studying

Some Things You (My Students) Need to Know About Asking Questions

2 Jan 2022

Many have said that wisdom does not consist in having the right answers but in asking the right questions. This means that the highest expression of wisdom is the perfectly formed question. We remember Socrates for this. Similarly, Confucius once said wisdom is not having knowledge but knowing that you do not know—the natural starting point, one would think, for being an “asker” rather than an “answerer.”    Perhaps for this reason, this essence of wisdom—that

By Dr. Tom Vierra | | In Word on the Hill | Read more

Preparing for Exam Season

11 Nov 2021

Does exam time loom before you like a dark cloud, a season of student life when the sun does not shine until you emerge from the other side?  Here is my advice: Don’t study for exams! That is to say, don’t start preparing for exams by diving right into studying. Cramming doesn’t work. Instead, plan to light your path through exam time by first considering three priorities: when to review, how to review and what

By Ranya Bailey | | In Word on the Hill | Read more

How to Become a Successful Student

15 Oct 2021

I like to ask students, “What does a student do?” Most commonly, they reply,  “Students study.  Students learn.” Then I like to ask what activities students must do to make that learning happen. In other words, what are the habits of a successful student?  I use a framework of five categories to help students address the varied aspects of student life that need to be part of their routine: workspace management, task management, reading practices,

By Ranya Bailey | | In Word on the Hill | Read more

Worrying about final grades? Advice from three teachers

Advice for worrying about grades13 May 2021

Love them or hate them, grades are an important part of the learning experience.  Although an imperfect measurement, grades provide valuable information about comprehension, mastery and areas that need improvement.  But so often, a healthy desire for diligent learning becomes an unhealthy fixation on getting good grades. This can drive students to unhealthy levels of worry and a shift in how they understand the real purpose of education. Grade-focused learning becomes less about seeking to

By Wilson Hill | | In Word on the Hill | Read more

Majoring on the majors: How we approach final exams at Wilson Hill

29 Apr 2021

Exam season is upon us, bringing with it much anticipation. Of course, the end of exams marks the beginning of summer, and it also represents a rewarding opportunity for students to see the fruit of their hard work.  Yet we know that exam season can also bring undue stress and dread. Students may feel overwhelmed by assignments and the never-ending need to study. Given our culture’s emphasis on test grades as a measure of one’s

By Wilson Hill | | In Word on the Hill | Read more

Five Ideas for Boosting Productivity

3 Dec 2020

  With exam week soon approaching, many students will begin spending precious hours reviewing texts and notes, seeking to both understand the material and earn a good grade. But let’s face it: studying and writing can be daunting. Many students face innumerable distractions, the pressure to multitask and the inevitable (and sometimes frustrating) need to review materials over and over again. Productivity often feels elusive.   If this describes how you feel when sitting down to

By Wilson Hill | | In Word on the Hill | Read more