June 3, 2024 • 26 mins
Can a minute a day really change your teen's academic future? Join us on "Challenge your Mind, Change the World" as we unveil the game-changing concept of the 1% shift. This episode is all about the transformative power of small, consistent changes in teenagers' study habits. We explore how micro-adjustments, such as extending study sessions by a mere 36 seconds daily, can lead to monumental progress over time. We'll show you that consistency trumps intensity and how these tiny, manageable steps can foster sustainable success and build unstoppable momentum.
Learn practical strategies for implementing the 1% shift in your teen's study routine. From adding just one minute to their study time each day to organizing notes with color coding and enhancing focus using the STAR method, we discuss how these small improvements can snowball into significant academic benefits. We'll emphasize the importance of tracking progress, celebrating small wins, setting mini goals, and staying consistent even on low-motivation days. The idea is to make the path to improvement both achievable and rewarding, highlighting that small steps can lead to big results.
Finally, we shift our focus to parents, offering actionable advice on how they can support their teenagers in this journey. By championing small, consistent changes, parents can help unlock their teen's full potential and transform their academic experiences. We also introduce the Essay Clinic, a digital course designed to teach essay writing in bite-sized, manageable steps, reinforcing our 1% philosophy. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to help more students challenge their minds and change the world. Remember, every small shift counts towards monumental progress.
This podcast discusses general principles of habit formation and self-improvement. While these concepts are widely recognized and utilized across various disciplines, they are also detailed in James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits,' which we highly recommend for further reading.
If you want to learn more about how you can apply the 1% shift in your child's English study, check out The Essay Clinic and the STAR study framework which comes as a free masterclass with The Essay Clinic.
If you enjoyed today's episode, please take the time to rate our podcast. Your rating means the world to us and it allows us to continue to share and grow our message of support to other fabulous humans out there!
For more free resources, check out my guide to the 5 secret habits of teens who succeed. Jam packed with advice, tips and strategies. Yours free!
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Or visit our website: www.classicliteratureteacher.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Challenge your Mind, change the World the
podcast where we explorepowerful strategies to enhance
your thinking, writing andoverall academic performance.
I'm Francesca and I am thrilledto have you with me today.
Welcome to all of our newparents who are joining us for
the first time, and welcome toall of my other friends who are
(00:22):
here today.
It's so good to spend this nexthalf an hour with you all.
If you're new to the podcast,in each episode, we delve into
the techniques and the tips thatcan help you become a more
critical thinker, as well ashelping our children, our
teenagers, become better writersand, ultimately, more
successful in school and in life.
(00:43):
Because it's not all about theacademic achievement.
It's about the holistic supportthat we give our children, and
so, whether you're looking toimprove and help your child with
their study habits, or tosharpen their writing skills, or
to broaden their understandingof the world, you're in the
right place, so welcome.
Today we're going to discuss aconcept that can really
(01:04):
revolutionize our children'sstudy habits with minimal effort
.
I'm talking about the power ofa one percent shift.
This idea is all about makingsmall, consistent improvements
each day that can lead tosignificant long-term results.
I want you to imagine what lifewould be like if our students
(01:26):
could transform their academicperformance just by making tiny
changes in how they approachtheir studies.
Sounds intriguing, right?
Well, in this episode we'llbreak down what the 1% shift is,
why it works so effectively andhow you can start applying it
with your teenagers into theirdaily routines.
(01:48):
Plus, we'll share how you canleverage resources that I have
got to show you to maximizethese small improvements and to
achieve exceptional results inour teenagers' writing and in
their studies.
All right, so let's kick thingsoff by diving into the concept
of the 1% shift.
You might be wondering whatexactly do I mean by a 1% shift?
(02:12):
Well, it's a simple, yetincredibly powerful idea.
The 1% shift is all aboutmaking small, incremental
improvements in our habits androutines every day.
These tiny changes might seeminsignificant at first, but over
time, they can lead to massiveresults.
(02:33):
The key to understanding the 1%shift is the principle of
compounding improvements.
Right Compounding is a conceptoften used in finance to
describe how investments growover time due to the interest
earned on both the initialprinciple and the accumulated
interest.
However, this principle isn'tlimited to just finance.
(02:56):
It applies to our habits andbehaviors as well.
Imagine improving your studyhabits by just 1% every day.
On the first day the changemight be so small that it's
barely noticeable, and that'sokay.
But as you continue to makethese small improvements, they
start to add up.
(03:16):
By the end of the first monthyou will have improved by about.
Get ready for this.
30%, three zero 30% in just onemonth.
Keep going and by the end ofthe year you will be 37 times
better than when you started.
That's incredible.
So let's put this intoperspective of how this can
(03:38):
apply to our teenagers.
Let's say they currently studyfor one hour each day.
A 1% improvement means addingjust 36 seconds to their study
time on the first day.
The next day, you add another1% to that slightly longer study
session.
It's a small, manageableincrease.
(04:01):
But time, this approachsignificantly extends their
study sessions without feelingoverwhelming.
Isn't that cool.
The idea of small, continuousimprovements is powerful because
it's sustainable, right?
It's not about making huge,drastic changes that are hard to
(04:21):
maintain.
Instead, it's about making tinyadjustments that are easy to
stick with.
Over time, these small changesbuild up, leading to substantial
progress.
It is totally amazing andlife-changing.
Why does this work so well?
Well, it's because the smallwins build momentum.
(04:44):
Each little success gives you aboost of confidence and
motivation to keep going.
Plus, when changes are smalland manageable, you're less
likely to feel overwhelmed andmore likely to stick with them.
I want to shift gears slightlyand talk about the importance of
consistency over intensity andhow small, regular improvements
(05:07):
can lead to sustainable progress, because nothing is going to
work if it's not sustainable.
So we need to ensure thatwhatever we are implementing in
our teenagers' study routinescan take them through for the
long run.
When we're trying to get betterat something, it's tempting to
think we need to make big,dramatic changes.
(05:27):
We have that desire for thatinstant transformation.
Maybe you've tried to overhaulyour entire study routine in one
go in the past, when you werestudying yourself, only to find
it too overwhelming to maintain,and so how do we expect our
teenagers to?
This is where the idea ofconsistency over intensity comes
(05:48):
into play.
Small, regular improvements areoften more sustainable and
effective than large andfrequent changes.
When you focus on making tinyadjustments consistently, you're
more likely to stick with them,turning those really small
changes into long-lasting habits.
(06:10):
Let's talk about some practicalexamples to show you what I mean
of 1% improvements in ourteens' study habits.
How could it look?
Well, let's start with a fewextra minutes, studying for a
few extra minutes.
Instead of trying to add anextra hour to our teenager's
study time or encouraging themto add an extra hour, start by
(06:31):
adding just a few minutes.
If your teenager normallystudies for 30 minutes, try
studying for 31 minutes todayand then tomorrow add another
minute, and then this gradualincrease is much easier to
manage and sustain.
The second way that we cansupport our teens by starting to
make these small incrementalhabits is organizing their notes
(06:54):
better.
So encourage them to take a fewminutes each day to organize
their notes more effectively.
Maybe they spend a minute colorcoding their notes or creating
a quick summary of what they'velearned, and then, over time,
these small changes can greatlyimprove their ability to review
and to recall information.
(07:15):
Another example I'll share withyou is active listening.
Now, this one is kind ofrevolutionary in a way, and I
used to call it playing teacherswhen I was studying, when I was
a teenager at school, and sowhat I would do is, instead of
passively reading through mytextbooks, I would ask myself
questions about the content, orI would try to explain a concept
(07:37):
in my own words to an imaginaryclass, as if I was teaching it
for the first time, and thesesmall steps really can enhance
(07:58):
your understanding and retentionof the information.
The fourth way that you canstart to encourage your teen to
implement these changes byimproving focus.
If your teenager finds it hardto stay focused, encourage them
to start by improving theirconcentration for just one
additional minute each day.
They could use techniques likemy star method, where they focus
(08:23):
intensely for a short periodand then take a break and then
gradually increase the focustime as they build their
concentration skills.
These small, regularimprovements might not seem like
much on their own, but overtime they build up to
significant progress.
The key is to make thesechanges consistent.
It's not about making a hugeleap all at once.
(08:46):
It's about taking small,manageable steps that our
teenagers can stick with overthe long term, and how they do
that is through consistency.
Consistency creates a snowballeffect.
Each small improvement buildson the previous one, creating
momentum and making it easier tocontinue improving.
This approach reduces the riskof burnout and it also keeps our
(09:11):
teenagers motivated, becausethey can see and they can feel
the progress that they're making.
And that's the whole point.
Right, we need to be able toensure that what we're doing is
not a waste of time, and the waywe measure that is by seeing it
firsthand that it is working.
One of the most powerfulaspects of the 1% shift is how
it builds momentum.
Each small success you achievegives you a boost of confidence
(09:35):
and motivation.
It's like a snowball effect.
As you continue to make teeny,tiny improvements, you start to
see and feel the progress, whichin turn, encourages you to keep
going.
That's human nature.
That's how we all function.
Let's break this down a bit,though.
When you achieve a small goal,no matter how minor it may seem,
it creates a sense ofaccomplishment.
(09:56):
This feeling of successreleases a dopamine in your
brain, a neurotransmitterassociated with pleasure and
motivation, and this not onlymakes you feel good, but also
reinforces the behavior, makingyou more likely to repeat it.
For example, if you set a goalto study for one extra minute a
day and you achieve it, you'llfeel a sense of pride.
(10:16):
This small win boosts yourconfidence and makes you more
likely to add another minute thenext day.
As these small victoriesaccumulate, they build a strong
foundation of confidence.
Momentum is powerful because itreduces the effort needed to
maintain progress.
When you have momentum, tasksfeel easier and you're more
motivated to tackle challenges.
(10:37):
This is why small dailyimprovements are so effective.
They create a positive feedbackloop that keeps you moving
forward.
I've got four ways that you canteach your teenager to build and
maintain momentum with theirstudy habits.
Number one is encourage them totrack their progress.
They can keep a journal or usean app to track their daily
(11:00):
improvements, because seeingtheir progress over time can be
incredibly motivating and ithelps them visualize how far
they've come.
The second way is celebrate thesmall wins.
Taking time to acknowledge andcelebrate your teenager's
achievements, no matter howsmall, can really reinforce
(11:21):
positive behavior and keeps themmotivated.
I love celebrating the smallwins.
I actually love celebrating thesmall wins more than I like
celebrating the big wins,because there's a lot of time
that lapses between big wins,but when you're celebrating
small wins, it really doesencourage you and keep the
momentum high, keep the energyand the vibe high.
It's great.
(11:41):
Third way that we can encourageour teenagers is by setting mini
goals.
Breaking down their largergoals into smaller, manageable
tasks means that each time theycomplete a mini goal, they build
momentum and they buildconfidence and that kind of ties
in hand in hand with theacknowledging the small wins.
Right, it's the tiny, tiny,micro level of success that
(12:05):
we're looking for here, becauseit compounds.
And then number four is stayconsistent.
So consistency is the key tomaintaining momentum.
As we all know, even on dayswhen our teenagers don't feel
like studying, making a smalleffort, even just a couple of
minutes, a few minutes in theday, can keep the momentum going
(12:26):
.
Like going to the gym.
You know, that's anotherexample.
As an adult, you don't reallyfeel like going to the gym on
some days, but if you just putyourself in the car and say,
right, I'm only going to go fora couple of minutes, I'll go on
the treadmill and then I'llleave again.
By the time you've got your gymgear on, you're there, you're
in the workout area, you're onthe treadmill, the music's
pumping, it doesn't feel too bad, does it?
So it's the ability just tokeep consistent and you'll get
(12:55):
there.
Remember, the journey toimprovement doesn't have to be
daunting.
By focusing on making small,consistent changes and
celebrating our teenagers'success, they will build
momentum that hauls them forward, and each tiny step they take
is a step closer to their biggergoals.
Now let's focus on how making 1%improvements in a teenager's
(13:15):
efficiency can enhance theirstudy habits, which in turn will
lead to better comprehensionand retention.
Efficiency is all about makingthe most of your time and
resources.
That's how we would defineefficiency.
So by finding ways to be just1% more efficient each day, you
can significantly boost yourproductivity without feeling
(13:37):
overwhelmed, and so can ourteenagers with their study
habits.
So here are some practical tipsfor making these small,
impactful changes to their studyhabits.
And you guessed it it I've gotanother four for you.
So the first one is encourageyour teens with different study
methods to find what works bestfor them.
Techniques like the STAR method, which is my own method, which
(14:00):
I have developed, is where yousummarize and then you test
yourself and then you analyzeand then you reflect.
It's a four-part system that isset to timing and it's a really
good way to get a short, sharpstudy session in for your
subject, and it's something thatI offer with the Essay Clinic.
I do a whole masterclass on it.
So finding a study method likethe STAR method can really help
(14:25):
maintain focus and preventburnout.
And with the STAR study methodI also incorporate active recall
into the study session and thatreally helps with enhancing the
retention.
The second way that we can helpour teenagers enhance their
study habits by using the 1%shift is improving time
management.
We can encourage our teenagersto use a planner or a digital
(14:48):
app to organise their studyschedule.
That way, they can prioritisetheir tasks and break them down
into smaller, manageable chunksand allocate specific time
blocks for each task and thenstick to them.
This can help them stay ontrack and make the most of their
study time.
Help them stay on track andmake the most of their study
(15:09):
time.
Third way is to optimize theirstudy environment, and I love
this one.
I always have candles at homethat I love to light when I'm
writing and some very soothingmusic on in the background, and
so we can do the same withhelping our teenagers by
creating a study space thatminimizes distractions and
maximizes productivity.
Ensure that their workspace iswell lit, they've got a good
(15:31):
lamp, it's quiet and it'sorganized, and small changes
like decluttering their desk orusing noise-canceling headphones
can make a huge difference intheir ability to focus.
And the fourth way that we canencourage these study habits is
by setting specific goalsInstead of vague goals like you
need to study more.
(15:51):
Set clear, achievableobjectives with your teenager
for each study session.
So, for example, they could aimto read one chapter of a
textbook, or complete a setnumber of practice problems, or
write a draft of an essay, andso by having specific goals that
they can feed back to you willhelp them stay focused and
(16:13):
measure their progress.
Implementing these 1%improvements in our teenager
study habits can lead to severalbenefits.
It can lead to enhancedcomprehension.
By studying more effectively,they can deepen their
understanding of the material.
Active learning techniques andfocused study sessions enables
them to engage more deeply withthe content, making it easier to
(16:36):
grasp complex concepts.
Efficient study techniques canhelp them retain information for
longer.
Methods like spaced repetitionthat we talked about, where they
review material at increasingintervals, really reinforces
their memory and makes it lesslikely that they'll forget what
they've learned.
It also helps with reducingstress.
(16:56):
Better time management andorganized study habits can
reduce the stress and anxietyoften associated with studying.
When they know exactly whatthey need to do and have a clear
plan for how to do it, studyingcan become far less daunting,
and it also means that there'sgreater productivity.
Those small 1% improvementsmeans that our teenagers can
(17:17):
accomplish more in less time.
Remember the goal is not tooverhaul our teenager's entire
study routine overnight.
Instead, it's focusing onmaking small, consistent
improvements Draw out newtechniques like the STAR method,
adjust their schedules or helpour teenagers to adjust their
schedules and to optimize theirenvironment.
(17:38):
One step at a time, these 1%changes can lead to significant
gains in their overallefficiency and academic
performance, which, at the endof the day, is one of the
measurable KPIs for ourteenagers.
Isn't it being at school, thoseend of semester exams or tests
is what they are most worriedabout.
(18:00):
To start building these habits,we have to focus on one small
change at a time.
We need to be consistent,patient and mindful of our
progress and our teenagers'progress, and we want to be
encouraging our teenagers to usetools like habit trackers or
reminders to keep them on trackand celebrate these small
victories and understand thatbuilding habits is a gradual
(18:23):
process and I'll say that overand over again it's not going to
happen overnight.
We can also give them resourcesthat can help them implement
these 1% shifts effectively, andone that I teach with my
students and I have beenteaching for many years is what
I teach at the Essay Clinic, andthe Essay Clinic is a
comprehensive digital coursedesigned to teach the basics of
(18:45):
writing a literary responseessay.
So we are applying theseprinciples of the 1% shift that
we've talked about today inEnglish literature, you know,
because English is one of thecore subjects that your teenager
will have to study at highschool and it will take them all
the way through to universityentrance and beyond.
(19:05):
So understanding how tocommunicate and how to
effectively respond to literarytexts is a skill that needs to
be taught.
So the Essay Clinic is perfectfor students who struggle with
essay writing or feel likethey're no good at it, whether
they're confused by literaryterminology or haven't quite
understood the previous writinginstructions by their teacher in
(19:27):
class.
The Essay Clinic offers ado-it-yourself, at-your-own-pace
approach to mastering essaywriting.
So this great example of how wecan use the 1% shift, because
the course breaks down theprocess of writing a literary
response essay into manageable,easy-to-understand segments and
each lesson is focused onspecific aspects of essay
writing, you know.
So that's small, incrementalsteps at a time, from
(19:51):
understanding literaryterminology to crafting a strong
thesis statement andstructuring their argument
effectively.
It also gives practicalexercises that allow students to
apply what they've learned.
So it's that test and recall,that retention that we talked
about earlier in the episode.
So these exercises are designedto help our teenagers make
small, incremental improvementsto their writing, one step at a
(20:12):
time.
And also because it's a digitalcourse, they can learn at their
own pace or on their ownschedule, and this flexibility
ensures that they can make theconsistent progress without
feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
It's about building it into aschedule and into a study
routine that we mentioned.
So by following the course andapplying the lessons, our
(20:33):
teenagers can make thoseessential 1% improvements that
lead to big results.
Let's see some examples, somereal life examples of how
teenagers have applied the 1%shift.
And because I'm an Englishliterature teacher, I will give
you English literature examples.
And I've changed the names ofthese students to protect their
privacy.
So I'm going to call thestudent Jamie to protect their
(20:54):
name.
And Jamie is a high schoolsophomore who struggled with
literary terminology.
Jamie often felt lost when itcame to analysing texts and
writing essays.
And then, after enrolling inthe essay clinic, jamie followed
the course's clear andcomprehensive lessons on
literary terms.
By completing the practicalexercises, jamie gradually built
(21:15):
a strong understanding of thekey concepts.
So this 1% improvement each dayhelped Jamie become more
confident in structuring essaysOver the next few months.
These small steps led tosignificant progress.
He's and Jamie's essay gradesimproved dramatically.
Another example I'll give you isTaylor, a high school senior
(21:37):
balancing a busy schedule.
Taylor appreciated theflexibility of the essay
clinic's digital format, whichallowed learning at her own pace
.
By spending a few minutes eachday on the course, taylor
gradually improved her writingskills.
The practical exercises helpedTaylor apply what she learned
immediately, reinforcing newskills and building confidence.
(21:58):
As a result, taylor felt moreprepared for college-level
writing.
Amazing well done, taylor.
And saw a noticeableimprovement in her essay scores.
Yay.
So these success storieshighlight the power of making
small, consistent improvementswith the help of the SA Clinic.
Whether it's overcomingterminology confusion, building
(22:19):
the SA Structure's skills ortaking advantage of flexible
learning, the 1% shift can leadto remarkable results over time.
If you're inspired by thesestories and want to see similar
improvements in your ownacademic journey, consider
signing up for the Essay Clinic.
With its clear lessons,practical exercises and flexible
(22:40):
format, you can start makingthose small changes that add up
to huge success.
I will put the link in the shownotes and you can check it out.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday your commitment to helping
your teenagers improve theirstudy habits and writing skills
is truly inspiring.
I am so proud of you all andthe commitment that you are
making to helping your childrenand the commitment as parents we
(23:03):
all make to wanting the bestfor our children.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please consider subscribing to
our podcast, leaving a reviewand sharing it with your friends
.
Your support helps me reachmore students like your teenager
who are eager to challengetheir minds and change the world
.
Remember, big results come fromsmall, consistent changes.
(23:25):
By focusing on making tinyimprovements each day, our
teenagers can achieve theirgoals and unlock their full
potential.
Our teenagers can achieve theirgoals and unlock their full
potential.
Help your teenagers to startimplementing those 1% shifts in
their study routine and watchhow they transform their
academic journey.
Until next time, my friends,keep challenging your mind and
(23:46):
changing the world 1% at a time.
I'm Francesca and this has beenChallenge your Mind, change the
World.
Welcome to Challenge your Mind, change the World the
podcast where we explorepowerful strategies to enhance
your thinking, writing andoverall academic performance.
I'm Francesca and I am thrilledto have you with me today.
Welcome to all of our newparents who are joining us for
the first time, and welcome toall of my other friends who are
(00:22):
here today.
It's so good to spend this nexthalf an hour with you all.
If you're new to the podcast,in each episode, we delve into
the techniques and the tips thatcan help you become a more
critical thinker, as well ashelping our children, our
teenagers, become better writersand, ultimately, more
successful in school and in life.
(00:43):
Because it's not all about theacademic achievement.
It's about the holistic supportthat we give our children, and
so, whether you're looking toimprove and help your child with
their study habits, or tosharpen their writing skills, or
to broaden their understandingof the world, you're in the
right place, so welcome.
Today we're going to discuss aconcept that can really
(01:04):
revolutionize our children'sstudy habits with minimal effort
.
I'm talking about the power ofa one percent shift.
This idea is all about makingsmall, consistent improvements
each day that can lead tosignificant long-term results.
I want you to imagine what lifewould be like if our students
(01:26):
could transform their academicperformance just by making tiny
changes in how they approachtheir studies.
Sounds intriguing, right?
Well, in this episode we'llbreak down what the 1% shift is,
why it works so effectively andhow you can start applying it
with your teenagers into theirdaily routines.
(01:48):
Plus, we'll share how you canleverage resources that I have
got to show you to maximizethese small improvements and to
achieve exceptional results inour teenagers' writing and in
their studies.
All right, so let's kick thingsoff by diving into the concept
of the 1% shift.
You might be wondering whatexactly do I mean by a 1% shift?
(02:12):
Well, it's a simple, yetincredibly powerful idea.
The 1% shift is all aboutmaking small, incremental
improvements in our habits androutines every day.
These tiny changes might seeminsignificant at first, but over
time, they can lead to massiveresults.
(02:33):
The key to understanding the 1%shift is the principle of
compounding improvements.
Right Compounding is a conceptoften used in finance to
describe how investments growover time due to the interest
earned on both the initialprinciple and the accumulated
interest.
However, this principle isn'tlimited to just finance.
(02:56):
It applies to our habits andbehaviors as well.
Imagine improving your studyhabits by just 1% every day.
On the first day the changemight be so small that it's
barely noticeable, and that'sokay.
But as you continue to makethese small improvements, they
start to add up.
(03:16):
By the end of the first monthyou will have improved by about.
Get ready for this.
30%, three zero 30% in just onemonth.
Keep going and by the end ofthe year you will be 37 times
better than when you started.
That's incredible.
So let's put this intoperspective of how this can
(03:38):
apply to our teenagers.
Let's say they currently studyfor one hour each day.
A 1% improvement means addingjust 36 seconds to their study
time on the first day.
The next day, you add another1% to that slightly longer study
session.
It's a small, manageableincrease.
(04:01):
But time, this approachsignificantly extends their
study sessions without feelingoverwhelming.
Isn't that cool.
The idea of small, continuousimprovements is powerful because
it's sustainable, right?
It's not about making huge,drastic changes that are hard to
(04:21):
maintain.
Instead, it's about making tinyadjustments that are easy to
stick with.
Over time, these small changesbuild up, leading to substantial
progress.
It is totally amazing andlife-changing.
Why does this work so well?
Well, it's because the smallwins build momentum.
(04:44):
Each little success gives you aboost of confidence and
motivation to keep going.
Plus, when changes are smalland manageable, you're less
likely to feel overwhelmed andmore likely to stick with them.
I want to shift gears slightlyand talk about the importance of
consistency over intensity andhow small, regular improvements
(05:07):
can lead to sustainable progress, because nothing is going to
work if it's not sustainable.
So we need to ensure thatwhatever we are implementing in
our teenagers' study routinescan take them through for the
long run.
When we're trying to get betterat something, it's tempting to
think we need to make big,dramatic changes.
(05:27):
We have that desire for thatinstant transformation.
Maybe you've tried to overhaulyour entire study routine in one
go in the past, when you werestudying yourself, only to find
it too overwhelming to maintain,and so how do we expect our
teenagers to?
This is where the idea ofconsistency over intensity comes
(05:48):
into play.
Small, regular improvements areoften more sustainable and
effective than large andfrequent changes.
When you focus on making tinyadjustments consistently, you're
more likely to stick with them,turning those really small
changes into long-lasting habits.
(06:10):
Let's talk about some practicalexamples to show you what I mean
of 1% improvements in ourteens' study habits.
How could it look?
Well, let's start with a fewextra minutes, studying for a
few extra minutes.
Instead of trying to add anextra hour to our teenager's
study time or encouraging themto add an extra hour, start by
(06:31):
adding just a few minutes.
If your teenager normallystudies for 30 minutes, try
studying for 31 minutes todayand then tomorrow add another
minute, and then this gradualincrease is much easier to
manage and sustain.
The second way that we cansupport our teens by starting to
make these small incrementalhabits is organizing their notes
(06:54):
better.
So encourage them to take a fewminutes each day to organize
their notes more effectively.
Maybe they spend a minute colorcoding their notes or creating
a quick summary of what they'velearned, and then, over time,
these small changes can greatlyimprove their ability to review
and to recall information.
(07:15):
Another example I'll share withyou is active listening.
Now, this one is kind ofrevolutionary in a way, and I
used to call it playing teacherswhen I was studying, when I was
a teenager at school, and sowhat I would do is, instead of
passively reading through mytextbooks, I would ask myself
questions about the content, orI would try to explain a concept
(07:37):
in my own words to an imaginaryclass, as if I was teaching it
for the first time, and thesesmall steps really can enhance
(07:58):
your understanding and retentionof the information.
The fourth way that you canstart to encourage your teen to
implement these changes byimproving focus.
If your teenager finds it hardto stay focused, encourage them
to start by improving theirconcentration for just one
additional minute each day.
They could use techniques likemy star method, where they focus
(08:23):
intensely for a short periodand then take a break and then
gradually increase the focustime as they build their
concentration skills.
These small, regularimprovements might not seem like
much on their own, but overtime they build up to
significant progress.
The key is to make thesechanges consistent.
It's not about making a hugeleap all at once.
(08:46):
It's about taking small,manageable steps that our
teenagers can stick with overthe long term, and how they do
that is through consistency.
Consistency creates a snowballeffect.
Each small improvement buildson the previous one, creating
momentum and making it easier tocontinue improving.
This approach reduces the riskof burnout and it also keeps our
(09:11):
teenagers motivated, becausethey can see and they can feel
the progress that they're making.
And that's the whole point.
Right, we need to be able toensure that what we're doing is
not a waste of time, and the waywe measure that is by seeing it
firsthand that it is working.
One of the most powerfulaspects of the 1% shift is how
it builds momentum.
Each small success you achievegives you a boost of confidence
(09:35):
and motivation.
It's like a snowball effect.
As you continue to make teeny,tiny improvements, you start to
see and feel the progress, whichin turn, encourages you to keep
going.
That's human nature.
That's how we all function.
Let's break this down a bit,though.
When you achieve a small goal,no matter how minor it may seem,
it creates a sense ofaccomplishment.
(09:56):
This feeling of successreleases a dopamine in your
brain, a neurotransmitterassociated with pleasure and
motivation, and this not onlymakes you feel good, but also
reinforces the behavior, makingyou more likely to repeat it.
For example, if you set a goalto study for one extra minute a
day and you achieve it, you'llfeel a sense of pride.
(10:16):
This small win boosts yourconfidence and makes you more
likely to add another minute thenext day.
As these small victoriesaccumulate, they build a strong
foundation of confidence.
Momentum is powerful because itreduces the effort needed to
maintain progress.
When you have momentum, tasksfeel easier and you're more
motivated to tackle challenges.
(10:37):
This is why small dailyimprovements are so effective.
They create a positive feedbackloop that keeps you moving
forward.
I've got four ways that you canteach your teenager to build and
maintain momentum with theirstudy habits.
Number one is encourage them totrack their progress.
They can keep a journal or usean app to track their daily
(11:00):
improvements, because seeingtheir progress over time can be
incredibly motivating and ithelps them visualize how far
they've come.
The second way is celebrate thesmall wins.
Taking time to acknowledge andcelebrate your teenager's
achievements, no matter howsmall, can really reinforce
(11:21):
positive behavior and keeps themmotivated.
I love celebrating the smallwins.
I actually love celebrating thesmall wins more than I like
celebrating the big wins,because there's a lot of time
that lapses between big wins,but when you're celebrating
small wins, it really doesencourage you and keep the
momentum high, keep the energyand the vibe high.
It's great.
(11:41):
Third way that we can encourageour teenagers is by setting mini
goals.
Breaking down their largergoals into smaller, manageable
tasks means that each time theycomplete a mini goal, they build
momentum and they buildconfidence and that kind of ties
in hand in hand with theacknowledging the small wins.
Right, it's the tiny, tiny,micro level of success that
(12:05):
we're looking for here, becauseit compounds.
And then number four is stayconsistent.
So consistency is the key tomaintaining momentum.
As we all know, even on dayswhen our teenagers don't feel
like studying, making a smalleffort, even just a couple of
minutes, a few minutes in theday, can keep the momentum going
(12:26):
.
Like going to the gym.
You know, that's anotherexample.
As an adult, you don't reallyfeel like going to the gym on
some days, but if you just putyourself in the car and say,
right, I'm only going to go fora couple of minutes, I'll go on
the treadmill and then I'llleave again.
By the time you've got your gymgear on, you're there, you're
in the workout area, you're onthe treadmill, the music's
pumping, it doesn't feel too bad, does it?
So it's the ability just tokeep consistent and you'll get
(12:55):
there.
Remember, the journey toimprovement doesn't have to be
daunting.
By focusing on making small,consistent changes and
celebrating our teenagers'success, they will build
momentum that hauls them forward, and each tiny step they take
is a step closer to their biggergoals.
Now let's focus on how making 1%improvements in a teenager's
(13:15):
efficiency can enhance theirstudy habits, which in turn will
lead to better comprehensionand retention.
Efficiency is all about makingthe most of your time and
resources.
That's how we would defineefficiency.
So by finding ways to be just1% more efficient each day, you
can significantly boost yourproductivity without feeling
(13:37):
overwhelmed, and so can ourteenagers with their study
habits.
So here are some practical tipsfor making these small,
impactful changes to their studyhabits.
And you guessed it it I've gotanother four for you.
So the first one is encourageyour teens with different study
methods to find what works bestfor them.
Techniques like the STAR method, which is my own method, which
(14:00):
I have developed, is where yousummarize and then you test
yourself and then you analyzeand then you reflect.
It's a four-part system that isset to timing and it's a really
good way to get a short, sharpstudy session in for your
subject, and it's something thatI offer with the Essay Clinic.
I do a whole masterclass on it.
So finding a study method likethe STAR method can really help
(14:25):
maintain focus and preventburnout.
And with the STAR study methodI also incorporate active recall
into the study session and thatreally helps with enhancing the
retention.
The second way that we can helpour teenagers enhance their
study habits by using the 1%shift is improving time
management.
We can encourage our teenagersto use a planner or a digital
(14:48):
app to organise their studyschedule.
That way, they can prioritisetheir tasks and break them down
into smaller, manageable chunksand allocate specific time
blocks for each task and thenstick to them.
This can help them stay ontrack and make the most of their
study time.
Help them stay on track andmake the most of their study
(15:09):
time.
Third way is to optimize theirstudy environment, and I love
this one.
I always have candles at homethat I love to light when I'm
writing and some very soothingmusic on in the background, and
so we can do the same withhelping our teenagers by
creating a study space thatminimizes distractions and
maximizes productivity.
Ensure that their workspace iswell lit, they've got a good
(15:31):
lamp, it's quiet and it'sorganized, and small changes
like decluttering their desk orusing noise-canceling headphones
can make a huge difference intheir ability to focus.
And the fourth way that we canencourage these study habits is
by setting specific goalsInstead of vague goals like you
need to study more.
(15:51):
Set clear, achievableobjectives with your teenager
for each study session.
So, for example, they could aimto read one chapter of a
textbook, or complete a setnumber of practice problems, or
write a draft of an essay, andso by having specific goals that
they can feed back to you willhelp them stay focused and
(16:13):
measure their progress.
Implementing these 1%improvements in our teenager
study habits can lead to severalbenefits.
It can lead to enhancedcomprehension.
By studying more effectively,they can deepen their
understanding of the material.
Active learning techniques andfocused study sessions enables
them to engage more deeply withthe content, making it easier to
(16:36):
grasp complex concepts.
Efficient study techniques canhelp them retain information for
longer.
Methods like spaced repetitionthat we talked about, where they
review material at increasingintervals, really reinforces
their memory and makes it lesslikely that they'll forget what
they've learned.
It also helps with reducingstress.
(16:56):
Better time management andorganized study habits can
reduce the stress and anxietyoften associated with studying.
When they know exactly whatthey need to do and have a clear
plan for how to do it, studyingcan become far less daunting,
and it also means that there'sgreater productivity.
Those small 1% improvementsmeans that our teenagers can
(17:17):
accomplish more in less time.
Remember the goal is not tooverhaul our teenager's entire
study routine overnight.
Instead, it's focusing onmaking small, consistent
improvements Draw out newtechniques like the STAR method,
adjust their schedules or helpour teenagers to adjust their
schedules and to optimize theirenvironment.
(17:38):
One step at a time, these 1%changes can lead to significant
gains in their overallefficiency and academic
performance, which, at the endof the day, is one of the
measurable KPIs for ourteenagers.
Isn't it being at school, thoseend of semester exams or tests
is what they are most worriedabout.
(18:00):
To start building these habits,we have to focus on one small
change at a time.
We need to be consistent,patient and mindful of our
progress and our teenagers'progress, and we want to be
encouraging our teenagers to usetools like habit trackers or
reminders to keep them on trackand celebrate these small
victories and understand thatbuilding habits is a gradual
(18:23):
process and I'll say that overand over again it's not going to
happen overnight.
We can also give them resourcesthat can help them implement
these 1% shifts effectively, andone that I teach with my
students and I have beenteaching for many years is what
I teach at the Essay Clinic, andthe Essay Clinic is a
comprehensive digital coursedesigned to teach the basics of
(18:45):
writing a literary responseessay.
So we are applying theseprinciples of the 1% shift that
we've talked about today inEnglish literature, you know,
because English is one of thecore subjects that your teenager
will have to study at highschool and it will take them all
the way through to universityentrance and beyond.
(19:05):
So understanding how tocommunicate and how to
effectively respond to literarytexts is a skill that needs to
be taught.
So the Essay Clinic is perfectfor students who struggle with
essay writing or feel likethey're no good at it, whether
they're confused by literaryterminology or haven't quite
understood the previous writinginstructions by their teacher in
(19:27):
class.
The Essay Clinic offers ado-it-yourself, at-your-own-pace
approach to mastering essaywriting.
So this great example of how wecan use the 1% shift, because
the course breaks down theprocess of writing a literary
response essay into manageable,easy-to-understand segments and
each lesson is focused onspecific aspects of essay
writing, you know.
So that's small, incrementalsteps at a time, from
(19:51):
understanding literaryterminology to crafting a strong
thesis statement andstructuring their argument
effectively.
It also gives practicalexercises that allow students to
apply what they've learned.
So it's that test and recall,that retention that we talked
about earlier in the episode.
So these exercises are designedto help our teenagers make
small, incremental improvementsto their writing, one step at a
(20:12):
time.
And also because it's a digitalcourse, they can learn at their
own pace or on their ownschedule, and this flexibility
ensures that they can make theconsistent progress without
feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
It's about building it into aschedule and into a study
routine that we mentioned.
So by following the course andapplying the lessons, our
(20:33):
teenagers can make thoseessential 1% improvements that
lead to big results.
Let's see some examples, somereal life examples of how
teenagers have applied the 1%shift.
And because I'm an Englishliterature teacher, I will give
you English literature examples.
And I've changed the names ofthese students to protect their
privacy.
So I'm going to call thestudent Jamie to protect their
(20:54):
name.
And Jamie is a high schoolsophomore who struggled with
literary terminology.
Jamie often felt lost when itcame to analysing texts and
writing essays.
And then, after enrolling inthe essay clinic, jamie followed
the course's clear andcomprehensive lessons on
literary terms.
By completing the practicalexercises, jamie gradually built
(21:15):
a strong understanding of thekey concepts.
So this 1% improvement each dayhelped Jamie become more
confident in structuring essaysOver the next few months.
These small steps led tosignificant progress.
He's and Jamie's essay gradesimproved dramatically.
Another example I'll give you isTaylor, a high school senior
(21:37):
balancing a busy schedule.
Taylor appreciated theflexibility of the essay
clinic's digital format, whichallowed learning at her own pace
.
By spending a few minutes eachday on the course, taylor
gradually improved her writingskills.
The practical exercises helpedTaylor apply what she learned
immediately, reinforcing newskills and building confidence.
(21:58):
As a result, taylor felt moreprepared for college-level
writing.
Amazing well done, taylor.
And saw a noticeableimprovement in her essay scores.
Yay.
So these success storieshighlight the power of making
small, consistent improvementswith the help of the SA Clinic.
Whether it's overcomingterminology confusion, building
(22:19):
the SA Structure's skills ortaking advantage of flexible
learning, the 1% shift can leadto remarkable results over time.
If you're inspired by thesestories and want to see similar
improvements in your ownacademic journey, consider
signing up for the Essay Clinic.
With its clear lessons,practical exercises and flexible
(22:40):
format, you can start makingthose small changes that add up
to huge success.
I will put the link in the shownotes and you can check it out.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday your commitment to helping
your teenagers improve theirstudy habits and writing skills
is truly inspiring.
I am so proud of you all andthe commitment that you are
making to helping your childrenand the commitment as parents we
(23:03):
all make to wanting the bestfor our children.
If you enjoyed today's episode,please consider subscribing to
our podcast, leaving a reviewand sharing it with your friends
.
Your support helps me reachmore students like your teenager
who are eager to challengetheir minds and change the world
.
Remember, big results come fromsmall, consistent changes.
(23:25):
By focusing on making tinyimprovements each day, our
teenagers can achieve theirgoals and unlock their full
potential.
Our teenagers can achieve theirgoals and unlock their full
potential.
Help your teenagers to startimplementing those 1% shifts in
their study routine and watchhow they transform their
academic journey.
Until next time, my friends,keep challenging your mind and
(23:46):
changing the world 1% at a time.
I'm Francesca and this has beenChallenge your Mind, change the
World.
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