BSAT 100
SKILL FINDER
This questionnaire will help you determine which study skills you need to develop or improve. Read each statement. If the statement applies to you, check "yes". If the statement does not apply to you, check "no". See the end of the questionnaire for suggestions about how to interpret your results.
Setting Goals and Using Resources
YES NO 1. I usually have a goal I am trying to reach. _____ _____ 2. I have no trouble making decisions about which courses I should take._____ _____ 3. I know what courses are required at my college. _____ _____ 4. I have a college catalog, and I check it often to keep up with important dates and deadlines. _____ _____
Listening and Note Taking
5. When I am listening to a lecture, I do not become distracted. _____ _____ 6. I know the words to listen for in a lecture that will tell me what is important. _____ _____ 7. I usually take notes during class. _____ _____ 8. When I take notes, I am able to keep up with the lecturer. _____ _____
Time Management
9. I know how to manage my time. _____ _____ 10. I almost always arrive on time for my classes. _____ _____ 11. Only sickness or emergency prevents me from coming to class. _____ _____ 12. When I have a lot of studying to do, I have no trouble getting started. _____ _____
Memory and Concentration
13. I can usually remember what I've studied well enough to get good grades on tests. _____ _____ 14. I associate new material to be learned with what I already know. _____ _____ 15. I have a certain place where I do most of my studying. _____ _____ 16. I am not easily distracted when there is something that I need to study. _____ _____ 17. I do not hesitate to ask questions in class. _____ _____
Using Textbooks Effectively
18. Before I read a chapter, I look it over briefly to see what it is going to be about. _____ _____ 19. I am able to follow the writer's ideas in a textbook chapter. _____ _____ 20. I am able to maintain my interest in what I read. _____ _____ 21. I read chapter headings and turn them into questions I can answer as I read. _____ _____ 22. I always take a few minutes to examine the tables and other visual aids in chapters I read. _____ _____ 23. I use mapping techniques to organize information. _____ _____ 24. I almost always underline or highlight my textbooks. _____ _____ 25. I make motes from my textbooks to help me study. _____ _____ 26. I review my notes before and after class. _____ _____ 27. I keep a list of special terms and definitions of words I need to learn for my courses. _____ _____
Critical Thinking 28. Before I attempt to learn anything new, I examine my assumptions about it. _____ _____ 29. When I am listening to a lecture, I can usually predict what the lecturer will say next. _____ _____ 30. I am good at interpreting, or making sense of, what I learn. _____ _____ 31. I am able to evaluate information for its usefulness. _____ _____
Reading and Writing
32. I know what it means to be an "active" reader. _____ _____ 33. I am able to understand and remember most of what I read. _____ _____ 34. I know how to plan and write an essay. _____ _____ 35. I can usually find and correct my errors. _____ _____
Research and Library Skills
36. I know what resources my college library contains. _____ _____ 37. I know how to use computerized information-retrieval systems. _____ _____ 38. If I were given a research assignment today, I would know how to find the information I need to complete it. _____ _____ 39. If my instructor were to assign a research paper, I would have no trouble getting started. _____ _____
Preparing for and Taking Tests
40. I usually know what to study for tests. _____ _____ 41. I am almost always prepared for tests. _____ _____ 42. Taking a test does not make me nervous, if I am prepared. _____ _____ 43. If I don't know the answer to a multiple choice question, I try to guess. _____ _____ 44. I do not usually run out of time when I am taking a test. _____ _____ 45. It doesn't bother me if someone finishes a test before I do. _____ _____
Studying Math and Science
46. I do all math problems at the end of the chapter, whether they are assigned or not. _____ _____ 47. In a math course, I usually know why I make the errors I make on tests. _____ _____ 48. I believe I am capable of doing well in math. _____ _____ 49. I know how to prepare for my science class. _____ _____ 50. Remembering information from science textbooks is easy for me. _____ _____
Now go to the section of our textbook corresponding to each group of questions above. Use the list below to locate the part in your textbook (The Confident Student, Second Edition) that covers the skills related to each group of questions above. Read each section of the textbook and complete the associated exercises (to turn in on the date(s) specified by your instructor). Your instructor may ask you to answer these questions again when you have finished reading this book so that you can see what skills you have mastered.
Questions Corresponding Part in Textbook 1-12 Part One 13-27 Part Two 28-39 Part Three 40-50 Part Four