Meristem Learning

Every time I get a call from an exasperated parent saying,
- "If he would just settle down!" or
- "She's never at the table when I check" or
- "Why are we still doing homework at 9pm?!"
there's one person I call.

Solange Garcia has been my go-to in this business of teaching students how to learn. Not only does she have a knack for getting children to focus, but she has work habits down to a science.

I'm amazed by her results each time, and the methods she employs are efficient - no rough up, no quarrel, no fight - yet the student can now sit, stay on task and successfully complete work in a reasonable amount of time.

Just as we've partnered to help parents (our private clients) in the past, and now we're bringing those strategies to you.

Join us for The Homework Habit workshop on Saturday to learn how to have peaceful, productive work/study sessions with your children with ease.

We're here for you - the invested, dedicated, involved parent!

Somewhere out there a student is struggling to find x.

Well, we found him at MeristemLearningdotcom

Most of my students over the past 10 years or so have been boys.

Many of them used to be A-students before, but then started to decline.

Their parents complain that they're lazy, distracted, too playful and simply don't know what's good for them.

In working with them though, I've discovered quite the opposite to be true (in most cases).

Although their penmanship leaves much to be desired 🥴 with the right motivation, boys can be very hardworking and focused. And if you listen, they'll tell you what's good for them.

Play is good for them. Winning motivates them. Mastery compels them.

But here's what usually happens:
- They excel in primary school where every day they learn something new and useful.
- They work hard for SEA because they want to win with their "first-choice" school as the prize.
- They keep pushing in form one (term one) because they want to make sure these new classmates know who's the alpha brain.

And then they settle. Because...
- "If I'm not the alpha brain, who am I?"
- "These topics are abstract and pointless. Why do I need this?"
- "And what am I working towards? A prize that is five years away? Nah dawg! Not here for the long game. Give me fast action...otherwise, wake me when I'm in form 5. I'll get serious then."

So they quietly dim their light, choosing instead to do the least - bare minimum - and reserve their best energy for sports, video games, girls and other extra curriculars that have more immediate results and more obvious "growth."

Some will even lose sleep over their craft or push their limits in the gym. Why?

Gains.
Quick wins.
Recognition.
Rewards.

Even growing out their hair can be a mark of achievement.
(Get it? Mark?) 😆

But seriously. As I pause here, think about it:

That defiant behaviour might not even be a cry for attention. It just might be an effort to win at somethinggg in this season.

If you want your son to shine again, challenge him.
That boy NEEDS to win.

💙 Ola Smith

The Exam Prep Workshop!!!

Whether you realise it or not, studying for exams is more than just reading and doing past papers.

Done correctly it is *one* powerful piece of the exam prep puzzle.

The catch is that it must be used as part of an overall system in order to turn reading into results.

This weekend I’ll be breaking down that system and showing you
🌟 the best way to revise for the best memory
🌟 the time management strategy to put in place before you can make the most of study sessions
🌟 a step-by-step approach to writing exams (P1 and P2) for greater speed and accuracy
and so much more.

In other words, we’re talking effective study skills for exams – specifically, CXC exams.

There are three workshops, so that we get deep and practical with each topic:
🧠 Revision and Memory
⏰ Time Management
✍️ Test Taking.

If you want to get set up for success before the burnout hits, sign up for any or all of the trainings.
(Earlybird savings available until Wednesday!) https://tinylink.net/01quh

I've been toying with this idea of a community for tutors for a while now and I could not be more pleased that I've finally done it!

During our first chat we simply connected and laid it all out there, and let me tell you: All the passion, challenges, fears and joys shared by everyone just solidified how common our experiences and how simple it can be to get support or give it.

And that's exactly what we're going to do!

I sincerely commend and celebrate all the tutors and coaches who are already a part. Your dedication to promoting holistic growth in your students/charges is encouraging.

I'm so excited to see what you do work even better for them and for you. The world needs you!

--

Our next meet up is tonight (Friday) and I'll be sharing a few secrets of the trade. New and aspiring private tutors are welcome too!

Message me for the Zoom link.

When I started tutoring, I was simply helping a younger student on a volunteer basis.

There was nothing scary about it. It grew with me as a part of me. It was just something I did, almost as a hobby.

So I didn’t really get it the first time I heard someone say, "Tutoring is scary."

Like, "What? No way! What is there to be afraid of?" And I went on like that each time.

Until the first university student reached out.

Then came the doubt.

Was I good enough to teach at that level? And how could I help someone with the very thing I struggled with previously? What if…

(At this point the world could come to an end and it would be my fault for being incompetent.) 🥴

But seriously, I really questioned my ability, and then came the real question: If not me, who?

Followed by: What did she see in me?

After honest examination, I said yes.
And she passed!
And I grew!

Sure, it was an adjustment, leaving my comfort zone of proven competence and venturing into new, challenging territory, but it was worth it.

I had been limiting myself in that safe space, but on the outside of that was greater confidence, new skills and more opportunities. 💁

So, each time you get a tutoring request and you consider whether you’re the one for the job, ask yourself:

👀 Why you?
👀 Why not you?
👀 If not you, who?

No matter what your specialty – be it a subject or a skill – you can help someone else to rise from where they are and closer to where they need to be.

Fears aside, take courage and launch out!

❣️

I have so much more and I’m eager to share some of my secrets, but I also want to hear from you. Join me on Sunday evening for a chat and LET’S TALK TUTORING!

It’s open to all private tutors and those thinking about it. Check the link in my bio .ml to get in the room.

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Getting your degree does not have to be a struggle.

A challenge, maybe, but not the kind that sucks the life out of you.

Underslept and overstressed is not the way.

I created ‘Master Your Major’ to help you manage your studies and get better results.

But this challenge is not just about getting higher grades. It’s about designing your degree based on the person you are and the way you learn.

With your personal study strategy in place, you can face each lecture, assignment and exam with confidence and ease. I can't wait to show you how!

Tap the link to save your seat. https://tinylink.net/VHwFT

This semester we're not playing catch up.
It's time to take the lead and DOMINATE YOUR DEGREE. 🌟

It's 2023 and already we are already busyyyy!

Last year was nice and all that - a lot of growth and new things as I pressed pause on study coaching and focused more on career guidance.

I must say, that was a great call. It's been so natural, no grind. While it took some courage 🥴 and I did feel that stretch, it was still so GOOD!

So fulfilling! So refreshing. I'm completely loving the experience and the results.

BUT.

As last semester's grades rolled in over the vacation, students and parents started to reach out. It seems that adjusting to campus life after such a long time online was tough. The grades are telling.

Naturally, my heart started crying out again for the students. I know the struggle all too well and I am COMPELLED to help.

So to my undergrads out there:
I see you. ❤️

I see you burdened under the workload.
I see you burning the midnight oil.
I see you lost and hiding in lectures,
Yet trying not to drop the ball.
I see you using different study methods.
I see you crying, feeling small.
I see you wondering about your major.
Maybe this was the wrong call?
I see you wishing you could do better.
I see you dreading going back on hall.
I see you thinking of how to fix it.
I see you, and I'm here for it all.

For starters:
📌 I'll be doing a short training on how to manage and master your major so you can get the grades you want without all the stress.

::: DM me if I should save you a seat. :::

It's time to shine. Let's goo! 🌟

EACH OF MY SEASONS TAUGHT ME SOMETHING.

🌱In high school I blossomed, and I learned to listen.
🪴In university I grew through the grind, and I learned to ask for help.
🎍In my job I grew up, and I learned about systems and structure.
🎋But in *my work* I grew potential, and I learned about purpose.

My path has not been conventional, but I've never been one to care for the norm.

I love my work and I enjoy my life. Of course there are other things I want, but if I had that without this, I wouldn't be happy.

✨To have a career that changes with me, that grows as I grow and employs all my gifts, knowledge and experience…

✨…where I can pour from myself without feeling drained and work with others on things we both care about.

✨…where my input is appreciated and I get to see the results of my work.

That's priceless. I couldn't ask for more.

My birthday wish would be for you to have that.

And it makes me so excited because I know it's possible. I am the evidence. 🎁

Seasons change. You change. Is there room for your gifts and growth in your career, or do you feel boxed in?

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK! So, naturally, I'm thinking. Thinking about where I am, how I got here and, moreso, how absolutely blessed and fulfilled I am.

💭I'm thinking about how much I enjoyed high school and how I thrived there...

💭Thinking about how frustrated I was in university, studying something I was supposed to be good at…
(The struggle was very real!) 🤯

💭Thinking about how I challenged the system and changed my major in my final semester just so I could keep my sanity and graduate...

💭Thinking about how stuck I felt every day at the job I was qualified for but had zero interest in...

💭Thinking about how I sought and studied and got the education I really wanted *after* my degree ...

💭Thinking about how I got the courage to leave my job (just before my soul died), without a plan or a penny...
(Not advisable, but yes to soul saving!) 😑

💭Thinking about how I decided to create a career that suited me instead of revising my resume to fit another job...

💭Thinking about how doors started opening once I committed fully to working in my gifting...

💭Thinking about the many lives I encountered and the mutual impact of each client I coached...

💭Thinking about the transformations and how their stories changed over time...

💭 Thinking about my own story - the one I thought I was writing - and how it's changing.

In hindsight, I see purpose in each of those seasons, and I’ll share more on that in my next post.

Until then, tell me: what have you learned from some of the seasons in your life? Let's chat. 👇🏾