Review Questions:
Question 1:
Dr. Ken Bain suggests, "No one can guarantee your long-term success in any sense of the word, but you can equip yourself with the skills for lifelong learning and adaptability, no matter what surprises the future has in store for you." Describe 2-3 skills or strategies Bain identifies as being critical for student success in college.
Question 2:
"Deep learning" is a concept that runs through the Bain book. What is deep learning? What are the benefits to be realized from deep learning? Does deep learning apply to all situations? What are some educational practices that encourage surface and strategic learning while discouraging deep learning?
Question 3:
What does Bain mean by "messy problems"? Although the name implies negativity, Bain would say that they exert a positive effect on the individual. Please explain and be as explicit as you can.
Question 4:
Chapter 3 in What the Best College Students Do is titled "Managing Yourself." What does Bain mean to "manage yourself"? How is this management to be accomplished? Hint: This does not refer to time management. Please be sure to illustrate your essay with concepts and examples from Bain and/or class discussion.
Question 5:
According to Bain, what are extrinsic and intrinsic motivators? How do they differ? What is the relationship between these types of motivation and their relationship to the success of college students?
Question 6:
According to Bain, failure or disappointment can have a positive effect on the individual. Please explain this seemingly contradictory statement. Give specific examples from class discussion and/or the text.
Question 7:
In his discussion of "Liberal Arts," Bain holds that an individual majoring in a Liberal Arts discipline, (defined as all of those disciplines listed under the "humanities," "social sciences," and ‘physical sciences") is an excellent choice to make. Please explain.
Question 8:
Despite what Bain says about grades, why are they important? Bain writes that "high grades, by themselves, don't tell us much." Why does he say this?
Question 9:
What are our three brains and their functions? How can understanding their functions assist you in your studies?
Question 10:
What is stereotype threat? What are the three differ types of biases discussed in What the Best College Students Do? How can understanding our biases lead to a more mindful existence?
Question 11:
Bain frequently uses the term "mindfulness" (often in contrast to "mindlessness"). What does he mean by this term?
Question 12:
Early in chapter two, Bain identifies three types of learners. What are they? What are some educational practices that encourage each type of learner?
Question 13:
When does expectation failure occur and how can expectation failure help us grow?
Question 14:
What is a fixed mindset? What is a growth mindset? Can our mindsets change throughout our lives?
Question 15:
What is the value of general education (gen ed) classes, according to Bain?
Question 16:
Why did Kristin Neff decide that self-compassion made more sense than self-esteem? Explain self-compassion.
Question 17:
In chapter 8, Bain discusses the factors important for a good learning experience. Discuss three or four that you have seen in this class or in your other classes at BC.
Question 18:
What does Bain mean by "taking control over your own education"? Explain this concept and provide three strategies that you can use to take control over your own education.
Question 19:
In Chapter 8, Bain examines reading strategies, study tips, and writing tips. Discuss three strategies you have used and explain how well they worked. If you haven't used any, which do you plan to use?
Question 20:
What were some of the critical aspects of the class that was taught by Paul Baker? How can you apply these aspects to your own learning?