Learn and Work Smarter

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In this monthly Q&A episode, I answer two questions submitted by listeners of the show. 

Question One: A college student asks whether taking a year after graduation to travel will impact their hiring prospects. My answer might surprise you!

Question Two: A professional asks me to weigh in on some common productivity advice about email. I'll bet you've heard this advice before, too ... and I issue some words of caution if it's something you follow.

What You'll Learn

• Why taking a gap year after college doesn’t have to derail your career (and how to do it strategically)
• How to turn travel into résumé-worthy experience
• The real reason productivity experts warn against checking email in the morning — and whether that advice applies to you
• A practical framework for handling email without letting it hijack your day

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website   (with transcript)
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Episode 3 – How to Create Admin Blocks
• Episode 64 – How to Do Hard Things
• Episode 77 – Time Blocking

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!🤓

Grad school can be a terrific way to gain industry knowledge, career advancement and a financial bump. But it’s also expensive, time-consuming, and not always necessary.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share a unique framework (the WNC Framework) for deciding whether graduate school is the right option for you. We also discuss alternatives to grad school that might still get you exactly what you want.

What You'll Learn

• The benefits of graduate programs
• The drawbacks of graduate programs
• What the WNC Framework is and how to use it to decide if grad school is worth it
• Real-life scenarios and examples of people who went to grad school and a) loved it, and b) regretted it
• Alternatives to grad school that still get you what you want

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website   (with transcript)
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Episode 71: Task Management and Grad School Overwhelm
• Episode 57: 20 Tips for Balancing School and a Part-Time Job
• CGS Report
• AACSB Report
• Investopedia Report

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!🤓

Got a big project you’ve been avoiding? Or one you just need to make massive progress on, fast? In this episode, I walk you through one of my favorite strategies for intense productivity: the work sprint.

I’ll define what a work sprint is, walk you through exactly how to set one up (logistics, mindset, and all), and share real-life examples of using this method to get massive things done.

What You'll Learn

▶ What makes a task right (or wrong) for a work sprint
▶  How to plan meals, logistics, and materials in advance
▶  How to avoid burnout while still making real progress
▶  The #1 mindset shift that makes a work sprint enjoyable
▶  Common mistakes to avoid (I've made them!)
▶  When not to use this method (like for studying) 

🎙Resources and Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website   (with transcript)
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• Episode 27: How to Get Things Done with a Power Hour
• Episode 14: Pomodoro Technique

Never stop learning. xo Katie

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!🤓

Most ADHD productivity advice skips something essential: the internal dialogue, the fear of being judged, and the deep self-doubt. 

In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD thought leader and creator of ADHDKlub Lindsay Roberts to talk about what happens beneath the surface of an ambitious ADHD mind. We have a raw and honest conversation about rejection sensitivity, identity wounds, and the emotional resistance that sabotages so many people with ADHD before they even begin. 

We unpack rejection sensitivity, including what it is, how it shows up in daily life, and why it's one of the biggest missing pieces in conventional productivity advice for ADHD brains. Lindsay shares her personal advice for dealing with hyperfocus and how to harness it if you can’t fight it.

If you’ve ever wondered why you know what to do but still don’t do it, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• What rejection sensitivity actually feels like in daily life
• Why mindset—not strategy—is the missing piece in most ADHD advice
• How Lindsay rebuilt her confidence after years of fear-based decisions
• Tools and reflections for anyone trying to start something meaningful
• How to harness the ADHD superpower known as hyperfocus

Whether you’ve been stuck in self-doubt or are navigating ADHD yourself, this episode will meet you right where you are.

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)
• ADHDKlub on Instagram @adhdklub
• ADHD Rejection Rescue Kit
• ADHDKlub.com (check back soon for all the cool things Lindsay will be doing over here!!

Never stop learning.

About Lindsay

Lindsay Roberts is a multi-passionate business owner and the founder of ADHD Klub, which is a space for ambitious women with ADHD who feel stuck in overthinking, shame or fear, even when they're sitting on life-changing ideas.

Lindsay has multiple psychology and teaching degrees, and used to work closely with autistic teens in the classroom. She was diagnosed with ADHD at age nine, so neurodiversity has always been a part of her world. But everything just hit differently when she started building her own businesses, and that's when her fear of rejection came in hard, despite having incredible ideas and a really strong purpose.

She launched a company called Au2Know to help parents support their autistic children at home, but walked away from it, not because she didn't believe in it, but because the fear of judgment and getting it wrong was too loud. Eventually, Lindsay tapped into her ADHD superpowers and stopped abandoning herself when things got scary, and in early 2025 she launched ADHDKlub, growing her Instagram from zero to 75,000 followers in just four months.

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!🤓

Is it okay to work on weekends? And what’s going on when you sit down to work during the week but just… can’t? 

In this Q&A episode, I’m answering two listener-submitted questions that get at the heart of time, focus, and burnout.

We’ll talk about when weekend work can actually serve you, and when it’s just masking deeper problems. I’ll also walk you through the most common reasons people lose weekday focus (hint: it’s not laziness), and how to restructure your systems to make your workday more manageable.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to tell whether weekend work is helping or hurting
• A system-first approach to solving weekday focus issues
• Signs that your productivity strategy (not you!) might be broken
• Why focus is not about willpower (and what to do instead)

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Subscribe on YouTube(@LearnAndWorkSmarter) 🎥
• Episode 12: Are Your Productivity Systems Broken?
• Episode 14: How to Use the Pomodoro Technique
• Episode 45: Are You Doing Too Much?
• Episode 77: How to Use Time Blocking to Improve Focus and Productivity
• Free Professional Self-Assessment Checklist: (Free PDF download)

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!🤓

If you’re overwhelmed, distracted, or constantly wondering where your day went, time-blocking can help. 

And if you've tried time blocking before and thought it “didn’t work”, I invite you to try it again using the strategies I teach in this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast.

Listen in as I break down how to use time-blocking to improve focus and productivity without cramming more into your schedule. Whether you're a student juggling coursework or a professional managing multiple projects, you'll learn how to use this flexible structure to plan your day around what matters most.

What You’ll Learn:

• What time-blocking actually is (and what people get wrong about it)
• How to use it as a student, professional, or anyone who wants to stay focused
• Real-world examples of how to build a time-blocked day
• Why time-blocking can feel hard — and how to make it easier
• Three big mistakes that ruin most people’s time-blocking attempts (and how to fix them)

⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)

⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Free Time Block Planner (free download)
• Episode 3 – How to Use Admin Blocks
• Episode 10 – Focus Tips (Q&A)
• Episode 24 – How to Focus Better: Tips for School, Work and ADHD
• Episode 43 – How to Focus When Working from Home
• Episode 55 – Body Doubling for ADHD and Focus
• Episode 76 - Digital Calendar Strategies

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!🤓

Most of us have a digital calendar… but few of us are using it to its full potential. 

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I’m walking you through 10 practical ways to turn your digital calendar into a true productivity tool.

Part 1 covers 6 calendar power moves. These are simple but game-changing ways to make your calendar work for you instead of against you.

Part 2 is all about building a reliable calendar habit so you can actually stick with it and trust it to guide your day.

Whether you're a student, professional, or someone juggling both worlds, these tips will help you stay focused, plan better, and feel more in control.

What You’ll Learn:

• How you may be under-using your digital calendar and leaving time on the table
• How to manage the multiple roles in your life (school, work, personal, etc.) in a digital system
• What goes on a calendar and what does not (and yes, it matters)
• 6 calendar strategies and functionalities you have to use
• 4 ways to make your calendar habit stick

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 5: Secrets of a good task management system

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!🤓

What if your college education could cost just $1,500? Seem too good to be true?

In this expert interview episode, I chat with Dave Peterson of Scholarship GPS about how he helped his own son do exactly that. Now, he now helps other families across the country find and win scholarships to pay for school without student loans.

What You’ll Learn:

✅The actual best time to start applying for scholarships

✅Common myths that stop students from applying (and how to bust them)

✅What students should include in their scholarship essays to stand out

✅Why strong students sometimes lose momentum in the process

✅How parents can meaningfully support without overstepping

Whether your child is in high school or already in college, or you’re a student yourself, this episode will give you a smarter approach to paying for education.

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗 Resources + Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Scholarship GPS Course: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree
• Your Personalized Scholarship List: Stop Guessing What Scholarships to Apply For, And Let Dave Do the Work For You
• The Scholarship GPS Podcast

Never stop learning.

About Dave Peterson

Dave is the Founder of Scholarship GPS,  an organization that guides students and their families on their scholarship journey to avoid student loan debt. Dave got into the world of scholarships by coaching his son to earn enough in scholarships that his entire college experience,  including tuition,  room,  board,  books,  and fees,  cost only $1500! Dave takes the lessons he learned by working with his son and helps families around the country find and earn scholarships.

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!🤓

Should you change jobs or change companies? And how do you protect your time at work without feeling guilty? In this Q&A episode, I answer two powerful questions submitted by listeners. 

The first question dives into a major career decision: whether to change jobs within your current company or look for new opportunities elsewhere. I share practical steps for making this decision, including how to assess your skills, talk to your manager, and prepare for a new role.

The second question is all about saying no at work —  without guilt. I share strategies for clear communication with your manager, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting your time and energy.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to decide if you should change jobs or change companies

✅ How to assess your skills for a new role

✅ How to communicate with your manager about job growth

✅ How to set boundaries and say no to additional work without guilt

✅ How to protect your time and energy while remaining professional

Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 26: Maintaining Work Motivation
• Episode 45: Are You Doing Too Much?
• Episode 53: Facing Time Management Reality and Setting Work Boundaries
• Episode 60: Handling Workplace Conflict
• Episode 63: How to Have a Productive Day
• Episode 73: How to Get Better at Things

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!🤓

Want to get better at something, but not sure how? Do you read more about it? Practice more? Ask someone for help? Close your eyes and wing it?

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share a two-pronged strategy for improving at anything, whether it’s a skill for school, a work task, or a personal goal.

You’ll learn why most people only use one side of the strategy (and stay stuck), and how you can use both sides to make faster, more reliable progress on whatever it is you want to get better at.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to get better at something using my 2-pronged approach

✅ The difference between “thinking about” a skill and actually practicing it 

✅ How to apply this two-pronged method to school, work, or personal goals

✅ Why most people only use one side of the strategy (and how not to be most people)

✅ Practical examples of using this strategy to learn something faster

• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Parents, go here)
• ⭐SchoolHabits University (Students, go here)

🔗🎙️Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned:

• Episode website (with transcript)
• Episode 64: How to Do Hard Things
• Episode 67: Why Critical Thinking Matters

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.