Academic Success Skills
New Students Only
It is often hard to really digest these ideas without some exposure to college. Context helps, and high school and JUCO are really not the same. So here is our recommendation... Do check out the links. Learn as much as possible. Then after gaining some experience and seeing how K-State works, review the material again. You should see more clearly how some strategies might be applied. You might even find some overlooked gems.
Three Fundamentals
Are you ready to start learning? Great! Here are three ideas to get you started. They help frame the tips and techniques linked below.
- There is no substitute for hard work. You've probably heard the saying WORK SMARTER - NOT HARDER. That saying captures a useful idea... really the whole idea behind study strategies. However, the imperative verb in the cliche is still WORK. Doing it smarter just enhances your ability to get good results.
- Everybody is different. What works for you may not work for somebody else. You may have to experiment to figure out what best suits your learning style and intellectual aptitudes. The subject matter makes a difference too. Techniques that work for Philosophy of Art & Literature may not work for Calculus I (and vice versa).
- Get interested. Young boys successfully memorize endless statistics about baseball and fighter planes... just because they're fascinated. Put that same principle to work in your academic life! Learning comes easier when you fan that spark of curiosity.
Resource links
Here are some of our favorite websites regarding academic performance. Although some of their advice overlaps, that should not suprise you. It only underscores which strategies are most crucial for academic success!
K-State Resources
Online resources about writing
These links were assembled by Arts & Sciences and might help anyone wanting to improve
their writing skills.
Some helpful hints from Freshman Seminar
Written for new students in DAS 100: Freshman Seminar, this page offers really solid
advice about academic life at K-State. Some crucial ideas are discussed.
Academic assistance
This information is maintained by the Academic Assistance Center, and although it
is not really a study skills site, it still seems appropriate to highlight here as
a useful tool for academic success.
University Counseling Services: Topics
In addition to the valuable info on personal and lifestyle issues that you might
expect from UCS, they also offer great information on Academic and Stress-Related
Issues (including time management and study strategies).
The Rest of the World
Study Guides and Strategies
Other university offer a wealth of good studying information: Virginia Tech , College of Saint Benedict and St John's University and/or Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo.
Sites to Promote Academic Success
Created by Linda Walsh at the University of Northern Iowa. This page has a lot of
information on successful time management, in addition to numerous other links.
Courses and Workshops
If you feel like more formalized instruction might be helpful, K-State does offer
several different formats. Courses such as DED 051: Study Skills Lab and EDSEC 502: College Learning Skills are sometimes available, particularly over intercession. EDCEP 502: Stress Management is offered occasionally. Some orientation classes such as DAS 100: Freshman Seminar and EDCEP 111: Enhanced University Experience also touch upon questions of academic success. Please consult with your academic
advisor if you think one of these courses might be for you. Your advisor can help
you weigh the pros and cons. You can also read the Undergraduate Catalog for summary
information and/or check the Line Schedule regarding availability.
University Counseling Services also offers workshops pertaining to a variety academic
success issues. This can be a good alternative to credit courses (which may not be
offered or may not have the right focus for your situation).