Hey, I’m Petr

Petr Placek - Shovel Cofounder

I want to help you get better grades with less stress.

I came to the US from the Czech Republic to attend a boarding school when I was 14 years old.

It was a very demanding place but I thrived. My life was structured there.

I was living in a dorm with faculty, I had to be prepared for every class because there was nowhere to hide, and I had to study every night during “study hall.”

I did so well that I was accepted to Harvard and drafted to the NHL.

Placek Petr Harvard Hockey How To Study In College

But I started to struggle when I got to college. My back pain had a lot to do with it, but I also had no structure.

I didn’t have to be prepared for every lecture because I didn’t get called on, I didn’t have to study every night because nobody was watching, and my social life was more accessible than ever.

Long story short, I struggled my freshman year.

What saved me was a conversation with Jim,  who is my host dad and now my co-founder.

He taught me how to build a study system I could rely on. All my stresses went away. I was able to get a lot more done and still have fun.

That’s why I want to help you get control of your studies right away.

There is no need for stress and a low GPA. You can get good grades, have fun in college, and get a good job after graduation. 

Everything on this site is free, except for Shovel (free trial only). But you don’t need Shovel to be successful—It just really helps.