Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff?

(3rd edition)

Chapter 1: Do I Really Need This Stuff?

Simply put, discipline is doing what you really dont want to do so you can do what you really want to do.

--John C. Maxwell

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Chapter Outcomes
Identify at least two study skill challenges that you have. Identify at least two study skill strengths that you have.

Explain how you can use your study skill strengths to minimize one of your study skill challenges. List at least five study skill topics covered in this book that you can use immediately.

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Arguments Against Study Skills Courses

Why do I need that? Thats a course for students with problems--not me! I am too smart for this course!

Why do I need this course? I do my homework every night. Isnt that studying?

My adviser made me take this course..

Sounds like an easy A!

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Challenges vs. Strengths

Challenges: Things which give you difficulties and problems, or which become obstacles. Strengths: Those things you do well.

Challenge

Overcoming Strength

Success

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

High School vs. College

High School
Course materials evolves over term.

College
Syllabus of entire course distributed on first day. Large lecture class sizes. Fewer grading opportunities. More freedom.

Smaller class sizes. Several grading opportunities. Less freedom.

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Large Lecture Size

Fewer Grading Chances

Study Strategies

Discipline

Syllabus on first day

More Freedom

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

What Are Study Skills

Study
Your personal effort to learn something.

Skill
Something you can do with a degree of expertise.

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Core Life Skill Principles

Critical Thinking

Power of Practice

Locus of Control
Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Gathering Information
Critical Thinking Determining Appropriateness

Weighing Accuracy

Making a Rational Decision

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

Power of Practice
Think

Practice
Reflect Use

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

10

Locus of Control
External Looks outside of self Blames others Internal Looks at self Accepts Responsibility

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

11

Work
Challenges Identify Challenge Change Behavior Strengths Understand Strengths Maintain Habits
Academic Success

Practical Skills

Student Success

Positive Self Image

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

12

Personal Covenant
I realize that my choices and actions reflect my priorities. I further recognize that my choices and actions affect my dreams, and personal well-being. I pledge to make choices during this term that reflect respect, responsibility, and honesty toward myself and others.

Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1

13

Chapter 1 Review
Effective study skills will help you discover the best ways for you to learn and excel on campus. You have strengths. Use them. You have challenges. Recognize them and work to minimize them. Use your critical thinking skills to exam your strengths and challenges. Practice strategies that will help you. Develop disciplined habits that will take you to the highest levels you can reach as a student.
Pearson Education, Inc. 2013, Piscitelli, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3e Ch 1
14