Adapting new tools
[Midterms are over for most of you, so I’m breaking from the exam theme for another success story.]
Reflecting on the success of another student, I recalled how not only did she gain entrance to a tough school at a top Canadian university, the learning went in two directions.
Carla was referred by student counselling as she was concerned her grades weren’t going to be good enough for admission to her targeted school. Course content was not the issue in our work. It was confidence that she would be able to get everything done, and get it done well.
We started with the issue of getting everything done. She tried the scheduling, reminders, and chunking tools of time management. She was using them, but they weren’t working for her. She’d forget to make an entry, or not have the scheduler with her at the library to see what to do next, and was checking into our sessions for what to do, how to make it work, what steps to take.
When something doesn’t work, you look outside the box. Where are things working? What can be adapted? What is completely new that might be worth adopting or adapting?
We discovered that Carla is strong in retaining visual images, and that she always has her iPad with her. Here is where Carla introduced me to the use of the iPad pencil. We adapted the schedulers and calendars and planners to the strong visual images she would input, trying out apps that fit her way of tracking, until we landed on one that does the job for her.
Confidence in her ability to do the work well grew. She simply got the work done through the tools we adapted with her.
Carla has her iPad with her at all times and doesn’t miss making entries, or checking where she is in her plan for the day. She is now using these tools at the school she was originally afraid she wouldn’t get into.
And I have integrated more iPad apps into the tools I pass on to other students–Thanks, Carla!
I’d like to hear your go-to tools for PC, Mac, or pen-and-paper–and I’ll share with one back. Check in with me at [email protected]
Hi Steve,
Long time listener, first-time caller here. Your blog post today was a great success story to share! So, thanks for sharing this story with your followers/long time listeners, and those who are just tuning in.
Going through post-secondary school not once but 3 times you tend to pick up on a few new tricks. Back when I studied, I would ask other friends or cohorts in my classes how they study best or are able to get their work done on time, so I can relate quite well to this post and am happy to share some of my tips and tricks I have used over the years as it relates to studying, scheduling, and using new tech. I will break them down into two categories; 1. Old School, 2. New School.
Old School:
1. Writing out notes over and over
a. simplifying with each pass, or creating drawings to help remember
b. condencing concepts
c. colour coding information
2. Flash Cards – continuous run-through of information (can be visual or text based)
3. Teach each other concepts – pretend you are the prof and your study group members are the class (visual and text)
a. everyone will pitch in to correct one another and teach each other concepts
b. use the whiteboard to write out memorized information and race your mates
4. tap into exam banks for previous exams – do it more than once but don’t memorize answers
5. Paper scheduler (pocket size to carry around with you) – we use to call these agendas in junior high and highschool days. Maybe they still do?
6. Calendar on the wall of your bedroom with highlighted deadlines and red ink for importants – don’t forget to cross off the days. I like the white board kind with dry erase markers.
7. To do / Task list on a whiteboard where you will see it everyday (bedroom, bathroom, etc.) – don’t forget to cross off the tasks as you complete them (it feels so good to see items being crossed off the list)
New School:
1. Microsoft One Note: (I still use this today for things)
a. You can create a notebook for each subjust or you can have different coloured tabs for each subject
b. You can record audio
c. you can draw
d. you can insert links or videos directly into your notes for added references to enhance understanding
e. There is a To do list, Reminder for later, add contacts, star things as important, look up definitions, set as a question, create
highlights, mark as critical, ideas you may have, add book references, add sources for articles, you can send direct to email, to do
priority 1 listing, schedule meeting, etc..
f. It is jam packed with features to help you learn, remember, and keep organized and it comes standard (I believe) with the office
suite one would get with their school account.
2. AudioNote
a. simplistic application that is a notepad and voice recorder to help you take notes and study in a digital manner
b. you can also draw in this
3. Digital flash cards/testing websites
a. there are an abundant of websites that allow you to create digital flash cards to help you study as well as share with your friends
b. you can create your own exams online and then take the test (usually just T/F or multiple choice)
4. Google Suite
a. some schools are hooked directly up with Google as their email platform and offers an abundance of applications and tools to help
b. gmail has task scheduling which integrates with all devices (laptops, tablets (ie. ipads), mobile phones)
c. you can set reminders in google calendar
d. Googel docs, sheets, presentations, and more
5. Apple equivalent of Google Suite products – same as above (calendar, reminders, task scheduler, etc.)
6. SimpleNote and equivalents
7. Asana – Task coordination and workload sharing
8. Basecamp -Task coordination and workload sharing
The list goes on as there is an endless amount of possibilities on the digital side of things. The best way to find what works best for you is to find all the free ones, take them for a test drive, and see what works. You can always invest in something more fully featured once you get a handle of what works for you best.
The last pro-tip I have that worked for me was to set deadlines ahead of when they were actually due. This allowed me to complete the task early and have plenty of time to review and make changes to my work if needed. Additionally, it helped manage stress loads as I didn’t have to cram last minute or do any over nighters to get things completed.
Hope everyone finds this information helpful!