The Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying

(Guest post by academic life coach Gretchen Wegner)

Are you tired about fighting with your teen about studying? Or, maybe you secretly worry that your student has never truly learned how to study? Alternatively, is your teen so bored or traumatized by school that they don’t study in the first place? As an academic life coach for teenagers, I used to think that if I just helped my overwhelmed clients organize & manage their study time better, they’d perform better at school and be ready for the rigor of college. However, no matter how many strategies I taught, they were still floundering on tests! Nothing seemed to work until I discovered a creative new way to talk about studying, which I’m calling The Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying. Since I’ve been using this approach, my clients have created lasting, powerful new study processes that result in higher confidence and vastly improved grades. I’ve also discovered that if adults change the way they talk about studying with students, their kids’ learning breakthrough is magnified. Think about it this way: what I fondly call the “S” word has become a dirty word to students. Everyone uses it so much that it’s lost any meaning. Conversations including “Have you studied?” and “I’m going to study.” can sound meaningful, but don’t get to the heart of the issue. “Study” doesn’t actually describe the actions that need to take place.   Families can reduce arguments and eliminate nagging when they better understand the issues:

• How will homework time be best spent?
• What actions should a student take to learn material?
• Is there a way to learn more in less time?
• How will a student know he or she if ready for a test?

Since I’ve been using this new system — which I call the Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying — my clients spend less time cramming and have more fun while studying.  Grades have skyrocketed, self confidence has surged, and family arguments have dwindled. As Elsa, a high school junior, says: “The way I used to study for tests was boring and repetitive. Gretchen has taught me different techniques, ways I’d never thought of before. Now studying takes about the same amount of time as it used to, but it feels easier, more effective, and more interesting.” All is not lost, however! There is a simple way parents can talk to teens about studying that raises grades, eliminates nagging & boosts self -confidence. Parents can inspire their students to study more effectively without nagging and fights. Watch this video to find out how parents can begin to ask better questions: Warmly, Gretchen http://youtu.be/tB0A__4maSc   As you can imagine, there’s so much more to share about how I invite you to a live webinar this Saturday, May 31. Parents and teens are invited. Together you’ll discover:

• 1 mind-numbing study habit that that all teens should stop doing immediately
• 3 mistakes parents & tutors make that set students up to struggle academically
• 5 fail-safe actions students & their parents can do THIS SUMMER to set themselves up for higher grades and fewer fights next school year.

Join me! P.S. If you can’t make it live on May 31, sign up anyway! I’ll send you the video recording immediately after, so there’s no way you’ll miss out. P.P.P.S. Teens & tweens are welcome to attend! The more parents and students can be on the same page about studying, the better. . .]]>