Striving for Excellence in College: Tips for Active Learning

For the uninitiated, the lead author of this particular book (i.e. Neil Browne) is actually the same author of `Asking the Right Questions (ARQ): A Guide to Critical Thinking', which has gone through seven editions to become, I believe, a highly successful critical thinking guide for students. Its primary focus is critical analysis & synthesis of information. If you have read the ARQ book, then reading this particular book is quite a breeze. In a nutshell, & with the deliberate merging of two synonymous areas - `critical thinking' with `active learning' -, this book strives to improve your mental performance in college. In essence, it strives to help you to become a strategic learner. A strategic learner always pursues excellence in his/her learning. He/she also always thinks through what he/she has learned. The authors have very skillfully elaborated & artfully illustrated the pursuit of excellence in learning along the following three premises: - your attitude affect your learning; - your focus on knowledge about how to learn more effectively; - your role in maximizing the external environment; Under these three premises, the book chapters have been laid out as follows: - Taking charge of your own learning (Chapter 2); - Resisting the need to be entertained (Chapter 3); - Resisting mental habits that interfere with active learning (Chapter 4); - Taking pride in doubt (Chapter 5); - Asking questions to help make sense of the reasoning (Chapter 6); - Asking questions to evaluate the reasoning (Chapter 7); - Asking questions that make connections (Chapter 8); - Preparing for class where active learning takes place (Chapter 9); - Taking notes for active learning (Chapter 10); - Searching for clarity in texts, lectures, discussion & assignments (Chapter 11); - Finding peers who respect active learning (Chapter 12); - Adjusting to professors who seem not to encourage active learning (Chapter 13); - Discovering multiple perspectives (Chapter 14); As you can see from the chapter layout, there is natural progression as you learn & build on skills & knowledge, starting from the first chapter. The author is very generous with expert tips. I find them very practical indeed, even for working professionals. There is also quick review box at the end of each chapter. For students, this is definitely a very good book to have with you. This book is targeted at college students. I want to add that it is also useful for any adult pursuing academic work. The authors' approach in writing this book is commendable: firstly, they give you a self-assessment; then help you to identify potential obstacles as you negotiate through college; & then, show you how to overcome them & finally, provide you with many possible solutions (tips) so that you can choose the ones that you think will work for you. Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 are superbly written, as most of the materials have been drawn from the lead author's earlier work. For the student, Chapt

Excellent! This book is a wonderfully detailed guide for achieving college success. Returning to college after several years was intimidating, but this book provided step-by-step instructions for overcoming self-doubt and becoming a better student. Everything from taking notes, to surrounding yourself with folks who are also serious about learning is discussed and explained. I bought this book two years ago, and I'm graduating from undergrad and on my way to gradschool! The tips and suggestions definitely made me a better student. This is a great book for anyone who wants to get the most out of their college experience.

After reading Browne & Keeley's ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, I was intrigued. When I confronted STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE, I bought and read it, anticipating the same intellectual motivation I gained from ARQ. Without a doubt, STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE did anything but disappoint me.In a society where education is undervalued and few students wish to make anything exceptional of their minds, STRIVING really stands out. I am used to college "survival guides" filled with tips as ridiculous as, "Go to class." or "Try not to cram ten chapters the night before the exam." Such books do nothing for a student who wishes not only to "survive" (almost anyone can do that), but also to excel. STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE, on the other hand, provides tips that engaged learners can benefit from. For example, rather than encouraging students to take notes ONLY on the "important" material (meaning material that ! will be on the test), Browne and Keeley encourage students to take notes that enable them to make new connections with other topics discussed in the class, as well as in other classes. Students who follow these tips will not only leave college with a superb GPA, but also with an elevated understanding of the world around them.The tips withing STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE have enabled me to leave even the most poorly-taught college classes with something worth having. Additionally, the tips help to make classes more interesting. All in all, STRIVING has proved to be an important addition to my college experience. I have found it interesting, useful, and motivating. This book should be on ALL freshman reading lists.