I’m excited to welcome Rachael from The Experienced Graduate to our cozy corner of the web. She is here to answer questions about college success and offer you free access to the upcoming Back To School Virtual Summit.
The virtual summit brings together more than 25 experts who share their best tips and strategies for academic success. They will cover topics on:
- Academic Skills
- Supporting Your Child
- Supporting Yourself
- Supporting Teens
Not only will you find valuable information to boost your own academic skills, but strategies to support your children in school as well. There is nothing better than learning how to do something alongside our kids!
To introduce the Back to School Summit I asked Rachael to share her experience and advice with us. She earned her undergraduate degree in 2.5 years and her graduate degree by age 22. This girl knows how to work efficiently and succeed in school!
Read on to learn more about Rachael, her academic story, mistakes she made in school, and advice she would love to have had during college.
Rachael, why are you passionate about helping students succeed?
Well, I’m so passionate about student success because it doesn’t take only the smartest students to get the A’s in school. I know that ANY student can do well in school if they could only find the right resources and support.
I learned this through my own personal experience. I really struggled in school growing up. In fact, I almost failed 5th grade!
I did SO bad that year, my fifth-grade teacher told my parents I needed to be held back one more year because if I had gone onto Middle School, I would fail miserably.
That was the last year I would ever let anyone call me a failure. I learned the right study skills, and how to learn the right way. I went on to being the top of my class the very next year. (and the year after that, and the year after that). I went on to graduate valedictorian of my high school class.
Now, I was not the smartest kid in the class, but I worked hard and I learned self-improvement in my studies. That is how I know YOU can do well too!
What was your biggest mistake as a student, and how would you do things differently now?
My BIGGEST mistake was focusing on that A instead of on the learning, especially in college. I worked too hard on getting the grade but didn’t focus on all the amazing things I wish I had learned.
So, in high school and in college, I would study, cram, and memorize information for a test, and then after getting an A on the test, I would completely brain dump ALLLLLLL the information I had learned. If I had to take the same test one week later, I would have failed it miserably.
Now, as an adult, I really regret not knowing more of the academics I had worked so hard for! That is why I highly emphasize real learning and knowledge over grades at any time!
Which part of the Back to School Summit will college students be most excited about?
Day 2 of the summit is my favorite because it is all about those academic skills students need in college!
It also happens to be the day our wonderful Jessica Shields is being featured as a Key Note speaker! On day 2, she will talk all about Time Management and how important it is to your studies and to your academic success.
Time management is a huge reason why so many students really struggle in school, which is why this interview is one you will NOT want to miss!!
On Day 2, we also talk about study skills, organization, preventing procrastination, and building leadership skills. You can sign up here for the Back to School Virtual Summit!
What piece of advice would you give today’s college student?
Make sure to find the right resources to help support you through your college years.
Many students can feel stuck, struggling with grades, and alone in trying to do better. I know I felt the same way! I felt like it was part of my learning to do it all on my own! But you do not have to do these college years alone! Make sure to find the right support, resources, and encouragement for those days when you need a little help.
You don’t need to stay stuck or feel alone! You can sign up for the Back to School Summit and get the resources to put you on the right track to start off this school year strong!! Sign up for your free ticket below.
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