Just Start!: A Practical Guide to Learning

By Meaghan Mcneill

Here is the part where you think I tell you how I will fix all your problems. Wrong! This is a part where I can help guide you and show how to implement strategies to take back and get a hold of your learning. You and only you have the greatness within to tap into that limitless potential. SCHOOL! Some of you might think stress, failure, please God let me pass… I mean seriously, I have been there I have lived through it and I made it out the other side. Now I am going to try and impart some wisdom I have learned over the years. This is a practical guide that you can follow for two weeks and the aim is that you pick up some quick wins and tips to come out on top. I want YOU to be standing on the top of the proverbial educational Olympian podium. You deserve that number one spot because it’s your life, your dreams and you are your own number one. So, go out there and get intentional – dream it and achieve it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press UK
• Release date: Dec 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781982282318

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 Meaghan McNeill.

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intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help

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ISBN: 978-1-9822-8230-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8232-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-8231-8 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date:   12/18/2020

Contents

Introduction

Part 1 Words You Need To Hear

Chapter 1 It’s Simple: Just Start

Chapter 2 Consistency Is Key

Chapter 3 No One Likes Running At The Start

Chapter 4 Real Work Can Now Begin—Audit

Chapter 5 Audit … Again

Chapter 6 The Power Of Vision

Chapter 7 Time Commitments

Part 2 Blood, Sweat, And Tears

Chapter 8 Guided Study Techniques

Chapter 9 Day 1: Cells

Chapter 10 Day 2: Recap And Carry On

Chapter 11 Day 3: No-Stakes Quizzes And The Forgetting Curve

Chapter 12 Day 4: Movement And Four-Squares

Chapter 13 Day 5: Digestion And Sometimes Feeling Defeated

Chapter 14 Day 6: Put Your Heart Into It

Chapter 15 Day 7: First Week Domination

Chapter 16 Commitment—What It Means To Me

Chapter 17 Day 8: Defence

Chapter 18 Day 9: Photosynthesis

Chapter 19 Day 10: Respiration

Chapter 20 Inspiration To Keep You Going

Chapter 21 Day 11: More Defence

Chapter 22 Building Habits

Chapter 23 What To Do When You Become Overwhelmed

Chapter 24 Time Commitments And Planning

Notes

Bibliography

Appendix 1: Visualize Your Week

Appendix 2: No-Stakes Quizzes Answers

About The Author

INTRODUCTION

I’ve noticed that a lot of students don’t have a sweet clue about how to study. I’ve been there too; everyone has been there. We think that studying means going into a room—not a quiet one most of the time either—and rereading books and notes. What is that going to do? I mean, if the upcoming exam is intended to test your reading ability, I’m sure you’d ace it, but we, as teachers, are not training expert readers or scribes. Stop rereading! Stop rewriting! Stop please!

It’s not your fault, though. You are blissfully unaware as you listen to the newest music release and cram as much as possible twelve hours before some of the most important exams of your life. It’s not your fault, but it is our mission to help you fix the situation. I use the word our and refer to the adult community and the education institutes that you put your trust in; and rightly so. Some would say we are superhuman.

It’s a well-known fact, however, that we educators are not given enough time to spread out the curriculum as well as arm you with all the study tools and teach you how to be productive warriors. We have, in my opinion, not by choice, grossly overlooked an essential part of teaching—teaching you how to study. I don’t remember a single teacher teaching me how to revise: What are good techniques? What doesn’t work according to cognitive scientists? Not even my favourite teachers, Madame Carpenter and Mr. Beatie, told me even one tip or trick I could use to retain information in my long-term memory. But why? Was it because they thought they were protecting me, trying to reduce stress by not overloading me with more information? No. Now, as a teacher myself, I realize it’s because of our own deadlines and impossible timeframes.

So, I’ve come up with a plan and a guide to help you. I’ve decided to share some wisdom with you to help you have a wonderful learning experience. I am writing this practical guide for you. As a student, you need this. It’s my mission to empower as many students as possible.

In my second year of university, I was at a crossroads and had to decide which courses to go into. Did I want to become a dietitian or a teacher? I had to do a lot of soul searching at twenty years old, and I felt a lot of pressure. I decided that I could maintain my passion about health and fitness, but as a teacher I could positively impact a wider, more vulnerable group of humans. Younger people are impressionable and need good role models in all aspects of their lives, so after a few weeks of contemplation, I decided teaching was my path. I’ve never looked back!

I love teaching. I am passionate about what I do, but I so desperately want to do more. I have been teaching for almost ten years now and have held several positions within my academy that have given me varying degrees of satisfaction. I have felt most fulfilled and challenged while being a pastoral leader of sixth form and coordinator of science. I have realized a common factor in both these roles; it is my unwavering desire and ability to help shape and mould students into the best possible versions of themselves. I often reflect on the why: Why did I go into teaching? That is simple, but it is not the same as most people’s whys. The curriculum and what I teach is far less important to me than the reason for teaching. I teach to help students develop confidence, skills, and resilience and to help them be successful, happy individuals. I put in countless, thankless hours in the hopes that I can make a difference and help my students. Everyone needs help, and everyone need guidance. You, as a member of our youth, our learners, need it most. You are the future, and I want to help build a better future.

I go into each September with new optimism, feeling privileged that I might be able to help another cohort of young adults. I have had many roles throughout my career thus far, and all of them have shown me that interactions provide the potential for growth. I can impart my mission and vision for a better, healthier world through education, and that has been unbelievably fulfilling.

I know this book is about you, but I also need to show you that I am committed to your success and not just here for fame and fortune. I need you to expect exceptional perseverance and commitment from me for you! Trust and know that I aim to help students—all students—learn and be the best version of themselves. My many roles within education qualify me to help you through this journey.

I have become exceptionally skilled in some areas, and I will pass along those skills to help you. I have learned organization and time management by being the primary liaison coordinator. I have learned compassion, empathy, sympathy, and the importance of communication as the pastoral leader of sixth form. I have learned curriculum development and the importance of leadership and diplomacy as the deputy coordinator of science and now the coordinator of science at a secondary school in outer London, England. I am not saying I know everything, but I am saying that I want to help you. So, if you want to learn how to learn, come along with me.

I am setting this book out as a practical guide to help you become a better student—not that you’re a bad student necessarily now, but this might show you something new you’ve not considered before.

This book is broken up into two parts. Part 1 goes through an audit