Learning Tips from Students

The Peer Tutor team recently got together to consider the best approaches to learning in early 2024 at St. Lawrence University. The following are some of their best tips, along with a few post-discussion reflections from me:

• One suggestion several tutors mentioned was to emphasize and become fluent with base concepts in any course. I think a student can identify what these fundamental concepts are through the syllabus, and observing their repetition during class activities, utilization within applied exercises, and instances of emphasis from professors. Give yourself an opportunity to test your knowledge of these concepts. Perhaps do practice exercises, close your book and write down everything you know about a subject, or try to teach an idea to a friend. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, adjust, develop your process, and try it again.
• Tutors noted that students sometimes struggle with organization or forget when homework is due. They suggest buying a calendar---and using it! Put it somewhere you will regularly see it, update it regularly, customize it, and make it yours. Color-coding is one simple and fun way to do this.
• A few peer tutors noted that the classroom can be a distracting place especially if we don’t take proactive steps to focus. Can we put away our phones? Can we put away the laptop? If we need our laptop, can we sign out of wifi temporarily or close windows unrelated to the class? Being “present” in class matters, and it can be a huge time saver later if you have learned essential materials the first time around.
• Students sometimes think that there is a stigma about going to professors’ office hours. Don’t! They are very often the best forum to address questions and delve into complex course materials. And your professors want to see you and get to know you better. The peer tutors suggest writing down a brief agenda before going to office hours and then taking notes on what you learn. Ask for feedback on long-term projects and scaffolded assignments that are leading towards a larger goal. Perhaps develop a conceptual flowchart going into or coming out of the meeting.
• The peer tutors recommend connecting with classmates, both as “study buddies” and collaborators on notes and review materials. Maybe you can develop a Quizlet or review packet together or serve as a second set of eyes on written work.
• This connects with the larger theme that you don’t need to do this alone. In addition to our classmates, professors, and peer tutors, there are resources like the PQRC, WORD Studio, course TA’s, the LRC, the reference librarians, the Academic Advising Office, and many more. Think too about campus resources that can help us take better care of ourselves. Physical and mental health matter when it comes to learning. Good sleep, nutrition, exercise, and a positive mindset will invariably help us.
• Give yourself time. You are going to be able to submit better work if you give yourself sufficient time to review and revise. For me, I like to develop extensive notes before I sit down to formally write something. I then will play what I have written aloud on Word which helps me engage in a better editing process. Studying for tests over longer periods of time leads to better learning outcomes. And it means less pressure for you and any people who happen to be working with you---whether they are tutors, project teammates, or study partners. Having enough time---perhaps one hour of focused study, for each of our four classes, six days per week---can allow us to break big tasks into manageable chunks, develop useful questions, engage in our best creativity, and pursue meaningful practice. Think too about when and where you do your best work.
• If you’re going to give yourself the time to succeed, you may need to battle against procrastination. I have found myself procrastinating a bit lately, so this point hit home. There are many ways to combat this issue but for me I have been trying to identify one simple step that I can take to get a project started: something that only takes a few minutes and provides some type of product to build from. I take a break, and then consider what’s another small step I can take? I also tend to tell loved ones when I have been procrastinating to invite them to hold me accountable. Handwritten lists work for me too. Be thoughtful about the personal techniques you can use to break out of a procrastination pattern based on what you know about yourself.
• Peer tutors urge students to take good notes. They helpfully mention that class notes should vary from day to day. If they show too much repetition, you may not be achieving enough depth of understanding.
• One group of tutors reminds us that grades matter but try not to become obsessed by them. I would encourage students to attempt to do the little things well every day and to embrace intentional decision-making. Good grades will often (though perhaps not always) follow. If you do get a low grade, be gentle and kind with yourself as you would be with a friend. Use it as an opportunity to embrace feedback and reassess your approach. Think too about the intrinsic motivations that drive us; what are we seeking to learn; what are we hoping to become; how do we wish to grow?

-The St. Lawrence Peer Tutor Team and Matt McCluskey