Power Learners Handbook for College Success

Obviously, to succeed in college you must learn and pass your courses. To do that, it is not enough to pay attention in class and to read the textbook. You also must do the work of learning. As everybody says about succeeding with any task, "Do your homework." This Handbook focuses on that most critical activity of studying in your room, the library or a coffee shop. You went to class, paid attention, took notes, and read the textbook. Now you are going to do something or some things to learn the material. The keys to college success are to make good choices of what to do and to persevere to mastery. This Handbook contains instructions and exercises for mastering the best known methods for learning the various kinds of skills and knowledge in your courses. More importantly, this book will guide you in managing yourself. -Setting goals-Budgeting the 168 hours in a week-Asking for help-Persevering to mastery-Preparing for testsIf you do the exercises in this Handbook, you will experience these important truths about yourself and learning: -You have sufficient IQ to master your courses.-Your professors guide you in what to learn and how to learn it.-Most of your learning occurs when you actively practice doing what you are learning to do-reciting, memorizing, analyzing, writing, or solving. -When you get stuck, it is efficient and legitimate to get help, so long as you then continue practicing to mastery.-As you master each lesson you get smarter-you can do things you couldn't do before, you retain it longer, and your learning rate for subsequent lessons increases. -Getting smarter feels good and is motivating. Your concentration and confidence go up. -Academic success will make you better able to handle the non-academic challenges you may face. Several hundred thousand students have used these methods and exercises. In surveys one and two semester later, over 90% have reported doing better academically.