Entries by Steve Vogel

Looking Back Before Looking Ahead

As another school year comes to a close, it’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge making it to summer. Whether this year felt successful, challenging, or somewhere in between, you’ve made it through another academic season. Before completely shifting gears into summer mode, consider one simple question: What actually helped you succeed this year? Students […]

Learning Strategies: The Academic Short Game

I’ll admit it — I’m not much of a golfer! But one thing I’ve learned from golfers over the years is that the “short game” can make or break a round. You can hit a great drive off the tee, but if your putting and chipping struggle, your score will suffer. In many ways, academics […]

How full is the gas tank right now?

By early June, fatigue is real for many students. Even highly capable students can start operating on lower energy after months of deadlines, studying, and constant mental output. That doesn’t mean students are lazy or unmotivated — it means they’ve been carrying a long academic load. The key during this stretch is honesty. If your […]

Welcome to the High School Windstorm Month

Late May is often when the high school year starts to feel the heaviest. At the beginning of the semester, June can seem far away. But by May 22, the reality starts to settle in: final assignments are due, projects are wrapping up, tests are increasing, and teachers are trying to complete coursework before final […]

A Difficult Semester Does Not Have to Define the Next One

For many students, May feels like a reset. A new semester begins, routines shift, and there is a chance to move forward. But for some students, it can also feel heavy. Maybe the winter term did not go as planned. A failed course, disappointing grades, missed assignments, burnout, or simply the feeling of falling behind […]

A New Term for Some, a Final Stretch for Others

Early May creates an interesting split in the academic calendar. For many college and university students, the winter term is now behind you. Exams are done, and there’s a brief window to reset before a new rhythm begins — whether that’s a spring/summer course, work, or a mix of both. At the same time, high […]

Final Exams: Different Schedules, Same Need for a Plan

Exam period has its own rhythm — and no two schedules feel the same. Some students have exams stacked within a few days. Others have them spread out over one to two weeks. Both situations come with their own challenges, and neither is “easier” — just different. If your exams are close together, the pressure […]