Ken Bain, Author and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia's book What the Best College Students Do, is an motivating study compiled of the testimonials of the collegiate experience of some of the world's most innovative and accomplished individuals.
The book emphasizes that intelligence is expandable not fixed, and encourages students to 'make the connection' across disciplines. Also, to reflect and take time to internally process what they believe and value. He terms this as Meta Cognitive Understanding. The process of self-discovery is one each student or individual should take time to do. It is hard to understand who you are and what you are meant to do without going through the process of self-discovery. Having a sense of purpose was another factor these 'best college' students shared with one another. The book also focused on changing how we view failures. Students should not feel demoralized by failures but rather an opportunity for growth. Traditionally we have all been governed by the conventional notions of success, and having been so trained many fear taking risk. He admonishes not to think of success as one normally would, but rather to have a curiosity for a deep meaningful learning experience.
A deep meaningful learning experience will bring about an integration of understanding of different disciplines for the student. The student becoming acquainted with their work progress and discovering their own creative mind is essential as well for growth. Growth and discovering the 'dynamic' power of the mind and how to utilize this power coupled with life experiences is at the core of the integrated self. This growth and learning experience reaches beyond the standard academic grades and grade point average.
This experience leads to discovering exactly what the student will be able to offer the world. Students should examine and reflect on what they can bring to the table. It shouldn't take long to realize that whatever it is is rooted in the 'soil' and 'family' they have come from. With all of the passion and curiosity life can bring life also has a way of bringing you to that full circle moment. The moment one realizes every experience has been in preparation for what they bring to the table and the world.
Being in awe of the endless possibilities life has to offer and searching for where one fits in brings about a determination not necessarily measured by test scores. Developing critical thinking skills, finding passion and expanding the mind are practices the best students focus their attention. Learning how to create, grow, expand and develop brings about a true transforming experience.
Bain's book is a perfect gift for any student on any level. It will give cause for a pause to evaluate the academic experience. It will encourage any student to take control of their own lives and reach within to explore who they really are and to unleash the power of their minds.
The book emphasizes that intelligence is expandable not fixed, and encourages students to 'make the connection' across disciplines. Also, to reflect and take time to internally process what they believe and value. He terms this as Meta Cognitive Understanding. The process of self-discovery is one each student or individual should take time to do. It is hard to understand who you are and what you are meant to do without going through the process of self-discovery. Having a sense of purpose was another factor these 'best college' students shared with one another. The book also focused on changing how we view failures. Students should not feel demoralized by failures but rather an opportunity for growth. Traditionally we have all been governed by the conventional notions of success, and having been so trained many fear taking risk. He admonishes not to think of success as one normally would, but rather to have a curiosity for a deep meaningful learning experience.
A deep meaningful learning experience will bring about an integration of understanding of different disciplines for the student. The student becoming acquainted with their work progress and discovering their own creative mind is essential as well for growth. Growth and discovering the 'dynamic' power of the mind and how to utilize this power coupled with life experiences is at the core of the integrated self. This growth and learning experience reaches beyond the standard academic grades and grade point average.
This experience leads to discovering exactly what the student will be able to offer the world. Students should examine and reflect on what they can bring to the table. It shouldn't take long to realize that whatever it is is rooted in the 'soil' and 'family' they have come from. With all of the passion and curiosity life can bring life also has a way of bringing you to that full circle moment. The moment one realizes every experience has been in preparation for what they bring to the table and the world.
Being in awe of the endless possibilities life has to offer and searching for where one fits in brings about a determination not necessarily measured by test scores. Developing critical thinking skills, finding passion and expanding the mind are practices the best students focus their attention. Learning how to create, grow, expand and develop brings about a true transforming experience.
Bain's book is a perfect gift for any student on any level. It will give cause for a pause to evaluate the academic experience. It will encourage any student to take control of their own lives and reach within to explore who they really are and to unleash the power of their minds.