Learning Strategies in Higher Education is a Western Governors University course in the Foundations of Success area of several health degrees, including Health and Human Services and Health Information Management.
WGU describes it as a toolbox of skills for academic growth: using the WGU Library, research strategy, professional written communication, current APA format, goal setting, time management, study strategies, professionalism and test-taking.
It is usually met in the first term, carries 4 competency units in WGU's Health and Human Services degree plan, and has no prerequisites. The difficulty is not the content. It is turning general advice into a specific plan and showing real skill with sources and citation, in a self-paced setting where nobody sets weekly deadlines for you.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | D389 |
| Level | Undergraduate, first term |
| Credit | 4 competency units in the Health and Human Services plan |
| Prerequisites | None, per WGU |
| Subject area | Study skills, information literacy, academic writing |
| Typical work | Course planning, research and citation tasks, professional communication |
What D389 Covers
| Competency (WGU wording, summarized) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Apply self-directed strategies to advance organizational skills and lifelong learning | Setting goals, planning your time and keeping appointments with your instructor |
| Apply research strategies and technology literacy to gather information from reliable sources | Searching the WGU Library, judging source quality and recording references |
| Apply critical thinking and cultural awareness in writing | Writing clearly, respectfully and with reasoned support |
| Apply professionalism to problem-solving strategies in a given context | Handling workplace and study situations with sound judgment and professional conduct |
WGU also asks you to begin by discussing your course planning tool report with your instructor and building a personalized course plan together.
Key Concepts Explained
A Study Plan That Is Specific Enough to Follow
General statements such as "manage my time better" cannot be checked. A plan names fixed study blocks, a weekly target, where you will study and what you will do when you fall behind.
Illustrative example: "Study Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for ninety minutes each, finishing one competency section per week. If I miss a session, I move it to the next free evening and tell my instructor if I miss two in a row." This can be tested against a calendar. A vague goal cannot.
Finding and Judging Sources
Reliable sources are usually peer-reviewed articles, official government or professional body reports and books from academic publishers. Check authorship, date, evidence and purpose. Use library databases rather than the open web for scholarly material, and note each source as you find it.
Citing in APA
APA style requires a brief in-text citation (author and year) matched by a full entry in the reference list. Common errors are missing entries, mismatched years and formatting titles incorrectly. Build the reference as you write rather than at the end.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
The exact tasks depend on the current course version, so use your own instructions. Common patterns are below.
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Course plan or study plan | Self-direction and time management | Use real dates, hours and goals tied to your degree |
| Library research exercise | Finding reliable sources | Record search terms, databases used and why each source is credible |
| Short written piece with citations | Writing and APA | Plan an outline, cite as you go, and proofread references |
| Professionalism scenario | Problem-solving and conduct | Identify the issue, options, the best action and the reason |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Generic advice. Evaluators look for personal, specific plans, not a list of study tips copied from a website.
- Weak evidence of research. Show your process and the quality of the sources, not only the final list.
- APA slips. Mismatched in-text citations and references are easy marks to lose.
- Underestimating a first course. It sets habits for the whole degree, so treat it seriously.
Making the Plan Realistic
Test your plan against a normal week. Add work, family and rest to a calendar first, then place study blocks in what is left. A plan that ignores real commitments fails in week two. Add one fallback for each risk you can already name, such as a busy month at work or a family event.
Competency-based learning rewards steady progress. Short, regular sessions usually beat occasional long ones, and it helps to review your progress weekly and adjust. Mentioning how you will do that review shows the self-direction the first competency describes.
Study Tips for D389
- Meet your instructor early and use their feedback on your plan.
- Practice one database search before the task, so the real search is not your first.
- Keep a running reference list in a single document.
- Read the rubric before writing and tick each line afterwards.
- Reuse the plan you write here to run the rest of your degree.
How We Help with D389
Send the instructions, rubric and your draft or notes. A writer can review structure, tighten APA formatting, show a custom plan or search record, or help you turn general ideas into specific commitments.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with WGU. Our help is a study and reference aid. Because this course measures your own study skills, the plan and research must be yours; we support with feedback and models, and you submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity policy.
Orders are written from scratch with free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late.
Get Your D389 Write-up in Shape
Share the prompt and your draft. We review structure, APA citations and clarity so you can see what a strong response looks like.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. WGU uses it in several health-related degrees. Other WGU degrees have their own first-term success courses.
WGU's Health and Human Services degree plan lists it at 4 competency units in term 1.
No, WGU states there are none.
Self-directed strategies, research and technology literacy, critical thinking and cultural awareness in writing, and professionalism in problem-solving.
Yes. WGU's description says it covers correct use of current APA format.
No. The plan should reflect your own life and goals. We offer feedback, models and editing support, and you submit your own work.