Teaching Commons > Teaching Guides > How Students Learn > Help Students Learn to Learn
It is easy to assume that our students already know how to learn, because they have been in school for so long. But attending school does not necessarily translate into being effective, self-directed learners. Helping students improve their learning and study skills is an excellent way to help them succeed not only in your course but as lifelong learners.
Consider demonstrating your own learning, research and study practices for your students. This approach has the added benefit of providing an opportunity to connect with your students.
Remind students of the wonderful resources provided to help them modify and improve their learning habits. DePaul’s
Student Success website is a great place to start.
Some methods are found to improve test performance and long-term retention across domains and disciplines. The article “What Works, What Doesn’t” from
Scientific American Mind provides a few salient points on how to maximize study-retention and efficacy: