Mapping out your term

Once we know your course schedule, we will look at each syllabus and map out the term, based on all of the tasks involved. We will look at crunch times and learn how to plan for heavy academic points throughout the term. This will inform our weekly and daily schedule.

Time Management

I want you to learn how to work smarter, not harder. There are so many demands for your time both in school and out. You want to be able to identify your daily, weekly and term goals and be extremely efficient and effective. I want to encourage a balance between your academics and your other desired activities and experiences. We will look at habits that tend to detract from managing your time wisely, how to encourage the likelihood of good habits to form, how to maintain them, and to break habits that do not serve you well.

Taking Notes

Did you know that there are many methods of note-taking? Depending how your brain works and the course material being taught, some methods may prove better for memory retention than others. We will examine the debate between technology for note-taking versus handwritten notes. We will practice techniques for understanding content, making connections, memory retention, and recall.

Study Skills 1

Brain health — setting the stage for optimal learning: Learning, memory retention, and higher order thinking skills can be optimized through an honest look at how well you move through this world. We will examine routines and habits that serve your mind, body and mental health. How do you cope with stress? What is your sleep routine like? How well do you nourish your body? Do you exercise? We will look at the best ways to set your body and brain up for optimal learning.

Study Skills 2

Evidence-based practices that work: Did you know that when it comes to studying, most students have no idea whether their chosen method(s) of studying actually have proven, evidence-based research efficacy? Most students do what they do because that’s what everyone else tends to do! But what if you could enhance your understanding and performance results and reach your true potential? We will examine evidence-based strategies that will enhance your existing study strategies, for optimal performance and mastery

Taking Exams, Tests & Quizzes

Exams can be very stressful. Did I prepare enough? What is that question actually asking of me? Will I recall everything in a timely manner? Will I give the answers that are expected for a great mark? Exams/tests come in a variety of formats. We will examine effective strategies for the various exam components, so that you can go in with a solid plan of attack. Many strategies that are highly effective are underutilized. Let’s discover what they are!

Honours Student

University of Waterloo

Leanne takes a very practical approach to building skills in order to help students succeed and accomplish their academic goals. When I faced a heavy workload during my second year of university, she took the time to listen about the challenges I faced with prioritizing and time management. As she heard more about my default approaching learning, she recognized my struggles and suggested to seek an assessment for ADHD to rule it in or out . Alongside that, she walked me through tools that helped utilize my strengths and plan around my shortcomings such as distractibility.

Leanne provided me with strategies such as using the pomodoro technique with a timer at my desk, creating a weekly hour-by-hour timetable with time for breaks and errands. I learned how to read my course-syllabus and plan out my semester ahead of time. She has an extensive repository of tools and resources to support students with ADHD.

By helping me work with myself instead of against myself I was able to develop strong habits and routines that resulted in success at school including effective time management and prioritization skills to manage ADHD symptoms.

A really good aspect about Leanne’s approach is that she has extensive experience working in the teaching industry (including higher education) so her approach was readily applicable to day-to-day challenges that students face.

Blair Hilts

Principal, Bluewater District School Board

As a principal with Bluewater District School Board I have always been impressed with Leanne’s commitment to meeting the learning needs of students as the Learning Resource Teacher. She exceeded expectations by routinely seeking out resources and professional growth. Leanne developed expertise in navigating post-secondary pathways for students. Leanne is a clear communicator, who advocates effectively.

Ramya Muraleetharan

Honours Co-op Urban Planning, University of Waterloo

I am writing this testimony to express my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable support and guidance you have provided as a learning strategist, during my time at the University of Waterloo. Your expertise and dedication have made a profound impact on my personal and professional growth, and I am truly thankful for the transformative learning journey you have facilitated.

From our very first interaction, it was evident that you possess a unique ability to understand individual learning needs and tailor effective strategies to address them. Your insightful approach to learning design has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities for development. You have a remarkable talent for fostering a positive and encouraging learning environment, which has been instrumental in boosting my confidence and motivation to achieve my goals.

Your commitment to staying updated with the latest educational trends and technologies is truly commendable. Your innovative use of various learning tools and platforms has not only enhanced the learning process but also inspired me to explore new ways of acquiring knowledge and skills. Your dedication to continuous improvement sets a shining example for all learners, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to benefit from your expertise.

Beyond your expertise in learning strategies, your genuine passion for helping others succeed is what sets you apart as an outstanding learning strategist. Your patience, empathy, and willingness to listen have made our learning sessions truly meaningful and enjoyable. You have not only been a teacher and mentor but also a reliable ally on this journey of growth.

I want to express my appreciation for the unwavering support you have offered me, both in achieving my learning objectives and navigating any challenges along the way. Your constructive feedback and encouragement have motivated me to push my boundaries and strive for excellence.

In conclusion, I can confidently say that working with you as my learning strategist has been an enriching and rewarding experience. Your professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for your students make you an exceptional educator and mentor. I wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone seeking guidance in their learning journey.

Thank you once again for everything you have done for me. I am truly grateful and look forward to continuing our journey of growth and development together.

Ben Nichol

Masters, Particle Astrophysics, Laurentian University

I first worked with Leanne in my freshman year of high school, where her talents for helping rather disorganized students adjust to a new environment became immediately obvious. Throughout the year she saw potential in me as a student with exceptionally poor time management skills and helped provide tools I could use to improve both independently and with her.

Leanne continued to support me throughout our time together at that secondary school, and the skills I learned with her were paramount to ensure my success in gaining admission to and completing a very competitive undergraduate program. To this day over 10 years later, I still carefully schedule and write things down - an underrated skill I had no affinity for before meeting Leanne, and a skill that will likely bring me benefits for the remainder of my life.

In the time since I started working with Leanne, she has continued to help hundreds of students like me and many from backgrounds unlike mine. I have personally experienced her abilities that have no doubt grown even further since our time working together.