Page 117 - Keys to College Success

statusCHECK

How Aware Are You of Your Learning Preferences?
For each statement, fill in the number that best describes how often it applies to you.
1 = never 2 = seldom 3 = sometimes 4 = often 5 = always
1
CHAPTER 1. I believe I can develop my skills and abilities through self-knowledge and hard work. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I have a pretty clear idea of my strengths and abilities.
1 2 3 4 5
3. I understand which subjects and situations make it more difficult for me to learn. 1 2 3 4 5
4. I try to maximize what I do well in the classroom and outside of it. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I recognize that being comfortable with the subject matter isn’t necessarily enough to
1 2 3 4 5
succeed in a particular course.
6. I assess an instructor’s teaching style and figure out how to maximize my learning. 1 2 3 4 5
7. I choose study techniques that tap into how I learn best. 1 2 3 4 5

8. I try to use forms of technology that work well with the way I learn. 1 2 3 4 5
9. I’ve taken a skills or interests inventory to help find a major or career area that suits me. 1 2 3 4 5

10. I understand what a learning disability is and am aware of several different types of disabilities. 1 2 3 4 5

Each of the topics in these statements is covered in this chapter. Note those statements for which you filled in a 3 or lower. Skim
the chapter to see where those topics appear, and pay special attention to them as you read, learn, and apply new strategies.
REMEMBER: NO MATTER HOW WELL KNOW YOURSELF AS A LEARNER, YOU CAN IMPROVE WITH EFFORT AND PRACTICE.

WHY UNDERSTAND
how you learn?

You are one of a kind, born with a unique set of potentials, abilities, preferences,
and challenges. As a college student, you have one of the most significant opportunities
of your life to explore how you learn, think, and function in the world. What you learn
from this exploration can help you choose the risks that will most effectively lead you
to rewards you value. Specifically, the more you know about yourself, the more effec-
tively you can analyze courses, evaluate partners, and decide what, how, and where to
study and work.
Of the countless aspects of your individuality, some affect your student and work-
ing life more than others. Take a moment to think through how you would answer the
following questions:
■ Which academic subjects make sense to you, and which seem more challenging?
■ Which sports or other physical activities come naturally to you, and which feel
more awkward or require extra effort?
■ At what time of day do you generally have the most energy and focus? When do
you have the least?

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