By Ferdinand Avila-Medina, Learning Specialist
What is the Four Girders Framework?
The Four Girders Framework is my approach to helping students. Nothing original. This is a simplified way of explaining four core areas directl
What is a girder?
Why girders?
Honestly, I don’t have a huge imagination. Most good metaphors are already taken (bridge to success is a very common one). But I like bridges, girder bridges in particular. In a girder
What are the Four Girders
As mentioned before, I believe the fundamentals for academic success can be organized in four core areas. These four areas are Self-regulation, Life Balance, Learning Strategies, and Resources. All these areas are integrated. They don’t work in silos. Each, play a significant role; and combined, they create the structure needed for academic success.
- Girder #1: Self-regulation – Self-regulation involves understanding the impact of self-efficacy and confidence. Your beliefs play a significant role in your success. And those beliefs could impact your motivation. Girder #1 also requires managing your motivation levels consistently and developing the ability to set effective and meaningful goals.
- Girder #2: Life Balance – Life Balance is the second girder and it has three components: managing time, setting priorities, and taking care of your personal wellbeing. It is important to understand the value of time and learning how to calculate the amount of work and effort needed to be successful. It also involves dealing with the challenges created by procrastination and establishing priorities that lead to success. But remember, above all you are a human being first. You must build strong physical and mental health habits to sustain the emotional and mental health balance required to achieve success.
- Girder #3: Learning Strategies – Being a successful learner requires knowledge about how people learn. What does it actually mean to learn? What are the biggest barriers to learning? Effective learning depends on engagement and being active. But it also demands a positive attitude and passion for deep learning and understanding. Planning and monitoring are important factors as well, and so is mastering the traditionally called study techniques,
like: effective reading, taking notes, test-taking strategies, etc. - Girder #4: Resources – In many instances, being a successful student implies seeking help and support. While being an independent, self-regulated learner is the goal, the process to get there is more manageable when support is requested and provided. Most institutions offer a variety of academic support services to their students (tutoring, writing labs or centers, dedicated Math support, Supplemental Instruction, academic coaching, and more). You need to get familiar with all the services available at your institution. You can also benefit from building relationships. Finding a study partner, joining or creating study groups are great forms of learning. Your professors and instructors are also a great source of knowledge and help. Get to know them and try to learn from them outside of the classroom as well. Finally, technology provides great tools and opportunities to enhance your learning experience. Modern technologies can be the origin of many distractions, but they are also powerful tools for learning. On this site, we share plenty of them.