5 Returning to Learning
Tips for Returning to Learning
Keep up with what is expected: It’s more manageable to do a little every day on reading and assignments than to try to catch up on a week’s worth of work. It is recommended to put aside 2-3 hours per day to study and/or complete assigned work.
Engage in Learning
- Participate in class discussions
- Ask for clarification if there is something you don’t understand
- Organize and re-write your notes
- Reflect on your learning often and keep a learning journal
- Make a chart, diagram or flash cards to summarize your learning
- Discuss or teach what you are learning with another person.
- Review your notes. Reviewing class notes as soon as possible after class will help you to understand and retain the information.
Anytime you can interact with and think about the information in a new way, you increase understanding and retention.
Key Takeaways
Plan your study times: Study when you feel you’re best, i.e. morning, evening. Set aside a quiet, place in your home that will be your study place. If there are too many distractions at home, try studying on campus or at the local library or another site where you can focus on your studies.
Set Reasonable Study Goals: After two hours of studying, you probably will not retain more information. Take breaks, most people cannot be attentive for more than 20 to 40 minutes at a time.
Critical Thinking: To be successful in any job, we need to have the ability to think critically or problem solve. This entails effective communication and problem solving abilities, including the ability to understand, apply knowledge and adapt to a situation. Practice these skills through reflection of what you are learning and think about how you will use your knowledge.
Manage your Time: Being able to manage time, set priorities, ask questions and know yourself are skills that help learners be successful.
Your Experiences: What has worked for you in the past? As a mature learner, you have developed many skills over the years. Reflect your successes: What contributed to the success?