child’s success and well-being. IG @rightfiteducation

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.

Send me a message!🤓

In this monthly Q&A episode, I answer two questions submitted by listeners of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast.

Question one comes from a student. He asks me to weigh in on the most underrated parts of college. (Oof, there are a lot!)

Question two comes from a working professional. She asks for some ways to use her blank (untimed) planner to manage work tasks without using time blocking.

What You Learn:

• Why office hours are one of the most underrated opportunities in college—and how to actually use them
• Hidden campus resources that can change your academic, professional, and mental health trajectory
• How to evaluate whether your current planner setup is helping or hurting your productivity
• A simple method for identifying your top 3 daily tasks (even when everything feels important)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• The College Note-Taking Power System (Brand New Program!)
• Episode 5: How to Create a Task Management System
• Episode 12: Are Your Systems Broken?
• Episode 77: Time Blocking Strategy
• Episode 83: Anxiety's Hidden Cost in School

Never stop learning.

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Some of the most powerful influences on your success aren’t your calendar, your study techniques, or your productivity apps. They’re quieter, more hidden, and easier to overlook. 

In this episode, we explore three surprising areas of life that deeply affect how well you show up at school and work… even though they have nothing to do with school or work on the surface.

If you've built decent systems but still feel like you're not getting the results you want, these invisible factors might be why. This episode is part mindset shift, part tough love, and part practical strategy, because once you start paying attention to these areas, you can move toward the life you want.

What You’ll Learn:

• How your social circle might be capping your potential (without you realizing it)
• Why building frustration tolerance is essential for follow-through
• The quiet power of your internal narrative—and how to change it
• How to stay in discomfort long enough to make real progress
• What to do when your systems aren’t working, even though you “did everything right”

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Episode 14: How to Use the Pomodoro Technique
• Episode 25: How to Create a Task Management System
• Episode 77: Time Blocking Strategy

Never stop learning.

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.

Send me a message!🤓

Failing hurts. But the better we can extract meaning from our failures, the faster we can bounce back from them. 

In this (slightly vulnerable) episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share my personal experiences with failing and the strategies I use to now view those “failures” as some of the best things that have ever happened to me.

What You'll Learn:

• Why failure hurts so much and how to make it hurt less
• How to determine if something is really a failure or something else
• What to do immediately after you fail
• 3 ways to bounce back from failure and turn it into something valuable 

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Episode 37: How to Accept Feedback Without Being Defensive
• Episode 39: How to Ask for Help When Being Resourceful Isn’t Enough

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.

Send me a message!🤓

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I interview Dr. Jackie Parke, founder of Through the Waters and a psychologist who specializes in helping teens and college students cope with anxiety. 

In this value-packed and emotional episode, Dr. Parke shares important insights that can help both students and professionals suffering from anxiety at school or work. The key takeaway? You don’t have to suffer.

What You'll Learn

• The difference between stress, overwhelm, and clinical anxiety
• Signs of anxiety and 4 factors that suggest it’s time to seek support
• How anxiety impacts performance
• Practical strategies to use in the moment when you feel anxiety creeping in
• Multiple ways that students and professionals can access support, and what that looks like on a practical level

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Through the Waters Free Parent Training
• Dr. Parke on Instagram
• Dr Parke on YouTube

Never stop learning.

About Dr. Jackie Parke

Dr. Parke is a psychologist and founder of Through The Waters, an organization that helps teens and college students move forward with the next steps in their education, friendships, and future. Through The Waters provides expert-led online mental health programs, resources, and community for youth–accessible anytime, anywhere—including an online signature anxiety program called Peace To The People. As a psychologist, Dr. Parke has been serving students and their families since 2005 and has also served refugee youth in six countries.

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.