It's time for our August Q&A episode! This is where I answer questions submitted by listeners -- yes, that's you!

In this week's Q&A, I answer three listener questions:

✅Question 1: A soon-to-be college student asks me for advice for heading into freshman year of college.

✅Question 2: A working professional asks about annotating used books. Do we ignore the previous reader's annotations? Do we pay attention to them?

✅Question 3: A working professional with industry expertise and experience is wondering how to keep her skill set relevant when her colleagues are getting younger and younger.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

🎙️Other Episodes Mentioned

→ Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
→ Episode 11: The 6 Most Valuable Skills for School and Work
→ Episode 12: Are Your Productivity Systems Broken?
→ Episode 29: How to Take Useful Notes from Books

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 Sign up for my awesome newsletter

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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 episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, you learn everything you need to know about building a student resume that sets you apart from the pack. The right resume highlighting the right things can get you in the door to college, internships, and jobs.

(So yeah, it's important!)

Your resume is your first impression, and as you know, you only have one chance at making a good one.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

✅ The 5 key sections your student resume must have
✅ Resume formatting tips
✅ How to craft the ideal objective statement (and why it matters)
✅ What not to include on your student resume
✅ How to customize your resume for your age and goals
✅ How to take a high school resume to a college resume (and ultimately, to a professional resume)

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)

→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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 nothing worse than taking time away from the office to relax, but then coming home to absolute chaos when you return.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share three pre-vacation strategies that can help you relax deeper when you’re away from the office and return to work stress-free.

This episode is all about systems. And it’s for anyone who will be stepping away from the office or campus for a vacation or for any extended period of time. 

Relax better, and come home with a manageable inbox, clarity on your projects, and a reasonable task list that is perfect for slowly getting back into the grind.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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 episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we dive into the art of effective note-taking during meetings.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a student navigating academic clubs and group projects, these insights are exactly for you.

I’ll show you how to simplify the note-taking process so you can stay focused and organized without feeling overwhelmed. Because let’s face it—meetings can be a challenge, and your note-taking shouldn’t make it any harder.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

✅ When to take notes at meetings and when not to
✅ What kind of information to take notes on and what NOT to take notes on
✅ The strategy for how to figure out what to write down
✅ How to format your notes so they’re useful when you need them

So get out your pens so you can take some notes on taking notes 😉

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

🎙️Other Episodes + Resources Mentioned:

→ Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
→ Episode 10: Tips for Better Task Management and Focus (Q&A)
→ Episode 28: 6 Tips for Organizing Papers
→ Episode 29: How to Take Useful Notes from Books

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:
→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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)

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

The first question is from a recent college graduate asking about his first job. He’s currently in a job he doesn’t enjoy, and he’s wondering if he should stick it out or quit and move on.

The second question is from a working professional asking for tips about how to say no to clients he doesn’t think are a good fit. I share some practical advice to make saying no easier, as well as how to do it gracefully.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

🎙️OTHER EPISODES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED:

→ Episode 22: Tips for Student Internships and Working with ADHD
→ Enroll in SchoolHabits University or SchoolHabits University for Education!! The ultimate study skills and school habits curriculum for high school and college students.

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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 episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we are talking about a skill that comes in handy for students, working professionals, and basically anyone who reads books.

Yep, we are talking about note-taking. Specifically, how to take useful notes from books, whether you’re reading a book for school that you’ll have to write an essay on, or you’re reading a book for professional or personal development that you want to learn from.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be an expert on:

✅ Knowing when NOT to take notes from books
✅ Determining what to take notes on and what to leave out
✅ Taking notes that are useful and serve an actual purpose
✅ Formatting your notes so that they’re useful to you when you need them

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Prefer video? Learn and Work Smarter is on YouTube!)

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

Enroll in SchoolHabits University or SchoolHabits University for Education!! The ultimate study skills and school habits curriculum for high school and college students.

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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)

Although we live in a digital age, we’re somehow still surrounded by papers. Work papers, school papers, home papers – these can clutter our spaces and our minds.

Do you throw it away? Keep it forever? File it in a drawer? Scan it into the computer? Ah!

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we cover 6 tips for organizing papers. The organization tips will help you manage papers for school and work, but you can also apply them to your home.

As always, the tips are based on my foundational principle of keeping things simple.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (The podcast has its own YouTube channel! Come join me!)

⭐Other Resources Mentioned⭐

→ Enroll in SchoolHabits University or SchoolHabits University for Education!! The ultimate study skills and school habits curriculum for high school and college students.

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

→ 📝Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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 episode, we dive into the concept of a Power Hour, a time management strategy designed to help working professionals and students make progress on their most important tasks.

Learn how to harness the power of a focused, uninterrupted hour to boost your productivity and move the needle on the things that are just, for some reason, not completing themselves. 😉

I'll guide you through the 5 steps to create and execute a Power Hour effectively, and by the end of the episode, you'll know how to integrate this powerful technique into your box of time management tools.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Come join me!)

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

→ Episode 03 What’s an Admin Block and Why You Need One for Productivity?
→ Episode 05 Secrets of a Good Task Management System
→ Episode 10 February Q&A: Tips for Better Task Management and Focus
→ Episode 14 How to Use the Pomodoro Technique for School and Work

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:
→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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)

It’s another monthly Q&A episode where I answer questions submitted by listeners. (That’s YOU!) 

I answer two listener questions this month. 

The first question is from a working professional. They’re asking for tips to stay motivated during slower periods in the office. (Yep - the summer slump happens at work, too.)

The second question is from a college student asking if he should pursue a double major. As someone who double-majored herself, I have an interesting take on the subject.

Question 1 starts at 1:04
Question 2 starts at 11:00

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (Come join me!)

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

→ Episode 08 Motivation vs. Discipline: Which One Matters More?
→ Episode 19 What to Do When Your Job is Too Hard

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:
→ Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
→ Weekly Planner (pdf)

→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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)

Time is our most valuable resource, which means that we should be doing everything in our power to ensure we’re spending it on the right things. 

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I talk about the top 5 time management mistakes I see my clients make all the time (my students and my working professionals). These mistakes may seem harmless, but I assure you they’re destroying your most valuable resource.

I also give you practical strategies for fixing each of these top time management mistakes so that you walk away from the episode feeling confident and ready to tweak your approach to managing your time.

💻PODCAST EPISODE WEBSITE → (for more details and a full transcript)
💻WATCH ON YOUTUBE! → (brand new channel! Come join me!)

🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

→ Episode 01: What’s an Admin Block and Why You Need One for Productivity
→Episode 05: Secrets of a Good Task Management System
→ Episode 21: How to Plan Your Ideal Week (Weekly Planning Tips)
→ Episode 24: How to Focus Better: Tips for School, Work and ADHD

✏️ FREE DOWNLOADS:

• → Daily Timeblock Planner (pdf)
• → Weekly Planner (pdf)

→ 📰 SIGN UP FOR MY AWESOME NEWSLETTER

✏️Get my $47 Note-Taking Course: collegenotetakingsystem.com

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)