Ep.168 Why Independent Learning in Higher Education Feels So Hard (and What to Do About It)

04/21/25 • 21 min

#168 – You’re told to be an independent learner at university—but no one actually shows you how.

In this episode, I’m unpacking why independent learning feels so hard at higher education level, especially if you’re returning to study as an adult.

You’ll learn why the problem isn’t your intelligence, motivation or potential—but the lack of proper support. I’ll break down the myth of ‘just figuring it out’, share the metaphor I use with my students to explain what’s really going on, and walk you through what should happen instead.

If studying still feels harder than it should be, this episode will help you understand why—and give you a clearer way forward.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode168

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

#168 – You’re told to be an independent learner at university—but no one actually shows you how.

In this episode, I’m unpacking why independent learning feels so hard at higher education level, especially if you’re returning to study as an adult.

If studying still feels harder than it should be, this episode will help you understand why—and give you a clearer way forward.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode168

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

Previous Episode

Ep.167 The Only 2 Reasons Why Your Essay Grades Aren’t Higher

#167 – You worked hard. You followed the guidance. You poured hours into your essay... and still didn’t get the mark you hoped for. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the only two reasons why your essay grades aren’t higher—and why these problems have nothing to do with your intelligence, effort or potential.

You’ll learn how misunderstanding the question and writing at the wrong level are the most common (and fixable) reasons students lose marks. I’ll walk you through the signs to look out for, the types of feedback that hint at these issues and the specific study skills that can turn things around.

Whether you’re aiming to pass confidently or push your marks higher, this episode will help you close the gap between the grade you got and the one you deserve.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode167

Check out the episode I mention on Bloom’s Taxonomy (episode 161)

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.

Next Episode

Ep.169 5 Reasons Why Essay Writing Feels So Hard (and How to Fix It)

#169 – If you have ever found yourself thinking, “why does essay writing feel so hard?” you are not alone.

In this episode, I share 5 reasons why essays often feel overwhelming, confusing or frustrating—and what you can do about each one. We will explore why you were never properly taught how to write essays, why traditional study methods often make things harder, and why high-stakes assignments leave no room for practice.

You will also hear why outdated frameworks like PEEL are not helping you and how you might be working incredibly hard but not always in the most effective way.

If essay writing feels like a slog, there is nothing wrong with you—you just need better support, clearer methods, and more strategic tools. I will also introduce you to my brand-new training, The Essay Fix, which is open for enrolment now.

Tune in to learn practical shifts you can make right away to make essay writing feel easier, more focused and less overwhelming.

To get the links and shownotes for this episode, head to: https://chloeburroughs.com/episode169.

Join the Essay Fix training.

Check out my membership, the Kickbutt Students Club.

Grab a copy of my book, The Return to Study Handbook.