The Elements of Learning by B. Banner, Jr., and C. Cannon

When entering college freshman students face difficulties by not knowing how to adjust to the new expectations college brings. A freshman student tends to approach college with the same mentality used throughout their high school years. But as the first semester start, they encounter a variety of challenges, including having to change their study habits and knowing how to wisely manage their time. The book “The Elements of Learning” by B. Banner, Jr., and C. Cannon, introduces the elements a student must possess in order be successful in college. The research made by my team, “Collin’s Angels”, will determine important factors for freshman success, and the changes that a student makes in order to succeed through the first year of college.

In the book “The Elements of Learning” by B. Banner, Jr., and C. Cannon, the authors introduce eleven different elements that characterize the different stages a student goes through before becoming successful. Industry became the first element introduced; industry represents hard work followed by diligence and persistence. A student must be willing to work hard in order to acquisitively allow the spirit of knowledge to be retained. The second element represents enthusiasm, but such element can best be described as finding something interesting, stimulating, or even entertaining. Meaning that the things you approach must be entertaining or must have something interesting that will be able to keep you focus. The third element, pleasure, represents the small, quiet and private satisfactions that come from your own abilities, and from what you bring into your work. Having pleasure means being proud of the achievements obtained from the individual’s hard work. The fourth element is cur...

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... important thing that I learned from this research project was that taking initiative represents having your own expectations and goals. A person must follow their dreams by relying on their own expectations that must be higher than those set by others. Although we gathered enough information from the research project, I believe that taking advantage of resources is essential in order to surpass the transition from high school to college. But if I could do something differently in the project, I would have encouraged my teammates to take breaks in order to be more relaxed and focused. The research project has been an immense experience that has changed my perspective in college, but mostly taught me valuable elements to become a successful freshman student.

Works Cited

B. Banner, J. a. (1999). The Elements of Learning. New York: the Kingsley Trust Association .