An Interview with Drs. Brian Haig and Jeff Haig: Unlock Your Educational Potential

Michael F. Shaughnessy - May 20, 2009
Senior Columnist EducationNews.org
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico

1)      First of all, Could we get some bio graphical information about each of you and your background. 

Jeff Haig, co-founder of Maximize Your Education, completed his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He holds his MBA from the University of Southern California (USC), where he is currently completing his doctorate in education on scholarship. Jeff is the chair of the UCLA Scholarship Admissions Committee.

Jeff is a former lead instructor at Kaplan Education, and is passionate about education and making a positive difference in students’ lives. He has researched, developed and implemented curriculum to help students maximize their educational success as well as taught numerous continuing education classes on topics including education, finance, and personal development. Jeff has taught students at both the domestic and international levels.

As an undergrad, Jeff founded and led many organizations and clubs, was a member of a #1 debate team in the country, and mentored and tutored students of all backgrounds.

Jeff is an active member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and the Higher Education Consultant Association. He is currently a college professor, an author, and consultant.

Dr. Brian Haig, co-founder of Maximize Your Education, earned his Bachelor’s from the University of California, Berkeley in Neuroscience and graduated at the top of his class. He then completed his doctorate studies at the world-renowned UCLA. Dr. Haig is passionate about helping students achieve educational success and has taught courses such as: “Getting A’s,” “Why an Education is important,” “Goal-Setting and Time-Management,” and “Personal Development,” at local community colleges.

Brian has founded organizations that have significantly helped students reach their full potential and has developed audio programs and seminars that have positively impacted the way students view their role in their own education. Brain is an active member of the Higher Education Consultants Association. 

2)      Why write a book of this nature?

We wrote “Unlock Your Educational Potential” to help students succeed to their fullest potential in the educational system. Students are continually struggling in school--they are haphazardly going through it without a road map.  “Unlock Your Educational Potential” provides a road map for students for how they can get the most out of their educational journey both inside and outside of the classroom.

3)      Would this be a book that freshmen (and women) should read?

Yes, this is definitely a book that freshmen should read; but it’s a book that any student in the educational system can benefit from, the target audience being high school and college students. Students need to understand how to navigate the educational system most effectively, and as soon as possible, which “Unlock Your Educational Potential” provides.

4)      It seems that schools are not teaching test taking skills, study skills, note taking skills and other critical skills need for success. What has happened over the past 20 years?

Yes, this is definitely true. The fact of the matter is that schools do not adequately address these areas as well as many other important areas relevant for both academic and real world success. Our educational system is broken in many ways, and it’s been this way for a long time. My brother and I founded Maximize Your Education to be a key resource for students to help them maximize their educational success. Our book “Unlock Your Educational Potential” is an important resource of our company that addresses many key areas of how students can succeed in school, and in life.

5)      What are some other key skills for success- for example time management and organizational skills?

Time management and organizational skills are two of the most challenging areas for students; students continually struggle in these areas, and it’s important that they get on top of their time management and organizational skills. From a time management standpoint, students should first assess where and how they spend their time. They will be surprised at how much time is wasted. Students should then schedule study time along with everything else. They should prioritize important tasks and have a system in place that accounts for how their life is spent. Also, students need to keep their lives organized.

Their schedules, classes, and everything else need to be organized--there should be a system in place that does so. Some popular companies that help in the organization area are Franklin Covey and Daily Planner.

6)      How do you go about helping kids develop goals?

It’s important that students set goals for their lives. They should set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals might be to obtain a 3.5 GPA in the current term’s classes, or to take on a new leadership position in an extra-curricular activity. Long-term goals might include graduating from high school or college, or obtaining the job of their dreams. To establish effective goals, the acronym S.M.A.R.T. can be used. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Timely. Each one of these areas needs to be met in order to establish effective goals. It’s important that students are held accountable for their goals, and also that they align their goals with intrinsic motivational desires as opposed to external factors.

7)      How do you help students understand that there is more to life than music and ipods and technology?

Students need to understand that having balance in life is what’s important. Too much of anything, including studying or listening to music and ipods is unhealthy. In order to develop as a mature, functional, and successful adult who can thrive and succeed in the “real world”, students need to become successful both inside and outside of the classroom. Inside of the classroom, students need to work hard to get good grades and learn course material. Outside of the classroom, students need to cultivate interests that they can excel in. They should look at clubs and organizations as well as volunteer opportunities, sports, and employment. Lastly, students should not forget that leisure time is important which includes family and friends, and of course, music and ipods. The important point is that it’s all about keeping a balanced life.

8)      I often tell students that there is more to school than grades- students are exposed to art, music, sports, and often make friends for a life time. Who should be teaching about some of these values?

It’s important that students have mentors in life, and this should begin at home. Parents should be role models for their children and help them develop as mature and successful adults. Too many parents are stressing grades to a high degree. Grades are definitely important, but colleges, and more importantly, the real world, want students who are well-rounded. Students need to develop themselves outside of the classroom also. This includes developing leadership, communication, teamwork, and social skills, along with all of the other skills that are important for both school and life. Other mentors can be teachers, club/organization leaders, religious leaders, and friends.

9)      Let’s talk about “personal growth and development and maturity”. How does this fit into the big picture?

Students need to learn as early as possible to become independent. This means thinking for themselves, being proactive in their lives, and taking the steps necessary to reach their full potential. Too many students come to college ill-prepared because they have not prepared themselves sufficiently. Students need to take charge of their lives and not be reactive or passive about it. Personal growth is about developing one’s self so that one can reach his or her full educational and lifelong potential. Becoming a mature student means being completely independent and being able to move forward in life successfully on one’s own.

10)  What question have I neglected to ask?

One of the most important areas of student success is self-regulation. This is about students taking responsibility for their lives and being proactive every step of the way. Too many students are reactive to life’s events and let their lives unfold like a “leaf floating on a breeze.” Students to need to understand as early on as possible that they are the creators of their lives, and they need to take action every day to create the life they want. Student who are truly self-regulated takes charge of their life every day and creates opportunities for themselves so that they can create the life they imagine.