MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Situation

Financial

Review your last three expenses—spot one recurring cost that could be reduced or avoided.

List all active subscriptions—are they useful for your learning goals? Cancel or downgrade one.

Create a basic monthly budget—include both fixed study costs and flexible project costs.

Set a weekly reminder to review expenses—even a five-minute check is enough.

Reallocate 10% of your budget this week to the highest-impact project item.

Set a savings target for the semester—even a small reserve creates security.

When did you make your best money-related decision as a student? What mindset helped?

Recall a time when a budget limit forced creativity—what did you learn?

What’s one expense you justify emotionally—does it deliver value?

Reflect on when funding delays caused stress—was it planning, access, or timing?

Are you clearer on costs than returns—or the opposite? How does that shape choices?

What’s your typical reaction to financial stress—freeze, cut, or reframe?

Categorize your spending into must-have, nice-to-have, and waste—act on one today.

Create a one-page budget summary to share with your group—build alignment.

Ask someone with finance skills to review your budget plan for blind spots.

Build a scenario plan: what would you cut first if your budget dropped by 25%?

Run a “value for money” test: is each major item delivering ROI?

Track every expense for 7 days—even the smallest—and reflect on trends.

Ask your professor or advisor: “Which part of my budget or plan worries you most?”

Present your budget plan to a peer and ask: “What’s missing or unclear to you?”

Ask a mentor: “Where do you think I’m overinvesting—or underinvesting time or money?”

Share your budget choices with a peer—can they explain it back clearly?

Ask your group: “What’s one thing we spend money on that feels misaligned with priorities?”

Run a quick group survey: “If you could reallocate 10% of our spend, where would it go?”

Reframe budgeting from “limiting options” to “fueling what matters most in this project.”

Shift from “I can’t afford this” to “how could I afford it if it’s worth doing?”

Instead of cutting broadly, ask “what am I protecting with this spend?”

Recast money stress as a data point, not judgment—what signals should I examine?

Replace “we always fund this” with “does this still serve my top objectives?”

Reframe finance from fear to clarity—what do I need to know to act smartly?

Notice where budgets consistently overrun—what patterns cause it?

Track approval bottlenecks—does money flow where it’s needed?

Watch how peers react in budget talks—who avoids, who engages, who dominates?

Monitor how funding impacts morale—what do tight budgets signal to peers?

Check if peers know budget limits—does lack of clarity cause caution or waste?

Review old funding attempts—were the best ones chosen, or not?

Technological

List all study and project tools you use—highlight one underused or outdated and test alternatives.

Clean up your digital workspace—delete or archive files you no longer need.

Set up a short tutorial session for one tool peers often struggle to use.

Identify one manual task you could automate using existing tools—start today.

Activate a feature in a tool you already use but haven’t tried yet.

Review your tool list—cancel or consolidate overlapping apps or services.

When did a tool last save you major time or effort—what made it effective?

What tools do you avoid using—barriers of trust, relevance, or complexity?

How confident are you in your digital skills—where are gaps or overreliance?

What’s your approach to new tools—early adopter, cautious, or resistant? Why?

When have you outgrown a system or tool—did you notice early or too late?

Think of a recent tool adoption—what worked, and what caused friction?

Run a side-by-side test: compare two apps for one task and evaluate clarity and ease.

Host a 30-minute “tool swap” where classmates teach shortcuts or features.

Create a short FAQ or guide for a common workflow to reduce confusion.

Audit your project tool stack—does each tool still serve a clear purpose?

Introduce a simple dashboard to track usage of one platform.

Spend 45 minutes exploring one advanced function in a key tool.

Ask a peer: “Which tool helps you most—and which one frustrates you?”

Invite peers to vote on their most and least useful tools—discuss results.

Share your top three tech frustrations and ask for tool suggestions.

Present your current workflow to a peer—ask where they’d add automation.

Ask a tech-savvy peer: “Where are we over-complicating or under-using our tools?”

Run a retro on recent tool use: what worked, what failed, what’s missing?

Reframe tech not as a “school requirement” but as a performance multiplier I can master.

Instead of “this tool is too complex,” ask “have I set it up for my real needs?”

Shift from “let’s buy new tools” to “are we maximizing what we already have?”

Recast tech resistance as feedback—what needs simplifying for real use?

Replace “this slows me down” with “what behavior is this tool trying to shape?”

Frame each tool as a strategic ally—not just software but a way of working.

Track how long common tasks take with your tools—what creates friction?

Observe where tool use drops—are people bypassing features or reverting to manual?

Notice how often classmates ask for tech help—where is onboarding breaking?

Monitor if tools are used reactively or proactively—do they guide or just record?

Watch for redundant data entry—can integrations or shortcuts help?

Pay attention to habits—are shortcuts eroding intended tool use?

Physical

Check your study or project space—adjust lighting, seating, or layout to boost focus immediately.

Take inventory of supplies—donate or recycle anything unused in the last three months.

Identify one essential item slowing you down—repair, replace, or reorder it today.

Label or organize shared resources to reduce confusion for your group.

Clean and reset your study space at the end of the day—note how it affects tomorrow.

Post clear labels or guides near shared resources to improve use by all.

When does your study or project space support focus—and when does it get in the way?

What supply or setup do you take for granted—but would really miss if gone?

Which study or campus spaces energize you, and which drain you? Why?

When did lack of proper equipment or layout cause delays or issues?

Are your physical resources aligned with actual project needs?

What’s the most neglected resource in your space—and what does that say about ownership?

Walk through your study space and document friction points—access, layout, or flow.

Create a basic restocking schedule for shared materials or supplies.

Assign a clear owner for each shared asset—who maintains or troubleshoots it?

Hold a 20-minute session to suggest one improvement for shared space.

Use one physical item differently this week—explore an alternate function.

Lead a clean-up sprint for your shared space—invite peers to co-design layout.

Ask your group: “What’s one thing in our space or resources that slows you down?”

Interview a student from another program: “What resource or setup do you rely on most—and why?”

Run a poll: which shared space or resource needs the most improvement?

Invite a new student to walk through your space—what feels confusing or inefficient?

Present your study setup to a peer—ask how they’d optimize it.

Ask facilities staff: “What issues in this study space do students often overlook?”

Reframe my space from “good enough” to “a tool that shapes focus and collaboration.”

Instead of “we’ve always used it this way,” ask “what’s the best use of this space now?”

Recast clutter as a backlog of decisions—what hasn’t been owned yet?

Shift from “we need more stuff” to “are we fully using what we already have?”

View broken items not just as costs, but as signals of how much we value our tools.

Frame physical resources as enablers of flow and focus—not just objects.

Watch how often classmates wait or search due to poor setup or missing items.

Track how often shared equipment is used vs. idle—does it match importance?

Observe where noise, clutter, or layout affects focus and collaboration.

Monitor wear and tear on shared items—what does it say about volume or care?

Notice how often supply or setup issues interrupt work—where’s the breakdown?

Pay attention to how study spaces affect mood, focus, and teamwork.

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