Study Skills Sprint
2026
“My teen has no idea where to begin.”
“They sit at their desk but don't seem to get anything done.”
“I keep nagging them to study.”
“They've got all the information from school but aren't using it.”
“They think rereading their notes is studying.”
“They know the content but fall apart in tests.”
Why this course
Less nagging, more independence
You’re constantly reminding your teen to study, but the issue may not be motivation — they may not know how to organise, start, prioritise and follow through on study independently
From overwhelmed to organised
Senior students often have the exam dates, study guides and subject content, but still feel stuck about where to begin. Study Skills Sprint helps them turn all of that information into a clear, manageable study plan.
Practical exam preparation skills, not tutoring
Across five sessions, including four live sessions and one video session, students learn the Executive Functioning skills behind effective study: planning, active recall, exam-style practice, self-monitoring and rehearsal, so they can approach NCEA exams with more structure and confidence.
Work smarter, not harder.
For Years 12–13
Your teen has the study guide.
They know they should be studying.
But knowing what to do and actually knowing how to study effectively are two very different things.
The 5-Week Study Skills Sprint gives students the practical strategies, structure and executive functioning skills they need to turn their study plan into action — and build greater independence along the way.
Organise. Study. Practise. Rehearse. Succeed.
break a large workload into manageable steps
work out what they actually need to learn
prioritise what matters most
organise notes and resources
start when they don't feel like starting
remember and retrieve information
practise applying what they know
recognise gaps in their knowledge
learn from mistakes
manage their time under pressure
adapt when something isn't working
stay calm and focused when exams feel overwhelming
These are executive functioning skills — the skills that support independent learning, study and life beyond school.
Studying isn't simply about spending more hours at a desk.
Students need to know how to:
THE 5-WEEK SPRINT
A step-by-step pathway from “I don't know where to start” to “I know what I'm doing.”
WEEK 1 — ORGANISE
What do I need to know?
Students learn how to turn their study guide into a clear, realistic plan.
We focus on:
breaking down the study guide
identifying priorities and knowledge gaps
organising notes and resources
creating a clear study plan
Executive functioning: Planning • Organisation • Prioritisation
WEEK 2 — STUDY
How do I actually learn it?
Students move beyond simply reading and highlighting and learn how to make their study time more effective.
We focus on:
active recall
retrieval practice
brain dumps
practice questions
spaced practice
self-testing and checking what they actually know
Executive functioning: Task Initiation • Working Memory • Self-Monitoring
WEEK 3 — PRACTISE
Can I use what I know?
Knowing information isn't always the same as being able to use it. Students learn to apply their knowledge in exam-style situations.
We focus on:
exam-style questions
applying knowledge, not just recalling it
timed practice
identifying and learning from mistakes
targeted revision
Executive functioning: Problem Solving • Cognitive Flexibility • Self-Monitoring
WEEK 4 — REHEARSE
Can I show what I know under pressure?
Students practise the skills they will need when it really counts.
We focus on:
timed practice
exam routines
managing time during an exam
what to do when they get stuck
reviewing final knowledge gaps
creating a final-week plan
developing an exam-day strategy
Executive functioning: Time Management • Emotional Regulation • Self-Monitoring
WEEK 5 — SUCCEED
Bring it all together.
The final week is about consolidating the strategies and building confidence for the next stage.
We focus on:
creating a final revision plan
confidence strategies
managing stress and mindset
healthy routines for peak performance
becoming more independent
transferring these skills into future study
Executive functioning: Self-Regulation • Goal Setting • Resilience • Independence
Investment: $290
Programme value: $490
Starts October 12th
Registrations open
Ready to help your teen study smarter, not harder?
Give them more than another study timetable.
Give them a system, strategies and the skills to use them independently.
JOIN THE 5-WEEK STUDY SKILLS SPRINT
Only 10 spaces available..
-
It's not just about getting through the next exam.
The goal is to help your teen develop the skills to manage their own learning.
Planning.
Organisation.
Time management.
Working memory.
Self-monitoring.
Problem solving.
Emotional regulation.
Independence. -
5 weeks of structured support
5 × 45-minute live Study Skills coaching sessions
45 minutes of coaching time + strategies.
Each session combines practical instruction with strategies students can immediately apply to their own study.
45-minute supported study time
Students put the strategies into practice with guidance and support — rather than simply being told what they should do.
Study Skills Guide + Workbook
A practical resource students can use throughout the programme and beyond.
Video resources
Access supporting resources between sessions to reinforce the strategies.
Parent Workshop
A dedicated parent workshop to help parents understand the approach and support their teen.
-
Years 12–13
Investment: $290
Programme value: $490Only 10 spaces available
Epsom Community Centre
Kimberly Ave, Epsom5:45–7:15pm
Two session options available.
Register:
BELOW
Registration
The details
Epsom Community Centre - Central Auckland
Starts Monday 12th October
Mondays or Wednesdays
5:45pm-7:15pm
Small group work
Limited to 10 spaces each session
Minimum of 7 students to run the group
Vanessa Leaver
Executive Functioning Coach
Speech Language Therapist
Mum
17 years working with ADHD
I’m Vanessa Leaver, a Speech Pathologist and Executive Function Coach, and I’ve spent more than 17 years working with children, teens and families across Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Through my work with students, I’ve seen the same pattern again and again: they’re given the study guide, the exam date and the topics — but no one has really shown them how to turn that into a plan they can actually follow.
That’s why I created Study Sprint. This course isn’t about cramming more content or adding another tutor into the mix. It’s about teaching senior students the Executive Functioning skills behind independent study — how to prioritise, organise, start, retrieve, monitor, adjust and rehearse — so when a parent asks, “Have you started studying?”, their teen has a clearer idea of what to do next.
At The Executive Hub, my focus is always practical: giving students, parents and educators strategies that make real life feel more manageable. Study Sprint brings that approach to exam preparation, helping Year 12 and 13 students build the structure and confidence they need to study with more independence.