LaChance Library: Learning Success Guide: Strategies for Thinking, Learning, and Writing: Home: Learning Success

Introduction: Learning Success Center

Introduction: Strategies for Learning Success

At the MWCC Learning Success Center, we envision a physical and digital space where you, the student, are empowered to become an agent in your own learning.

In the MWCC Learning Success Center, you will

discover new styles and strategies for learning,
apply new learning styles and strategies to content, and
reflect on how those discoveries and applications expand your ability to learn more.

College success begins with learning how to be a learner and maximizing your learning strategies to make the best use of your time. Strong learners

organize their resources and knowledge through calendars, active reading, and note-taking activities;
exercise a range of learning styles (visual, auditory, reading, and kinesthetic) and use them in conjunction with each other to learn different types of content;
employ an adaptable approach to learning, exchanging old strategies that don't work for new ones, changing strategies to increase their effectiveness; and above all
believe that anything can be learned if they have strategies and approaches that work.

You can learn to be a successful learner, and the tools and resources here will help you on that path!

Learning is an ongoing process ... and so is this site.

We have a lot of information here already, but we know there's always more to find, share, and learn. If you think of something we should try and find, create, and share, or if you would like to contribute your own materials, please contact the Learning Success Center at lsc@mwcc.mass.edu, or stop by the Center. We're located in LaChance Library.

Walk-In ...

We offer walk-in, face-to-face consultations in math, writing, and select other subjects Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm in LaChance Library. You can just walk in and we will work with you as availability permits. See the schedule below and click on any event to see the details of that person's location.

Disciplinary learning consultants may use a "round-robin" approach, moving frequently between and among students. They may also work with students in a group session.
Writing consultants may use a similar approach, but depending on the student, more focused time is often required. Therefore, you may wish to set an appointment for a writing consultation.
NOTE: 1:1 consultations are not guaranteed. Based on demand, you may end up in a group or round-robin consultation.

... Or Schedule an Appointment

All online consultants require an appointment. To set your appointment:

e-mail lsc@mwcc.mass.edu, or
call 978-630-9333. Leave a detailed message with your name, student ID, and the consultant or discipline, days, and times you request, or
visit the Learning Success Center in LaChance Library.

Please provide at least 48 hours prior notification. Not all subjects are available at all times.

Current Schedule

Please note that if a course/consultant you are looking for is not on this list, they are not available.

When You Want to Talk about Learning After Hours ...

ThinkingStorm is an alternative to MWCC Learning consultations. If the Learning Success Center does not have a consultant for the subject matter needed, or if you want to talk about learning after hours, ThinkingStorm is your go-to! It is accessible through all course BlackBoard pages. Below are two videos with more detailed instructions on accessing ThinkingStorm and setting up a live virtual appointment!

Grit, Growth Mindset, and Universal Design for Learning

Three major concepts and theories drive the work we do: Grit, Growth Mindset, and Universal Design for Learning. We can apply these principles in nearly any learning interaction to help most students develop strategies for learning and content knowledge.

Here are two TED Talks that discuss Growth Mindset. In the first video (6:12), Angela Duckworth explains the concept of Grit as a feature of success that is perhaps more important than IQ or income, tying it to the one potentially good way of developing grit--Growth Mindset. Second, Carol Dweck explains Growth Mindset in a 9:37 video.

Now that you understand the approach we think everyone should take, here's a bit about Universal Design for Learning. These videos, each at approximately 2:30, give you a basic overview.

For your learning consultation, our staff will want to know how you learn best--what approaches, styles, and activities you like to use or do--so that we can tailor our time together to best suit you.

LSC Slides

Slides you will see at the LSC when coming to visit!

Become a Learning Consultant!

It may seem like semantics, but there’s a big difference between how people think of tutors as opposed to consultants. People may consider tutors as experts, much like their course instructors. They may think of someone who is in charge of learning. Finally, they may resist working with a tutor because it feels like they have a deficiency, like something is wrong. None of these things are true about tutors, but culturally, it’s what people often expect. For that reason, we use the term Consultant or Learning Consultant.

The consultant knows more content and can help you learn how to learn, but they do not have the final word on any activity or assignment—they are not your course instructor. And the consultant is not in charge of your learning—you are. Lastly, the consultant is your sounding board, not your mechanic or a doctor in the ER. They give you feedback on your ideas and prompt you to push and to question further, but there is nothing about you that is broken or in need of fixing when it comes to learning. There is only learning more about how to learn and applying what you learn.

Everyone learns different materials at different speeds. We all have different tools and strategies and can always learn more. We all need other learners to help us understand what we are doing and how we can grow, whether we are satisfied or dissatisfied with our work.

Mount Wachusett Community College employs three classifications of consultants who work in the Learning Success Center:

Professional Learning Consultant: This position is for applicants who have completed at least a bachelor's degree in a subject area. Apply here.
Paraprofessional Learning Consultant: Applicants who have not yet completed a bachelor's degree, should apply here. Note that a 3.0 minimum GPA and completion of 12 college credits is required. Apply here.

Contact the Learning Success Center to discuss any of these available opportunities.

Helpful information:

Professional and Paraprofessional Learning Consultant are “open pool” positions, which means you can apply at any time and when a new consultant is needed, we will review the pool and interview qualified applicants.
Consultants work an average of 10-15 hours a week throughout the regular academic year with limited hours during breaks.
Consultants are often employed in other areas of the college as well. Please note that faculty are not permitted to be consultants for their own classes.
Current MWCC students are permitted to use this form to obtain faculty references.

Get Involved

A great way to build your own learning community beyond the LSC is to engage the larger MWCC campus community.

Get involved in a club or activity and get to know folks with similar interests and hobbies. Check out the Student Life website.
Add Service Learning to your resume and meet others with similar commitments via the Brewer Center.

You're Not Alone

Sometimes life gets in the way and you just need to talk with someone who can help.

Contact Counseling Services.
Call the 24/7 Support Line at 833-434-1217 or visit bewellthemount.com
Call the National Emergency Mental Health Line: 988
Call Campus Police: On campus call 1111; Off campus call 978-630-9111