Tips For Tasks

Study your learning experiences:

__ Set up a timer and log what you have done since the last check-in

__ Pick a small do-able SMART goal. 

__ Do it.

__ Log it: Record what you noticed about what you saw, heard, smelled, felt, emotions, frustrations, barriers, etc.

__ Reflect: This is where the learning happens.  What worked? What got in the way?

__ Reset timer. Pick. Do. Log. Reflect. 

If you can't seem to log your progress, try an app.  there are lots of productivity apps you can try for free.

Reflections & self-talk: Sometimes it helps to describe yourself in the third person! 

For example:

"The student was optimistic about reading a chapter an hour.  During the first hour, there were interruptions and they took a break to eat, get a glass of water, and tell people to not disturb them. These tasks could have been done before starting, instead of being interruptions. Student felt drained and took a nap."

Evidence Based Practices for Learning Success*

1. Show up for class.
2. Chunk it:  Spaced repetition: Sleep between chunks of learning.
3. Do the homework & quizzes: Low stakes Testing: Take quizzes available.  Make up a quiz.
4. Find a comfortable note taking style.  If you are missing things, ask permission to record lectures to fill in notes.
5. If you have questions, write them down and ask after class. The instructor might answer your question later in the lecture.
6. Teach to learn: You learn better if you expect to need to teach it to someone else later. Practice teaching an imaginary friend! Or a potted plant with a happy face mask.
7. If you miss something on a test, find out what the correct answer is!
8. Let your teacher get to know you. If the teacher knows who you are, and they know you are trying, they will usually go out of their way to help you learn. 

*Note: Not everything works for everyone. You need to discover what works best for you.

Enable yourself to overcome disabling barriers through research & practice. 

If you are struggling, there may be something holding you back. For example, many people have learning issues that they are not aware they have! The difficulties may only show up in specific settings. There are people and resources to help you succeed.