College Study Skills

Regrettably, many college study skills are little more than high school study skills that students never learned. Things such as basic note taking, outlining, pre-writing, and drafting ought to be well in hand by the time a graduating high school senior reaches college. Many even argue that such skills should be taught at the middle school level instead, reasoning that it's never too early to begin good habits.

The sad truth is, however, lots of incoming college freshmen have never learned to manage their time, hone their test taking abilities, or organize their long term projects. Rather, they make the most of the limited skill set they have, which often means forcing square pegs into round holes. One can only imagine what it's like to map out an entire college semester's worth of goals if one has never mastered the principle of goal-setting in the first place!

Better Late Than Never

When it comes to acquiring new skills of any kind, the old adage "better late than never" applies. Students who achieved a passably good high school record are in a fine position to learn and apply college-level study skills, provided they're motivated to do so. At this point in their education, their incentive must come from within, not from the prodding of parents and teachers.

Of all the skills that will serve a new collegian most, those related to writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking are likely to carry them the farthest. The three are inextricably tied to one another, as strong writing hinges on clear thinking as well as strong reading and retention skills. Solid reasoning and analytical skills can often provide college students with the mysterious "key" that's needed to unlock higher levels of understanding.