From the Back Cover
This text offers a contemporary, refreshing approach to traditional coverage of study skills. Concepts and strategies are presented in a context that helps you understand the broader, real-world applications for well-developed study skills. The premise of this book is that strong academic skills form the foundation necessary for your success in our competitive, global economy. This book offers knowledge and skills that build self-management, a positive work ethic, and leadership qualities: Identifying and using your preferred learning styles Goal setting Time management Flexibility in the face of change Ways to reduce stress Strategic thinking You will develop skills that help you fulfill your goals in school and, ultimately, in your career: Reading speed and comprehension Internet research skills Vocabulary skills Writing skills Math, science, and technology skills Unique features that underscore relevancy: Vocabulary exercises featuring words from current media excerpts Chapter summaries in a map format to stimulate visual learning A text-wide focus on how your study skills will help you on the job Keys to College Studying has its own companion website designed to help students review the text material and hone their computer skills. This site (accessed through www.prenhall.com/carter) resides within the Prentice Hall supersite (www.prenhall.com/success) for student success and career development. The supersite houses a wide array of resources for students seeking academic and career success.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
PREFACE STUDY SKILLS FOR LIFE Daniel B., an undergraduate student we know, was recently offered a summer internship in the global investment banking division of one of the country's largest financial institutions. Although the corporate recruiters thought he was highly qualified, Daniel doubted his own ability, worrying that as a liberal-arts major he lacked the basic knowledge and skills to succeed in a business setting. He had never worked with spreadsheets, graphed financial data, or spoken the specialized language of his business colleagues. While he was familiar with classic novels through his college literature courses, he knew little about capital markets and derivatives. He was so filled with self-doubt that he nearly rejected the internship offer. The company recruiters were well aware of Daniel's knowledge "deficits" when they offered him the position. However, from talking with references listed on his resume and with Daniel himself during the interview, they realized that he had a quick mind, superior critical-thinking and study skills, and a willingness to learn, all of which were reflected in excellent grades. They were convinced that he would be able to master everything he needed to know for the internship, especially since the program included a week of intensive training classes designed to get everyone up to speed. After a few weeks of hard work, Daniel acquired the skills he needed-and was now moving ahead of many of the other interns in his ability to analyze and apply complex business concepts to unique problem-solving situations. This true story defines the importance of having solid study and critical-thinking skills in the 21st century. It also illustrates the mission of the first edition of Keys To College Studying: Becoming a Lifelong Learner. Like Daniel, you may find yourself doubting your specific knowledge and skills when, for example, you change majors, get a new boss, or change careers. However, the study skills and critical-thinking skills that you learn in this book will help you succeed in college as they prepare you for the challenge of continuous learning throughout your career and life. Your Study-Skills Tool Bag: What's Important in This Book This text contains some essential elements that help you achieve diverse goals: STRATEGIES FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT. Before you can be a successful learner, you need to set the stage for learning in a way that maximizes your abilities. Part I helps you develop self-management through learning styles, self-awareness, goal setting, and time management. It also provides strategies for helping you become a critical thinker. Critical thinking will allow you to take your study skills to a higher level of achievement. CORE STUDY SKILLS FOR SCHOOL, WORK, AND LIFE. The text focuses on skills that will take you successfully through your classes-and beyond. Each skill is presented in comprehensive terms, showing you what you need to know in order to succeed in school as well as how you will use the skill in the working world and in your personal life. These skills include reading, listening, taking notes, memory, library and internet research, vocabulary building, writing, test taking, math and technology skills, and many more. TESTING-FOCUSED EXERCISES. At the end of each chapter and each part, a variety of exercises appear that are designed to reinforce knowledge and build test-taking skills. Included are: Multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and matching questions A vocabulary-building exercise featuring challenging words from the current media Strategic thinking and teamwork exercises A Real-Life Approach to the Needs of Real-Life Students Keys to College Studying acknowledges who you are right now and the stresses and pressures you may face. Acknowledging that each student is in a unique life situation, the text includes information such as ways to study with children around, time management advice for working students, and vocabulary-building approaches for students from around the world. Keys to College Studying focuses on the individual—you—helping to reduce study-related stress as it emphasizes the development of skills that will help you handle change. TAKE ACTION: BE A PROACTIVE LEARNER You are responsible for your education, your growth, your knowledge, and your future. If you know yourself, choose the right paths, and follow them with determination, you will earn the success that you deserve. The best we can do is offer some great strategies, ideas, and structures that will help you study effectively; ultimately, it's up to you to use them. You've made a terrific start by choosing to pursue an education—now take advantage of all it has to give you. Pay yourself the biggest compliment by studying hard, having faith in yourself, and staying focused on your long-term goals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This text offers a contemporary, refreshing approach to traditional coverage of study skills. Concepts and strategies are presented in a context that helps you understand the broader, real-world applications for well-developed study skills. The premise of this book is that strong academic skills form the foundation necessary for your success in our competitive, global economy.

This book offers knowledge and skills that build self-management, a positive work ethic, and leadership qualities: Identifying and using your preferred learning styles Goal setting Time management Flexibility in the face of change Ways to reduce stress Strategic thinking

You will develop skills that help you fulfill your goals in school and, ultimately, in your career: Reading speed and comprehension Internet research skills Vocabulary skills Writing skills Math, science, and technology skills

Unique features that underscore relevancy: Vocabulary exercises featuring words from current media excerpts Chapter summaries in a map format to stimulate visual learning A text-wide focus on how your study skills will help you on the job