Three dimensions of how you learn: 1. Perception of your study and how you approach your learning 2. Process of your study and how you memorise and use information 3. Presentation of your study and how you organise and demonstrate your learning This guide emphasises the perception and process of your study, and therefore will apply to your learning in any learning situation. The other study skills guides in this series will give general advice on how you should present your learning at an academic level. Two main areas that will probably affect your approach to learning:
Your motivation (the reasons why you are engaged in a particular course of study). Think about why you are a student and what you hope to gain from your studies. This may be something very specific (like promotion), or perhaps very personal (like increased self-confidence). Do you have only one reason for why you became a student or are there several reasons? Have your reasons for studying changed since you became a student? These reasons may change over time, being aware of them will affect your attitude to study and how you organise it. Periodically reflecting on them may help you to reorganise your priorities.
Your previous history as a learner, both in a formal setting (such as at school or on another course) and informally, through unstructured or unexpected learning experiences. Think about one good (enjoyable and effective) learning experience and one that was less effective and enjoyable. Then ask yourself why the first was more effective and why the second was not. Maybe the reason your learning did not go too well was nothing to do with the topic or the activity, but simply that you had had a difficult day and found it impossible to concentrate. All learning has an affective component (to do with feelings) as well as a cognitive one (to do with thinking). Recognising this and resolving any tensions in our feelings about learning - is an important part of learning how to learn.