5.1 BECOME ENGAGED IN LEARNING
Engaged students are those who are fully involved with the college experience and spend the time and the energy necessary to learn, both in and out of class. Engaged learners who have good listening and note-taking skills get the most out of college.
You can learn by listening to a lecture, and you can think about and better understand that information by considering what the information means to you. Practice the techniques of active learning, which means learning through engagement and participation in activities such as talking with others, participating in online or in-class discussions, asking questions in class, studying in groups, solving problems, and going beyond the lecture material and required reading. Explore other information sources in the library or on the Internet. Think about how the material relates to your own life or experience. For instance, a psychology class might help you recognize patterns of behavior in your own family, or a sociology class may shed light on a team or group to which you belong. When you are actively engaged in learning, you will not only learn the material in your notes and textbooks, but will also be practicing valuable skills that you can apply to college, work, and your personal life such as the following:
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Working with others. Learning to do professional work with others is one of the most important skills you can develop for success in college and in your career. To do so, you can become active in a co-curricular organization where you acquire leadership opportunities; and you can join study groups that meet online or face-to-face to discuss the material and exchange study notes.
Improving your thinking, listening, writing, and speaking skills. These are the primary skills that define a college-educated person.
Functioning independently and teaching yourself. Your first year of college will help you become an independent learner. Such learners do not wait for an instructor to point them in the right direction.
Managing your time. Time management sounds easy, but it is a challenge for almost all students, regardless of their academic ability. And it is the number one college success strategy reported by many successful students.
Gaining sensitivity to cultural differences. The world we live in requires all of us to develop our own knowledge about, and respect for, cultures that are different from our own.
Engagement in learning requires your full and active participation in the learning process. Your instructors will set the stage and provide valuable information, but it’s up to you to do the rest. For instance, if you disagree with what your instructor says, politely share your opinion. Most instructors will listen. They might still disagree with you, but they might also appreciate your independent thinking efforts.
Not all instructors teach in a way that encourages active learning. Ask your friends for recommendations for instructors who encourage students to participate in class, work in groups, explore materials independently, and otherwise engage fully in learning.
