On Course, Study Skills: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life

ON COURSE: STRATEGIES FOR CREATING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE, STUDY SKILLS PLUS EDITION will engage you with the tools you need to take charge of your success in college and in life. As you learn new strategies, you will have the opportunity to practice applying new skills to solve academic challenges. With improved critical and creative problem solving you will be able to achieve greater success in all parts of your life. You can practice new skills using the case studies, and then work towards creating your very own academic skills plan. A self-assessment tool at the beginning of the text helps you to identify behaviors and beliefs you may wish to change in order to achieve more of your potential. You have an opportunity to revisit your self-assessment at the conclusion of the text. Guided journal entries help you develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem.

Skip Downing is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University. He holds advanced degrees in both English and counseling psychology. He was professor of English at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) for 32 years. In addition to his role as an academic instructor, Dr. Downing created and coordinated BCCC's Student Success and Learning Community Programs. These programs teach students how to apply proven success strategies to achieve their full potential in college and in life. The College Success Program resulted in a significant increase in both student academic success and retention. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Dr. Downing's teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is to empower its students to live rich, fulfilling lives. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for helping students become active, responsible partners in their education and achieve greater success in college and in life.