Learning Strategies for Students
Caltech is a challenging place to get an education, and you might find that this is the first time you have had to start using study skills (that you may or may not have). The following topics can help you start to find study strategies that work for you. You don't need to sue them all, but keep exploring until something clicks! Our suggestion: Try a strategy for one class for two weeks and then assess whether it helping or not. If not, discard it and try something new. Remember, though, that just because a strategy didn't work for physics, it doesn't mean it won't work for biology - so keep an open mind.
In her book, "Teach Students How to Learn", Sandra Yancy McGuire identifies ten strategies that improve academic performance:
- Previewing
- Preparing for active reading
- Paraphrasing
- Reading actively
- Using the textbook even if it isn't required
- Going to class and taking notes by hand
- Doing homework without using solved examples as a guide
- Teaching material to a real or imagined audience
- Working in pairs or groups
- Creating practice exams
These strategies are "metacognitive" strategies that encourage you to think about your thinking. Learn more about them all here:
Information on this site has been adapted from learning strategies presented by the Louisiana State University Center for Academic Success, Catalyze Your Success at the University of Washington Department of Chemistry, and the book "Teach Students How to Learn" by Saundra Yancy McGuire, Stylus Publishing (2021).