Study Smarter, Not Harder
A Crash Course on Learning for College Students
Unlock College Success with Tierney Education’s Summer Prep Series!
Study Smarter, Not Harder: A Crash Course on Learning for College Students
A 5-Week Virtual Workshop for current and incoming Penn State Students
Are you ready to attack college with confidence? Many students struggle in their first year—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 on Learning for College Students, 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 every Tuesday
Format: 100% Virtual (Join from anywhere!)
Who Should Join: Incoming Penn State first-year students who want to study smarter, not harder
Cost: $359
Our course will follow along with the readings in the book Study Like a Champ by Regan A.R. Gurung. You can get a copy of the book here.
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 James@tierneyeducation.com or Kim@tierneyeducation.com to learn more!
Program Outline
Week 1: Laying the Foundation – How to Study Like a Champ
Key Focus:
Debunking common study myths
Understanding metacognition (thinking about how you learn)
Creating a study plan and setting SMART goals for the semester
Chapters Covered: 1 (So You Think You Know How to Study?) and 2 (Planning!)
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
Key Focus:
How to take better notes (Cornell, mapping, outlining)
What not to do (passive learning techniques
Effective reading & summarization strategies
Chapters Covered: 3 (Take Notes Well), 7 (Highlighting, Rereading, Summarizing, and Imagery)
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
Key Focus:
Spaced repetition – Why cramming doesn’t work
Retrieval practice – How to actively recall information
Simple techniques: Flashcards, quizzes, and recall exercises
Chapters Covered: 3 (Take Notes Well), 7 (Highlighting, Rereading, Summarizing, and Imagery)
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
Key Focus:
Interleaving – Why mixing up subjects improves learning
Self-explanation – Teaching yourself difficult concepts
Worked examples – How to learn from practice problems
Chapters Covered: 6 (Interleaving, Self-Explanation, and Worked Examples)
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
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
Chapters Covered: 9 (The ABCs of Champions), 8 (Mixing and Matching Strategies)
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