Adlerian Psychology in Education: What The Courage to Be Disliked Teaches Teachers About Motivation
How does Adlerian psychology apply to education? This article explores what The Courage to Be Disliked reveals about student motivation, intrinsic learning, and why autonomy and responsibility matter in classrooms.
Why Making Your Own Study Guide Is the Most Effective Way to Learn
Most students think studying is about reviewing notes. In reality, learning happens when you create them. Here’s why making your own study guide is the key to real understanding.
Online Tutor for Homeschool and Student Actors: Flexible, Rigorous, and Supportive Learning
Families searching for an online tutor often need flexibility without sacrificing rigor. This article explains what to look for in an online tutor for homeschool students and student actors, emphasizing self-reliance, high expectations, patience, and personalized learning. Drawing on eight years of experience and a cognitive science background, MyTotalTutor supports students with nontraditional schedules while helping them learn how to learn and succeed independently.
Oh, So Bored and Creative: Why Boredom Builds Better Learners (and Better Attention)
Boredom is not a problem to eliminate. Research links boredom and mind-wandering to creative incubation, and shows that constant “digital switching” can increase boredom while reducing attention and meaning. This article explains why learning should not rely on nonstop stimulation, how short-form video habits can shape attention and distractibility, and how students can rebuild focus with practical “boredom reps.” At MyTotalTutor, we teach self-reliance: how to think clearly, research well, and learn even when motivation is low.
How to Pick the Right Tutor: Why You Should Never Feel Embarrassed for Asking Questions
Choosing the right tutor is about more than subject knowledge. Students learn best when they feel safe asking questions, supported without shame, and challenged with high expectations. Drawing on eight years of tutoring experience and research on teacher expectations, this guide explains how to identify tutors who build confidence, analyze how students think, and teach resourcefulness rather than dependence. At MyTotalTutor, tutoring focuses on helping students learn how to learn so they can succeed independently.
What to Do When Your Teacher Isn’t Helping (And Why This Matters More Than You Think)
Many students struggle not because their teacher is “bad,” but because they haven’t learned how to be resourceful when instruction doesn’t click. In this guide, an experienced K–12 tutor with a background in cognitive science explains how students can learn to research effectively, think critically, and build self-reliance when they feel stuck. These learning strategies help students succeed across subjects and beyond school.
In the Age of AI, Writing Is the Real Literacy
The Age of Information: Why Critical Thinking Matters More Than Ever
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Why Some Students Learn for Grades and Others Learn for Mastery
Why do some students study for grades while others learn out of curiosity? This guide explains intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, what actually drives lasting motivation, and how students can develop a deeper desire to learn.