Study Skills Resources

Academic Tools

Some of these may be useful to you in keeping up with your academic work and finding effective ways to review difficult concepts. Each one is in PDF format, so you will need to have the free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to access these files.

Time Management Tools

Insights Related to Raising your GPA

Whether you just want to improve your overall GPA or if you are on academic probation, the following resources may be helpful.

  1. Predict your GPA using the calculator on this website: http://www.registrar.appstate.edu/records/gpa.html
    *If you are repeating any classes, you should use this worksheet instead. Please be aware that using one of your four repeats to replace a failing grade is one of the quickest ways to improve your GPA--as long as you do well the second time you take the course.
  2. Reflect on what obstacles have prevented you from achieving higher grades thus far. This worksheet may help.
  3. If you are on probation, please be sure to read over this website developed by the Registrar's Office. It can be very helpful. http://www.registrar.appstate.edu/records/probation.html
  4. Create a plan of action. This worksheet may be helpful.

Campus Academic Resources

A listing of academic resources at Appalachian (PDF)

Note-Taking

Study Methods

These graphic organizers may help you pull out key points in a way that will help you understand and remember more. Experiment to find what format works best for you or for what you are studying.

Test-Taking Help

Final Exam Preparation

Reading Skills

We recommend enrolling in RE 1010 Power Reading to practice various strategies to develop effective and efficient reading strategies. This handout may also give you ideas of strategies you can practice on your own.

Motivation

This self-assessment can help you reflect on areas where you might improve. Such insights can help you make choices, set goals, and identify actions. This focus leads to success, and each success, small or large, can help motivate you: http://college.cengage.com/collegesurvival/downing/on_course/4e/students/assess/index.html

An integrated academic/career development plan for your time at Appalachian

Click on the following link to review an interactive plan to make the most of your time at Appalachian so that you will be ready to launch your career or pursue an advanced degree by the time you graduate.

Taking Online Classes?

  • Here's a handout to help you be aware of what it takes to succeed.
  • Need to build your general computer skills? Appalachian provides access to atomic learning, a series of online videos to help you become familiar with a wide range of software programs. http://lts.appstate.edu/resources/atomic

Helpful Websites

General Study Skills

Reading

Writing

Note-Taking

Time Management

Stress Management

Test Taking

Test Anxiety 

Memory

Learning Styles

http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

GRE Test Prep

  • www.freerice.com is a fun way to build your vocabulary
  • www.sparknotes.com has a full length review of the GRE that is simply fantastic, and it includes practice tests that are helpful too (just watch for strange formatting of the math problems).
  • www.ets.org Information on testing sites, test design and ordering information

Money Management