S2 Ep22: Correcting feedback: Providing supportive direction to teens
“Could try harder.” “See me after class.” These kinds of phrases epitomised school for a great number of us. And that’s not to say that it was all red pen and crosses because, at the other end of the spectrum, there was always “well done”. It could just be me, but I don’t remember there being an awful lot of degrees in between these two options. Now, teachers seem to operate within a more nuanc...
36m Jan 29, 2021
36m
S2 Ep21: Going the distance: Making the most of remote learning.
It’s quite incredible how quickly our teens adapt to their environment. And it never ceases to amaze me how quickly they can cotton on to a great excuse – sorry, my laptop is glitching. I’m not sure that’s much of a technical term, but it seems to cover all manner of ills to justify not putting the camera or mic on. But beneath the cunning is there a more serious issue? Is it a symptom of the f...
34m Jan 22, 2021
34m
S2 Ep20: The Exam Question: The impact of cancelled exams and learning
Who knew unprecedented times could still give you a sense of deja vu? The cancellation of GCSE and A Level exams in the summer 2021 sitting has divided people: those who think the exams should have gone ahead as the fairest way to grade students; and those who have long held that exams should have been cancelled due to the significant disruption students have faced and for many the startling di...
43m Jan 15, 2021
43m
S2 Ep19: Remote chance: Digital learning and learning digital with our teens
Remote learning isn’t a phrase we used very much before 2020. It was either classwork or it was homework. Of course, Covid-19 and lockdown brought with it the need to adapt. Fortunately, we have the technology nowadays to deliver classroom content to pupils in their homes. But it can all be a bit bewildering, can’t it? I remember it used to be, when we were children, that we were the masters of...
41m Jan 08, 2021
41m
S2 Ep18: Taught parenting: The role parents can and do play in teaching teens
All too often when faced with a studying teen we’re reminded just how long ago our own school days were! Not only can the content hazy at best, but the texts, technology and even approaches have changed considerably. How many parents in our generation looked perplexed when we were told there was a new way of doing subtraction! Do we need to take some sort of crash course in teacher basics to he...
36m Jan 01, 2021
36m
S2 Ep17: The Learning Parent: Applying principles of retrieval practice at home
We want our children to do well. Naturally. We parents have been through school, done homework and revised for exams.  Although that can feel like a dim and distant lifetime ago. But you'd think we'd be amply qualified to do our bit and help our children through this stage. Afterall the human brain and learning haven't changed in the last couple of decades.   In this week's episode we looking ...
38m Dec 18, 2020
38m
S2 Ep16: Reaching your STEPS: Coaching, motivation and goal setting.
Hardly a fortnight goes by without some stone being thrown into the 2020 pond to causes ripples. And few have felt it more than those students taking their exams in 2021. In addition to fairly significant disruption to schooling and probable isolation and remote learning, there have been regular questions over whether exams will take place. While the Government is determined that exams will tak...
55m Dec 11, 2020
55m
S2 Ep15: Revising revision: Reframing the idea of exam preparation from short fix to long term
It’s not unusual for students to wait until exams are almost upon them before revising. "Don’t stress, there’s loads of time” is certainly something I heard a lot – and probably said a fair amount too. For generations, teens have seen revision as that thing you do in the run-up to a test. It seems somehow baked into the word: Revising isn’t just the act of studying what you’ve learnt, but some ...
44m Dec 04, 2020
44m
S2 Ep14: Making Maths Count: Overcoming barriers to master Maths GCSE
Could Maths be the Marmite of the Education world? Students seem to either love it or loathe it. They get it or they struggle. Quite often you’ll hear students who don’t enjoy it say: “I don’t know why I’m bothering, it’s not like I’m ever going to need to know the quadratic formula after GCSEs”.  Many parents will sympathise! After all, there comes a point in secondary school where a lot of u...
51m Nov 27, 2020
51m
S2 Ep13: Taking Stock of the Mock: What dry run exams are - and are not - good for.
There's some poetically ironic about calling these dry run exams "mocks".  For many parents, this is the time when our children make a mockery of revising. Or perhaps it’s more like they’re mocking us for our frequent, if not futile, attempts to get them to study. Ironic naming aside, these dress rehearsals can take up a lot of energy and be a source of anxiety for students and parents alike. A...
57m Nov 20, 2020
57m
S2 Ep12: Revising Boys: A look at why it is [typically] difficult to get boys to study
Boys? Well, they're just lazier than girls / don’t try as hard / procrastinate more / need to run around and let off steam. These are some very obvious stereotypes about teen boys that we could call on. And most of us would recognise at least one or two traits in sons – and perhaps other males in your life. Afterall they are stereotypes for a reason: they come up time after time. But there has ...
44m Nov 13, 2020
44m
S2 Ep11: The Study Trinity: Fostering great relationships between teachers, parents, and students
We want our children to do well. Teachers want their students to achieve their potential. And I’ve never met a student that is actively trying to fail. Given that we all want the same thing, you’d think that the relationship between the three parties would be harmonious and collaborative. But sometimes those bonds could do with strengthening.  This week's episode is looking at the relationship...
43m Nov 06, 2020
43m
S2 Ep10: English Proper: The importance of revising for English GCSEs
When it comes to most exam subjects, it seems fairly automatic that revision – for GCSEs at least - is mostly about ways you can retain facts and figures. For many revising English Literature mostly comes down to creating a bank of quotes. And all to often, preparing for English Language is an afterthought on the basis “I speak English, what’s to revise?”. But given that Maths and English Langu...
58m Oct 30, 2020
58m
S2 Ep9: Testing Times: Retrieval Practice and its role as a valid study technique
As parents we’re often confronted with situations where our teens will tell us, “I just don’t know how to” or “I’m just no good at remembering this”. From our own experiences too, we might have found that we’ll recall some things very easily even from childhood – the rhyme about Henry VIII’s wives – but other things seem to slip through or harder to grasp – what those wives names were. Is there...
55m Oct 22, 2020
55m
S2 Ep8: Challenging behaviour: Adopting good habits in teens
We know what we need to do to be better at something. Just work a little smarter, procrastinate a little less, start a little earlier, stop checking the phone so much. It’s clear. It makes sense. And it’s for our own benefit. So why then can it be so difficult to make these seemingly simple changes to the way we approach things- and, of course, how our teens approach their studies? In this epi...
36m Oct 15, 2020
36m
S2 Ep7: Take a breath: Mindfulness and mental wellbeing in teens
We all have different ways of coping with – if not managing – stress. Perhaps it's the variety of situations we’ve experienced that make us more or less adept to managing pressure. But our young people have had limited opportunity to experience or deal with the kinds of pressure they now find themselves under. So just how can we practically help them to learn how to cope for themselves when we’...
39m Oct 08, 2020
39m
S2 Ep6: Catching up: a look at how best to face into 2021 exams
This year’s GCSE and A-Level students are suffering with a double whammy. They’re facing into future looking questions while also worried about catching up. That’s an awful situation to be in but does that mean it has to be a hopeless one? In this episode The Study Buddy's founder, Nathan McGurl, is talking to Dylan Wiliam (https://twitter.com/dylanwiliam) about this year’s exams. Given the un...
40m Oct 01, 2020
40m
S2 Ep5: One size won't fit all: Autism and SEN in studying.
Sometimes it can seem like teens get pushed through a cookie cutter template. But it’s important to remember they are all individuals. Each young person is unique and will approach things in a different way.  We seem to have comfortably adopted a view that ‘normal’ exists - albeit within certain parameters. And this is how we have structured the mainstream system. But how does that work for th...
46m Sep 24, 2020
46m
S2 Ep4: Motivation in teens: how to get it and how to keep it.
In this episode we explore the foundations of good motivation. We also cover some of the tactics and strategies that might help you to find what drives your young person. Importantly we find out the difference between activating and sustaining motivators.
44m Sep 17, 2020
44m
S2 Ep3: Hit the ground running or ease in gently: Managing study in uncertain times.
In this episode Nathan McGurl talks to Barnaby Lenon (https://twitter.com/barnabylenon) and Iain Kilpatrick (https://twitter.com/SidcotHead) about how best to approach the year that will have to end in a 'grade' for GCSE and A-Level pupils.  The discussion looks both at the practicalities of the year for GCSE and A-Level students in 2021 and also at the purpose of exams. We also look at the ro...
48m Sep 10, 2020
48m
S2 Ep2: Well-being in students: External pressure and internal coping.
In this episode we’re talking about well-being and mental health. Natasha Devon MBE and Dr Dominique Thompson talk to Nathan McGurl, founder of the Study Buddy. In this series we’re following 6 very different students as they work towards their GCSEs in summer 2021. Each week I’ll be catching up with each of them in a 1-2-1 coaching session. Then, a panel of experts will discuss some of the is...
49m Sep 03, 2020
49m
S2 Ep1: Back to school: Is it all doom and gloom for the class of 2021?
In this series we’re following 6 very different students as they work towards their GCSEs in summer 2021. Each week I’ll be catching up with each of them in a 1-2-1 coaching session. Then, a panel of experts will discuss some of the issues that crop up in one of our podcast episodes.
24m Aug 27, 2020
24m
S1 Ep17: "In It Together": Introducing the students in our 2021 GCSE study programme
Meet the six GCSE students that we'll be following to their 2021 exams. In this episode Nathan McGurl, Founder of The Study Buddy, talks to the students who are taking part in the first Study Programme. Over the course of the coming months, Nathan will be talking to these students about what is going well and perhaps not so well and discussing those issues with a panel of experts in series two...
24m Jun 25, 2020
24m
S1 Ep16: "Take A Leap": The importance of risk taking and autonomy in teens
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Bettina Hohnen and Jane Gilmour, co-authors of "The Incredible Teenage Brain".   In this episode we hear that the teenage brain is perfectly adapted for what it needs to do! Bettina and Jane discuss autonomy, the vital importance of risk taking and why parenting should follow a consultative model during this time.   This podcast seri...
33m Jun 18, 2020
33m
S1 Ep15: "Hold The Line": The importance of structure and habits in raising teens
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Katharine Birbalsingh, Founder and Headmistress at Michaela Community School, author and speaker.    In this episode Katharine discusses why parents must maintain authority and discipline, and why it's something that children need. We cover the importance of forming good habits early on as well as a look at the perils of mobile phones.  ...
33m Jun 11, 2020
33m
S1 Ep14: "Invested Parenting": Why 'teaching' isn't your job but 'supporting' is.
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with TEDx Speaker and Principal of Surbiton High School, Rebecca Glover.    This episode explores styles of parenting, aspects of growth mindset and the importance of failure. You'll come away with an affirmative approach to supporting your child's home study. You'll also see why 'trampoline parenting' is the way to go.    This podcast series...
27m Jun 04, 2020
27m
S1 Ep13: "Planning to succeed": Managing studying and revising at home
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks about how his straightforward approach to managing studying works. He's going to outline the 5 steps that underpin a successful and meaningful plan. You’ll come away with handy tips as to how you cansupport your teen with scheduling their school workload.    This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying,...
21m May 28, 2020
21m
S1 Ep12: "The path less trodden": Embracing change for a love of learning.
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with former author and growth mindset expert, Will Hussey.    You’ll come away with useful insights into the process of learning including Will’s 5 stage roadmap and the 5 character attributes that underpin how we learn. Essential in helping our young people to reach their potential.   This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents ...
35m May 21, 2020
35m
S1 Ep11: "Big Goals, Small Steps": why goal setting, confidence and encouragement are so important in young people’s development
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with internationally recognised parenting expert Sue Atkins.     You’ll come away with useful insights into transitioning in and out of schooling from home, identifying goals and focussing less on facts and figures, and more on personal development of our young people.    This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students a...
30m May 14, 2020
30m
S1 Ep10: “The Power of Now”: helping our young people flourish by finding the feel good factor
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Dr of Happiness, Andy Cope.  You’ll come away with useful insights into how to use the 'four minute rule' to be the best you can be, live in the now and avoid 'kicking your happiness into the long grass'.   This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, with practical tips on surviving and thriving ...
31m May 07, 2020
31m
S1 Ep9: "Safety Net": Appreciating the role of digital in our teens' lives
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of Parent Zone.  You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen whilst they're using digital platforms to study from home.    This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, with practical tips on surviving and thriving while studying at home. Find out ...
27m Apr 30, 2020
27m
S1 Ep8: “We're all in the same boat": homeschooling teenagers, with their parents
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with parents of teens: Angela, Chantelle and Simon.  You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen whilst they're schooling from home, and reminders that - we're all in the same boat.    This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, with practical tips on surviving and thriv...
29m Apr 23, 2020
29m
S1 Ep7: “And off to bed": The importance of a good night’s sleep to teenagers
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Faith Orchard. She's a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Reading, specialising in anxiety and depression in young people. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen with sleep hygiene, the '20 minute rule' and keeping to routines.    This podcast series talks to a range of experts, paren...
19m Apr 16, 2020
19m
S1 Ep6: “The Power of Yet": How Praise and Growth Mindset Affect Learning
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Chris Hildrew. He's the headteacher at Churchill Academy in Somerset and the author of 'Becoming a Growth Mindset School'. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen by finding their perfect 'struggle zone', encouraging their learning (rather than their successes) and helping them seek out difficulty.    T...
21m Apr 09, 2020
21m
S1 Ep5: "Positive parenting": How coaching can get the best out of your children.
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Jonathan Peach. He's a coach, on a mission to inspire and energise people to be their most brilliant version of themselves. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen through coaching techniques to be the most brilliant version of themselves.   This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and s...
27m Apr 02, 2020
27m
S1 Ep4: "Bouncing Back": Resilience and Young People
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Bronwen Rochard. She runs Bristol's resilience lab - and is now heading up OTR's training and enterprise projects. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen in building resilience, especially during this tricky time.   This podcast series talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, w...
20m Mar 27, 2020
20m
S1 Ep3: "Fuel to perform": What you eat matters to get the most out of studying
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Andy Petts - performance nutritionist with premiership rugby club The Bristol Bears. He's going to discuss how we eat and the lifestyle choices we make can affect our performance. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your teen's nutrition during their studying.    This podcast series talks to a range of expert...
23m Mar 20, 2020
23m
S1 Ep2: "Can't Just Rock Up": Teenagers, Exams and Revising
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Jake McGurl – his son and muse! In this episode we hear about how Jake approached exams and tests – a fairly common tale of avoidance, procrastination and distraction. We will find out about the watershed moment that led to the creation of The Study Buddy approach. You’ll come away with useful insights into how you might support your own...
22m Mar 13, 2020
22m
S1 Ep1: "Life is wiggly": Anxiety and Perfectionism in students
Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy, talks with Dr Dominique Thompson – TEDx speaker and award-winning author of “How to Grow A Grown-Up” - about anxiety, perfectionism, the fear of failing and the impact that that can have on young people. Teen mental health is important all year round, but it’s especially relevant in the run up to exams where revision and the pressure to do well can...
25m Mar 06, 2020
25m
S1: The Revision Report Trailer
Hosted by Nathan McGurl, the Founder of the Study Buddy. The run up to exams can be a trying time for students - and their parents. Will they be exam ready? How do they reach their potential? Have they even started yet? This podcast talks to a range of experts, parents and students about studying, with practical tips on surviving and thriving in revision and exams. Produced by Pineapple Audio P...
1m Mar 02, 2020
1m