Learning Strategy Support

Learning Strategists support students and counsel them in understanding how they learn best. In collaboration with a Learning Strategist, you will develop strategies and tools that enhance your efforts and make you a more efficient learner.

Learning Strategies are tools and techniques we use to help us be effective and efficient learners. What learning strategies will work best for you will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• Learning style
• Strengths and challenges
• Program of study
• Circumstances in your personal life
• Extra-curricular activities

During your first appointment with a Learning Strategist, you can expect to:

• Receive an overview of learning strategies and examples of the concepts 
• Talk about yourself as a learner 
• Collaborate to find learning strategies and tools that will work best for you 
• Address any of your concerns or academic crises

Whether you are having specific academic issues or simply want to improve your academic performance, a Learning Strategist can help you find ways to work more effectively! You can book an appointment to discuss any academic issues. Common topics include:

• Time management and organization
• Taking notes in class 
• Reading and taking notes from a textbook
• Assignment planning
• Studying and test taking 
• Group work 
• Math and science problem-solving
• Essay and writing skills
• Oral presentations 
• Social coaching (as it relates to the college environment)
• Managing stress and anxiety 
• Self-advocacy and communicating with professors (e.g., writing emails, preparing for conversations)
• Navigating the online learning environment
• Procrastination/Motivation

Please use one of the following options to book an in-person or virtual appointment with a Learning Strategist:

• Call the Welcome Centre at 727.4723 ext. 7200 or email welcomecentre@algonquincollege.com
• Visit the Welcome Centre in person on the 3rd Floor, Student Commons (E Building)
• Use the Learning Strategist Team Online Booking System (www.tinyurl.com/LSBookings), available 24/7!

Additional Types of Service Available:

• Learning Strategies Drop-in Sessions – Available during the Fall and Winter terms. No appointment necessary!
• Study Skills Workshops available through the Student Learning Centre (register online: https://algonquincollege.libguides.com/slc/library-lab)

Learning Strategies Drop-In support is designed to help you when you need it most. These 15-30-minute sessions can help you navigate small challenges that are causing big roadblocks. Some topics include weekly planning, assignment breakdowns, portal support, study tips, and test-taking strategies. Drop-in sessions are available in the Fall and Winter terms and can be accessed in-person or virtually.

Fall 2024 hours:

• Monday – 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Debi)
• Wednesday – 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Bethany)
• Thursday – 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Darlene)

LS Drop-in Support is offered both in-person in the AT Lab (Room E303) and virtually on a first-come first-served basis.

Use the following link to join the virtual drop-in session: https://algonquincollege.zoom.us/j/96669061305?pwd=cG51MDRINVRNNTMranJmNzRzaHZUUT09 (Meeting ID – 966 6906 1305; Passcode – 682849)

Students will be served in the order that they arrive. The Learning Strategist will provide you with an approximate wait time, either in person or in the chat feature. It is possible that not all students will be seen during the scheduled drop-in time.

Take these learning strategy surveys so that we can offer you the best help possible going forward!

Procrastination:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-procrastination

Planning:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-assess-planning

Taking Notes:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-notes

Reading:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-reading

Studying and Test Taking:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-studying-test

Self-Advocacy:
https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/ls-self-advocacy

Neuroplasticity is the physical change that occurs in the brain through the growth and reorganization of neural networks. This happens in response to several factors, including learning new information. Our brain never stops creating new connections in response to changing needs. This process allows us to learn, create memories, and adapt to different experiences.

The work of Carol Dweck, professor of Psychology at Standford University, has highlighted the importance of mindset when it comes to learning. She has coined the term, Growth Mindset, which is the belief that you can learn and develop new skills despite any obstacles or challenges that are in your way. It is also the belief that intelligence is like a muscle that can be developed. Students with Growth Mindset embrace challenges because they see them as a way to develop and grow. It is reframing your approach from “I don’t know this” to “I don’t know this, YET.” Dweck’s research has shown that students who adopt a Growth Mindset see positive impacts in their motivation levels, academic behaviors, response to setbacks, and academic achievement.

Developing a Growth Mindset is a journey, but there are a number of things you can do to take the first step and adopt this mindset *:

• Accept challenges out of your comfort zone. 
• Ask questions. 
• Appreciate obstacles. 
• Understand that mistakes are a part of the process. 
• Choose learning well over learning fast. 
• Don’t be threatened by feedback. 
• Reflect on your learning. 
• Seek out new experiences. 

*Based on the work and research of Carol Dweck

In as little as 24 hours after learning something new, our memory of that information can be reduced by as much as 80% if the material has not been revisited. By day 30, if you have not revisited that material, what you will remember can drop down to as much as 2% -3%. Our brains are constantly recording information and keeping track of the world around us. Due to the amount of information being processed, your brain frequently dumps information that is not needed. Information that is revisited or reviewed acts as a signal to your brain to hold on to this information. As you are exposed to this information more frequently, the less time it takes for your brain to access the information and the longer it will take for your brain to dump it.

As indicated, memory is something that needs to be developed and crafted. In order to enhance your memory, you can adopt strategies to become an active learner. This will create frequent and meaningful experiences you are more likely to remember. Here are some examples:

• Create questions from readings and lectures. Use these questions as a frequent review of the material.
• Summarize information from readings or lectures in your own words.
• When learning new material, make a connection to something you already know or to a past experience. This is called a memory hook.
• Use mnemonic devices. These memory tools will allow you to use acronyms, silly sentences, or visuals to help remember a concept.

Metacognition is the ability to step back to assess and observe your own thinking and learning. It involves self-monitoring and self-reflection. Developing metacognition skills allows you to feel more in control of your learning. There are four questions you can consider to become more aware of your thinking and learning:

• What do I need to learn?
• How am I going to learn it?
• How is my progress while learning this material?
• Did I learn it effectively?