Counselling approaches to increasing students' learning competence

Learning competence is a comprehensive term which encompasses study skills, relevant interpersonal skills, and absence of debilitating achievement anxiety. 721 first year university freshmen were asked about the areas in which they felt more and less competent as learners. A factor analysis of their responses suggested eight areas of learning competence including: planning, organising and effective use of study time; effective reading and memorising; interpersonal relations and ability to obtain study help; and examinations. Ways in which counsellors can assist students with these varying learning concerns are reviewed, and it is suggested that more attention be paid in schools and colleges to professional approaches and structures for increasing student learning competence.