We are here to help you to plan, manage your time and organize your semester, make useful notes (from your textbooks and lectures), prepare for exams and more.
The Learning Strategist (formally the Learning Specialist), as part of Learning Support Services at CapU, can support you by providing ways to explore how you learn (i.e., What is working? What needs improvement?) and then work with you to design ways to trial learning strategies that can support your growth as a learner.
These strategies will help you to improve how you study. They may include offering new ways to approach your course materials (reading and note taking skills development), guiding you towards creating a plan and using your time efficiently and effectively (time management), retaining what you are learning for use on assignments and tests (memory and active learning techniques) and/or breaking habits that are not working for you as you strive towards your learning goals.
The Learning Strategist is here to offer you diverse ways to become a stronger learner and to support you while you find what works best for you. They give you the tools, by way of strategies, and you use them. If you find that they are not quite right for your learning, you have an opportunity to work together to explore other options.
We want you to be successful!
Meet our Learning Strategist
Melissa D'Agostino
Learning Strategist
Melissa holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Education from the University of Victoria, along with a Master’s of Education in Counselling Psychology from UNBC. Melissa's expertise lies in providing executive function learning supports that are trauma-informed and neurodiverse affirming.
At the core of Melissa's practice and approach is her commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment, where shared vulnerability and curiosity drive learning, discovery and growth. She endeavors to create a space where students feel empowered to actively shape their educational goals and journey.
Through personalized consultations, engaging workshops, and innovative programs, Melissa offers a diverse array of strategies aimed at enhancing study skills, time management, critical thinking and metacognitive awareness.
Whether it's mastering effective note-taking or honing exam preparation and self-management techniques, Melissa equips students with the confidence, skills and resilience needed to navigate university life successfully.
Appointment info
Appointments are 50 minutes and can be in person or virtual (MS Teams). Click on "Book an Appointment" above for appointment availability. If you are experiencing challenges booking online, please call our Learning Support Services team member at 604 984-1744.
Did you know that anyone — other students, staff and faculty — can refer student to our services? Please consider referring students to the Learning Strategist for support in developing their learning strategies and approaches.
The Learning Strategist is currently working on asynchronous workshops, via eLearn, that can act as standalone workshops or workshops that are embedded in your eLearn shells that can support students study skills development 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This project has an anticipated launch of May 2022.
Depending upon students' needs, the Learning Strategist can also provide customized presentations or workshops, ranging from 15-45 minutes, to support your students with course-specific learning/study skills development. Every effort is made to use the students' course materials and assignments to develop their learning processes and the skill being taught.
Faculty can consult the Learning Strategist on learning issues that are identified in courses.
These consultations may result in tailored workshops, referral to pre-existing workshops, resource referral and/or resource development that will help students adapt their techniques to get more from their learning experiences at CapU. There may also be an opportunity (or need) to work together with our colleagues in the Centre for Teaching Excellence to ensure students' success.