Originally published in 1981 fills an important gap by bringing together in a concise and readable form, research from Britain, the USA and elsewhere, and by discussing the curricular implications for staff who wish to assist their students to see meaning in their studies. It focuses on issues of general relevance, explores major research questions and outlines different methodologies and approaches. It discusses what is meant by ‘meaningful’ learning and describes typical learning tasks encountered by arts and science students. It looks at how students decide what to study on a course and how assessment demands shape both their perceptions of what'should be learned, and their study behaviour. As well as considering the ways in which students change and develop over their years in college, the book also discusses the relative importance of teaching and informal influences, such as the student peer group. This book attempts to provide a ‘state of the art’ review of the literature in a field of central concern for all who prepare students for, or work within, higher education.