From Professor to S-O, Wrenn Proves His Theories

From a student to an expert on studying techniques--and back to a student again--is the brief history of Lt. C. Gilbert Wrenn, author of a number of books on studying technique, and now a member of the NTS.

Dr. Wrenn, former professor of the Psychology of Education at Minnesota, and teacher at Stanford, has not had to revise any of his theories on the best method of working for A's. In fact, he is glad of the opportunity to prove his ideas first hand, and finds that they work very well for him.

Pegging Down

He presents two cardinal points of good technique. "There are many unfamiliar concepts and new terms which we must grasp. I find it very helpful to peg down these unfamiliar ideas with ones I already know. Another trick which helps is what I call 'space studying'. This consists of working on one subject for a while, then taking up something else, and then going back to the original topic. Another period of time spent working on it is a good idea."

He must be considered right--because not only has he based his system on experiments with others, and general knowledge of the problem gained through 15 years of college personnel work, but now he has even had a chance to prove it himself. And that is an opportunity which does not often come to a professor. "I've proved them myself," he said.

This professor-turned student does not mind the transition from lecturing to note-taking. Though he refused to comment as to which of the two works harder, he did declare that "while a teacher works in spurts, a student works more consistently."

But the change is not only from the platform to the front row for the professor. For among the officers of the Faculty is one of his former students, and he, of course, requires a salute from his ex-teacher when on Harvard grounds. As a matter of fact, the ex-student has another laugh on his ex-adviser.

When the two were at Stanford, Dr. Wrenn continually advised his student to "get outdoors and take exercise. Build yourself up." The student must have smiled happily when he noted that Professor Wrenn flunked his physical efficiency test. But he has not flunked anything else, so if anyone is having trouble with his grades, all he needs to do is speak to the professor, who has evolved plans and personally tried them out.