Columns

The Study Dude—Memorization Should Be Playtime

Over the last two weeks, I showed you how to read a textbook and take notes, but this week we’re going to have fun. Yes, memorization is meant to be playtime, especially if you let your humor and imagination go wild. Of course, some memorization strategies are more enjoyable than others, but here is a… Read more »

Dear Barb—Teen on the Outs

Dear Barb: Hi, I am 16 years old and still living with my parents, but they are driving me crazy.  They won’t let me do anything.  My friends go out to concerts and stay out overnight and their parents don’t say anything to them.  I really want to move out and live on my own. … Read more »

The Study Dude—Note-Taking for Textbooks

You’ve just read a chapter of a 1000-page textbook, applying the system for reading textbooks I outlined last week.  You scheduled two days to read the chapter.  Now you’ve got three days to take notes on it and two days to memorize it, spending one week total on the chapter.  What note taking strategies will… Read more »

The Reading List—October, 2021

September was the beginning of a new school year and the start of fall; many students across Canada returned to in-person classes including University students.  However, I know many university students are still doing online classes—my brother is one of them.  Most of us are either busy studying ourselves, preparing children for in-person or online… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Sautéed Mushrooms

Fall activities are in full swing in our house.  Our kids are all into something, and life is busy again.  Our son is in hockey, our youngest is trying out ringette, and all three are in scouting.  Our oldest is still looking for a thing to try, and we are considering martial arts.  Classes are… Read more »

Music Review—Queen of Swords

Artist: Typhoid Rosie Album: Queen of Swords Typhoid Rosie, a high-energy, alt/punk rock band with pop hooks and indie grit, have just released their new album, Queen of Swords, an empowering and defiant rally cry of self-love, self-reliance, and independence. Frontwoman Rosie Rebel says of the new album, “While I have the world’s ear, I… Read more »

Seven Steps for Self-Reflection on Creating Your Happiest Life

To truly form habits that pave highways to our happiest life, we need self-reflection.  At least fifteen minutes a day should be spent on self-reflection.  But what do we reflect on specifically? Here is a formula for self-reflection guaranteed to develop ourselves professionally and personally. Step 1: Consider where our thoughts weren’t happy, focused, and… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Leftovers!

If you have children, this may sound familiar: “What’s for dinner?” “Leftovers.” “Gross!  No WAY!” And that’s when the fight starts.  I can relate to that feeling of despair when you look in the fridge and realize you forgot to get groceries for the meal you had planned because either a) you were working all… Read more »

The Study Dude—Reading Textbooks

You’ve got a 1000-page textbook staring you down.  You are on page one.  And you’ve got six months to finish it.  Where do you begin? Last week, I covered taking notes using a variety of systems.  This week, let’s focus on how to read an enormous textbook in a short period of time.  If you… Read more »