Study Smarter, Not Harder:

A Crash Course for College

Unlock College Success with Tierney Education’s Summer Prep Series!

Study Smarter, Not Harder: A Crash Course for College

A 5-Week Virtual Workshop for Incoming Penn State Students

Are you ready to start college with confidence? Many students struggle in their first semester—not because they aren’t smart, but because they haven’t learned how to study effectively. That’s where we come in. Tierney Education presents Study Smarter, Not Harder: A Crash Course for College, a 5-week virtual program designed to teach you the science-backed study skills that top students use to excel.

What You’ll Get:

✅ Proven Study Strategies – Learn evidence-based techniques from Study Like a Champ by Regan Gurung & John Dunlosky.
✅ Weekly Live Sessions – Join us for 1-hour interactive workshops with expert academic coaches.
✅ Real College Readiness – Master note-taking, time management, active recall, and more before classes even start.
✅ Small Group Setting – Get personalized guidance, ask questions, and build a supportive peer network.
✅ Confidence for Day One – Walk onto campus prepared with a game plan for success.

Workshop Details:

📅 Duration: 5 Weeks (One hour per week) - Tuesdays
📍 Format: 100% Virtual (Join from anywhere!)
📖 Curriculum: Based on Study Like a Champ
 👥 Who Should Join: Incoming Penn State first-year students who want to study smarter, not harder
💰 Cost: $500

Why Tierney Education?

At Tierney Education, we specialize in academic coaching, tutoring, and executive function support. Our team has helped hundreds of students navigate college, and we know what works. Don’t wait until midterms to figure out how to study—start now!

🚀 Spots are limited! Secure your place today.

📩 Ready to join? Have questions? Contact us at summer@tierneyeducation.com or visit www.tierneyeducation.com/summer-prep.

Proposed Outline

Week 1: Laying the Foundation – How to Study Like a Champ

📖 Chapters Covered: 1 (So You Think You Know How to Study?), 2 (Planning!) 🎯 Key Focus:

  • Debunking common study myths

  • Understanding metacognition (thinking about how you learn)

  • Creating a study plan and setting SMART goals for the semester
    📝 Activities:

    • Self-assessment: How do you currently study?

    • Interactive discussion: Common study traps and how to avoid them

    • Workshop: Creating a weekly study schedule for a sample Penn State class

Week 2: Note-Taking & Effective Learning Strategies

📖 Chapters Covered: 3 (Take Notes Well), 7 (Highlighting, Rereading, Summarizing, and Imagery)
🎯 Key Focus:

  • How to take better notes (Cornell, mapping, outlining)

  • What not to do (passive learning techniques)

  • Effective reading & summarization strategies
    📝 Activities:

    • Live demonstration: Taking notes on a sample college lecture

    • Group discussion: “What’s the best way to highlight?” (spoiler: it’s not just highlighting!)

    • Practice: Summarizing complex topics in 100 words or less

Week 3: Study Smarter, Not Harder – The Science of Learning

📖 Chapters Covered: 4 (Spacing It Out), 5 (Retrieval Practice for Mastery)
🎯 Key Focus:

  • Spaced repetition – Why cramming doesn’t work

  • Retrieval practice – How to actively recall information

  • Simple techniques: Flashcards, quizzes, and recall exercises
     📝 Activities:

    • “Blind Recall” challenge: Students recall a concept from Week 2 without looking at notes

    • Live quiz game: Practicing spaced retrieval with Kahoot or Quizlet

    • Study plan workshop: Applying spaced practice to real Penn State syllabi

Week 4: Problem-Solving & Mastering Tough Subjects

📖 Chapters Covered: 6 (Interleaving, Self-Explanation, and Worked Examples)
🎯 Key Focus:

  • Interleaving – Why mixing up subjects improves learning

  • Self-explanation – Teaching yourself difficult concepts

  • Worked examples – How to learn from practice problems
    📝 Activities:

    • Interactive math/science exercise: Solving problems step by step

    • Peer teaching: Each student explains a concept from their own academic interest

    • “Mix it up” challenge: Creating a study plan with interleaving

Week 5: Building a Championship Mindset for College

📖 Chapters Covered: 9 (The ABCs of Champions), 8 (Mixing and Matching Strategies)
🎯 Key Focus:

  • Growth mindset – Overcoming self-doubt and test anxiety

  • Motivation & discipline – Avoiding procrastination

  • Bringing it all together: Designing a personal success strategy for college
     📝 Activities:

    • Mindset discussion: "What makes a successful college student?"

    • Final project: Students design their own "Study Like a Champ" plan

    • Wrap-up & Q&A: Open discussion, feedback, and advice