Question 1:

“Deep learning” is a concept that runs throughout the Bain book, beginning with Chapter 2: What Makes You an Expert? Is deep learning always the best option, as Bain suggests? Make a compelling argument using facts and details from the text. Share a specific example from your life or from the text of a time when deep learning yielded success and, if you wish, a counterexample of when deep learning was not the best option.

Question 2:

Introduced in Chapter 3: Managing Yourself, Dr. Ken Bain frequently uses the term “mindfulness” (often in contrast to “mindlessness”). What does he mean by this term? How can understanding our biases lead to a more mindful existence? Illustrate your response with one reference to a character from the text and one reference to your own experiences with bias.

Question 3:

Dr. Ken Bain comments, “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 and explain how they can help you succeed in your specific educational journey.

Question 4:

What is the connection between self-compassion and dealing with failure? Share an example from the text or your life of either (a) when self-compassion was beneficial (or would have been beneficial) when dealing with a challenge, or (b) when self-compassion was not effective in dealing with a situation and propose an alternative to Kristin Neff’s self-compassion model.

Question 5:

One of the core concepts of “What Best College Students Do” relates to the idea that successful college students “take control over their own education.” Using an example of a character in the text, what does Bain mean by “taking control over your own education”?

Book: What the Best College Students Do by Ken Bain