Page 92 - Keys To Community College Success

statusCHECK

How Aware Are You of How You Learn?

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. 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 1 2 3 4 5
to 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 EXPLORE
who you are as a learner?

Have you thought about how you learn? College is an ideal time to think about
LEARNING PREFERENCE how you learn, think, and function in the world. “Thinking about thinking” is known
A way in which a person
as metacognition (something you are building with each Status Check). Building meta-
most effectively receives and cognition and self-knowledge can help you choose the risks that will most effectively
processes information.
lead you to rewards you value. The more you know about yourself, the more effectively
you can analyze courses, study environments, evaluate partners, and decide what, how,
and where to study.

Use Assessments to Learn About Yourself

Each person in the world is born with particular levels of ability and potential in differ-
ent areas. As you grow, you develop learning preferences based on your abilities and
3 potential. Learning preferences combine with effort and environment to create a
CHAPTER 54 “ recipe” for what you can achieve. Part of this recipe is the way you perceive yourself,
a perception that may come from many different sources. Maybe your mother thinks