Deep Approach
You attempt to make sense of what is to be learnt, which consists of ideas and concepts. This involves thinking, seeking integration between components and between tasks, and 'playing' with ideas.

• Leads to understanding
• Is the ability to determine interrelationships and to apply underlying principles
• Implies a capacity to transfer thinking and performance to other situations
• Is long lasting
  

Strategic Approach
This is where you elect to use a surface approach in a strategic way, in order to manage an aspect of the learning environment e.g. volume of work or lack of interest in a subject, despite being able to use the deep approach.

Surface Approach
You reduce what is to be learnt to the status of unconnected facts to be memorised. The learning task is to reproduce the subject matter at a later date.

• Learning by rote
• Depends on memory rather than understanding
• Can only be applied in a situation identical to the one initially encountered
• Does not last

Lack of Direction
You have no real focus and have a passive approach to your studies.

Academic Self-confidence
You believe in your own ability to cope with your studies and feel happy with your position on the course so far.