How to Become a Successful Student

15 Oct 2021

I like to ask students, “What does a student do?” Most commonly, they reply,  “Students study.  Students learn.” Then I like to ask what activities students must do to make that learning happen. In other words, what are the habits of a successful student?  I use a framework of five categories to help students address the varied aspects of student life that need to be part of their routine: workspace management, task management, reading practices,

Worrying about final grades? Advice from three teachers

Advice for worrying about grades13 May 2021

Love them or hate them, grades are an important part of the learning experience.  Although an imperfect measurement, grades provide valuable information about comprehension, mastery and areas that need improvement.  But so often, a healthy desire for diligent learning becomes an unhealthy fixation on getting good grades. This can drive students to unhealthy levels of worry and a shift in how they understand the real purpose of education. Grade-focused learning becomes less about seeking to

Majoring on the majors: How we approach final exams at Wilson Hill

29 Apr 2021

Exam season is upon us, bringing with it much anticipation. Of course, the end of exams marks the beginning of summer, and it also represents a rewarding opportunity for students to see the fruit of their hard work.  Yet we know that exam season can also bring undue stress and dread. Students may feel overwhelmed by assignments and the never-ending need to study. Given our culture’s emphasis on test grades as a measure of one’s