StudySkills Search

Susan Kruger Winter, M.Ed.

How to Study for a Math Test

October 8, 2023

When I was a student and teachers would say, “Study for your math test!” I would think, “How do I study for a math test?” I now realize that study is the wrong verb. You really need to ‘practice’ for a math test. You not only need to KNOW material for a math test. You…

Tips for Taking Notes in Class

September 17, 2023

Note-taking may be the quintessential study skill. Even people without a real concept of “study skills” know that students are supposed to take notes. Teachers like to say, “If I’m talking, you should be writing.” But how many students listen? Students struggle with note-taking because they are overwhelmed by the content covered in class. They…

Homework: Staying Focused to Get It Done Faster

September 4, 2023

Recently, a SOAR® subscriber asked for tips to help her daughter stay on-task with her homework. Just last night, a student in my Homework Action Group complained of the same problem. “I have a hard time staying focused on homework. It takes me forever to do it!” I remember, as a young student myself, wriggling…

What Is Your Superpower?

August 20, 2023

Superpowers are not just reserved for the Avengers™.  We all have at least one. You are probably “good” at a wide variety of things.  But, there is *something* that you are REALLY good at! Something you do better than 90% of the population.  That something is your superpower. Your superpower is something you can’t NOT…

Study Skills for College

August 6, 2023

Whether you teach students who are heading off to college in a few months or in five years, there are a few study skills that can dramatically improve their odds of success. How do I know? I’ve lived this story. If you have not heard it before, the short version of my story is that…

College and Career-Readiness for Special Education

July 13, 2023

“My students think they are ‘broken,’” lamented one special education teacher. “They don’t have dreams because they don’t think their dreams matter.” The truth is, our education system is not equipped to help any student explore their dreams and options beyond high school. But special education students have an even greater disadvantage; they don’t think…

Why Is Simplicity So Complicated?

July 9, 2023

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci We are naturally programmed to over-complicate matters. It actually takes effort to recognize simple solutions. In fact, most of the time I spend with clients is on the importance of keeping study and organizational strategies simple. I could tell you hundreds of stories, but one stands out, in particular. A few…

Student Organization: Why the SOAR® Binder Is Optimized for the Brain

July 4, 2023

I recently received an email from a mom, Beth R., concerned about organization for her middle school son. She believes in our streamlined system, but she’s concerned that her son won’t feel comfortable using our system. He won’t want to “stand out” amongst his peers. Beth’s concerns are fairly common for a student using the Binder…

The Learning Disability Circuit: How Learning Disabilities Work

June 4, 2023

The Learning Disability Circuit Video Transcription “Learning disability” is the term we use to describe a low power supply of brain chemicals in sections of the brain that process language or math. Common learning disabilities include: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, language processing disorders, and more. For example, imagine this string of lights represents the neuron wires…

A Mother’s Day Tribute

May 7, 2023

As Mother’s Day approaches and “spring fever” is settling in, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the significant roles that mothers (and fathers) play in homework. As a young student, I had my share of homework arguments with my mom. As an adult, I have become more and more appreciative of the…

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