Sociologist tells audience to learn their learning style

By Emily Couchman/reporter

Garrison Henderson, sociology associate professor, kicked off a second day of Student Success Seminars on SE Campus Sept. 14.

Henderson led the learning seminar Best Way to an A: Knowing Your Learning Style. 

“You have to take what you do seriously, whether anyone else does or not,” he said.

Henderson said because people have different ways of learning, not all students will understand what allows them to comprehend and retain.

By realizing the strategies that work with their particular learning style, students can maximize their potential and boost their grades.

TCC students have numerous labs, tutors and computers with endless information at their fingertips. It is the student’s responsibility, Henderson said, to take advantage of those privileges.

He said students need to take care of themselves, finding a healthy way to deal with the academic stress so many discover once they start college.

Exercising, taking a power nap or just relaxing can do wonders in helping students retain information, he said.

Henderson also advised becoming an active participant in the classroom.

“Students who ask questions and remain an active member of the classroom tend to better retain and comprehend the material presented,” he said.

According to a learning pyramid he shared, as few as 5 percent of students retain solely from the lecture alone. Less than 30 percent retain from reading, audio, visual or demonstration.

It isn’t until the introduction of discussion groups, real-world applications and teaching others that the percentages in retention show a significant increase, he said.

Because everyone is different, Henderson said students must figure out for themselves what will make them successful.

“If a professor can teach you how to think, they don’t have to worry about you anymore,” he said.