Why We Exist.
What is Ardiendo Learning all about?
If you’ve found this blog, then you have probably heard of us. But if not, welcome. Ardiendo Learning is a unique academic coaching company that focuses on tutoring students in specific content areas, while also teaching time management, study skills, organizational skills, and other techniques needed to be successful in the classroom. Ardiendo isn’t just about the grades — we are invested in the student.
After tutoring in high school, I noticed the success my students/peers had in and outside of the classroom when I introduced new study skills, how to take notes, and how to organize the thousands of papers that are shoved in front of them daily (trust me, later during my time as a Spanish teacher, I had more handouts than I’d care to admit). These small changes led to greater focus during our sessions and I was able to identify key foundational gaps in their learning while also teaching current content.
As a 16-year-old, I was honestly a little surprised when I saw that much growth in a small period of time. At this age, I didn’t know there was actual research to support this method, but have since discovered the wealth of information and studies surrounding the importance of study skills and organizational skills when learning. A study published in the Journal for Advanced Medical Education and Professionals explains that
“The quality and quantity of learning are influenced by different factors. Psychologists have observed that the most contributing factor in students’ performance, at least while studying at a university, is general study skills in learning and recalling the lessons studied.”
Their conclusion of the study was that
“it is recommended that ‘study skills’ and ‘study habits’ courses be included in the students’ curriculum formally or implemented as workshops for students.”
Another study concluded that
“learning styles, critical thinking and academic performance are significantly associated with one another. Considering the growing importance of critical thinking in enhancing the professional competence of individuals, it’s recommended to use teaching methods consistent with the learning style because it would be more effective in this context.”
These studies are just a taste of the research and evidence supporting learning from multiple aspects, including helping students with critical thinking and organization. It seemed pretty intuitive to me — if we could teach students how to learn on their own and become life-long learners, then they would no longer need to pay money for someone to tutor them. Instead, they could become independent thinkers and have a smooth transition to their future jobs and college because they had now honed the necessary transferable skills they needed while in high school.
We lean into academic coaching because it is a space where tutoring content, teaching life skills, and developing healthy academic habits can meet. Of course we want to celebrate when a student’s grade increases. But we also want to celebrate when they are consistent with their new study habits, when they understand why it’s important to be organized, when they learn how to learn. These moments are also to be celebrated.
Here, we care about the whole student — and we want the tutoring experience to be about overall growth, leading to success not only in the classroom, but for their personal life goals as well.