Explanation ofCritical Thinking/Goal Setting
How well you use critical thinking and goal setting. Critical thinking helps you make decisions, answer questions, and set goals based on solid facts and analysis.
Low Ranks
Your responses suggest that you may not implement critical thinking strategies or set goals on a regular basis; now is the perfect time to strengthen these skills.
Next Steps
- Practice gathering and evaluating information. Gather information and evaluate all sides of a contemporary issue or debate. Where do you stand? How did you arrive at your decision?
- Practice setting SMART goals. Set two short-term goals and make sure each is SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses suggest that you are familiar with critical thinking and goal setting but that you may not use these skills regularly in your own life.
Next Steps
- Think critically in your life, at school, and at work. When doing a project or making a decision, gather and evaluate information from multiple sources. Keep an open mind — it will help you weigh all sides of an issue.
- Set one short-term goal this week. Make it SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited. Then evaluate your outcome: Did you achieve the goal as planned, or would you do something differently?
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you think critically on a regular basis by gathering information from multiple sources and evaluating it before making a decision. You also have a good sense of your own strengths and weaknesses, and you have clearly defined goals.
Next Steps
- Implement critical thinking skills. Join a campus or community organization to evaluate proposals, vote on recommendations, budget money, and implement changes.
- Set school and work goals. Review your long-term goals and outline the steps you will take to make them a reality. Do one thing this week to work toward a goal.
Connect with Campus Resources
- Instructors for guidance about how to think critically in academic work
- Tutors to identify reliable sources of information for a project
- An adviser for help setting academic goals and making a course plan
- A mentor, an instructor, or a career counselor for help with career goals
Explanation ofMotivation/Decision Making/Personal Responsibility
How motivated you are, how effectively you make decisions, and how much ownership you take for achieving your goals. Motivation helps you focus on your goals and persevere despite obstacles. Making decisions ensures that you keep moving forward toward your goals. Taking responsibility helps you identify skills you want to strengthen and create action plans to do so.
Low Ranks
Your responses suggest that you may struggle with motivation and may not always feel in control of your decisions, your academic performance, and your future. Let’s start building these skills.
Next Steps
- Find ways to motivate yourself. For example, provide yourself with small rewards for accomplishing academic tasks you aren’t very excited about.
- Take control of your learning and your skill development. Decide to advocate for yourself and your needs — and follow through. Asking for help is a valuable skill; if you are struggling in a course, reach out to get the support you need.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are moderately motivated and feel some sense of control over your decision making, academic performance, and future. You may be familiar with effective decision-making strategies, but you may not implement them in everyday life.
Next Steps
- Make your coursework meaningful and relevant. Try to take at least one course related to your major each term and connect what you learn in your courses to other courses, your life, and your future career.
- Make decisions that show responsibility for setbacks. List things that get in the way of studying and completing assignments. Brainstorm ways you can overcome these barriers and implement solutions. Put one or more of these ideas into action.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are a highly motivated decision maker who takes responsibility for your actions. You feel a sense of control over your academic performance and your future and find accomplishing tasks rewarding.
Next Steps
- Share your strengths with others. Mentor someone on campus (peer mentoring, orientation leader) or in the community (Big Brothers Big Sisters or another organization).
- Assume responsibility for your career development. Speak to an adviser, an instructor, or a career counselor about what you need to do now to become competitive in the job market.
Connect with Campus Resources
- An instructor when you have questions or are struggling in a class
- An adviser for help deciding on a major or course of study
- A career counselor to prepare for a highly competitive job market
- A mentor or counselor for help overcoming setbacks
Explanation ofLearning Preferences
The level of understanding you have about your preferences for thinking, organizing information, studying, and learning. By understanding how you like to learn, you can find and use study strategies that work for you, and you can adapt to any learning environment.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may not have considered your learning preferences before today or may not know how to adapt your learning style to meet the demands of the situation. You can discover more about your learning preferences and use them to succeed in your classes.
Next Steps
- Understand your learning preferences. Take a learning preferences inventory (Google “learning preferences inventory”) and use it to identify study strategies that are consistent with your preferences.
- Test the waters. Each week try a new study strategy and see how it works for you. For example, listen to recorded lectures, study in groups, or create flash cards.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are somewhat aware of your learning preferences and how to adapt your learning style to meet the demands of the situation.
Next Steps
- Tap into your resources. Ask your classmates about strategies they use to succeed in their classes. For a specific class, talk to your instructor or students who have already taken that course about effective strategies.
- Develop adaptability. Identify a course in which your learning preferences do not seem to be aligned with the instructor or course material. Brainstorm new strategies and try them out.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are highly aware of your preferences for learning. As you know, not all instructors will teach to your preferred learning style, so you may have to remain open to new ways of learning and adapt. At the same time, you can implement study strategies that fit your learning preferences.
Next Steps
- Experiment. Although you have some familiar study strategies, try new things to become more adaptable and build a collection of strategies you can choose from in different situations.
- Challenge yourself. Learn to flourish in different environments by taking classes from a variety of instructors with varying teaching methods.
Connect with Campus Resources
- A tutor or supplemental instructor for advice on learning strategies
- An instructor or teaching assistant for ideas on mastering course content
- Students in your classes or study groups for study tips
- Disability Services for assistance with diagnosing a learning disability
Explanation ofOrganization/Time Management
How effectively you stay organized and manage your time. These skills help you complete assignments promptly, minimize distractions, and prevent procrastination, allowing you to accomplish more in less time.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you might benefit from incorporating more organizational and time-management strategies into your daily routine. Get off to the right start with the following suggestions.
Next Steps
- Get the complete picture. Track your activities for an entire week so you can see where your time actually goes. Then create a schedule for yourself that focuses on meeting your top priorities.
- Take time to organize. Spending a few minutes now to get organized will save time later. Set up a quiet, clean study space where you can easily access materials (like syllabi and writing tools) and focus on your work. In your calendar, schedule study time and due dates for assignments.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are moderately organized and generally aware of the benefits of time management but that you may benefit from incorporating more organizational and time-management strategies into your life.
Next Steps
- Add to your skill set. The more tools you have for organizing your life and managing your time, the better. Try out a new tool this week. For example, go online and download a new time-tracker app.
- Celebrate persistence. Reward yourself for accomplishing an assignment you find uninteresting. Remind yourself how the skills you’re building will help you accomplish your educational and career goals.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you’re well organized and you manage your time effectively.
Next Steps
- Share your skills. Mentor another student or family member who has organizational and time-management challenges.
- Transform this skill into a résumé builder. Join a campus or community group in which you can organize events or schedule meetings.
Connect with Campus Resources
- First-year seminars to try organizational and time-management strategies
- A tutor for help with organizing your notes and materials
- The library to study without distractions
- The counseling center if managing your responsibilities is overwhelming
Explanation ofReading
The level of confidence you have in your ability to read with focus, identify main ideas, and review what you’ve read. Reading is an important way to acquire information and is at the core of the learning process.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may be unaware of your reading habits and may benefit from incorporating new reading strategies into your daily life. To learn more and build confidence, try these next steps.
Next Steps
- Preview the material. Before you begin reading a textbook, read the preface, table of contents, and chapter summaries. Review the headings, key terms, and pictures or figures.
- Stay focused. Set aside small blocks of time for your reading. As you read, identify the main ideas and annotate or take notes on the reading.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you’re somewhat aware of your reading habits and have developed some good reading strategies so far. Let’s build on them.
Next Steps
- Expand your vocabulary.When reading, identify new words, look them up, and write down the definition. Keep a running list of new words — especially if they’re related to your career.
- Review what you’ve read. Improve your comprehension of material by reviewing it. Recite the information to yourself or discuss it with a study partner.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you use effective reading strategies on a regular basis and understand the importance of reading for your future career.
Next Steps
- Read to build career knowledge. Read journal articles, blog posts, or magazines related to a profession you’re considering to keep up with the latest developments in that field.
- Increase your efficiency. Research speed-reading strategies and use them to practice reading at a faster rate.
Connect with Campus Resources
- The library to find reading materials and read with few distractions
- Academic Support Services for tips on reading strategies
- A book club to build reading skills in a fun way
- Disability Services to address any severe issues with reading
Explanation ofNote Taking
The level of confidence you have in your ability to accurately and legibly record main ideas and organize and manage this information for later review. Taking effective notes will help you master course material and improve your performance on exams and homework.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may benefit from learning about note-taking systems and strategies so you can record important information, organize it, and review it at a later time. To turn note taking into a strength, start with the following steps.
Next Steps
- Try different note-taking styles. Popular styles include outlining, Cornell note taking, mapping, and charting. Google each method to learn more.
- Paraphrase information. Don’t try to write notes word-for-word. Practice putting the information into your own words. Create a system of symbols and abbreviations.
- Clear up confusion. When you don’t understand something, mark that section or write down your question. Take charge and get answers before you see the information on a test.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are developing note-taking skills but may benefit from additional strategies to help you record important information, organize it, and review it at a later time.
Next Steps
- Experiment with a new note-taking style. Popular styles include outlining, Cornell note taking, mapping, and charting. Google each method to learn more.
- Recognize cues. In lectures, practice identifying verbal and nonverbal cues that indicate critical information. While reading, pay attention to headings, summaries, boldface words, and illustrations.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you have a well-developed note-taking system that allows you to record important information, organize it, and review it at a later time.
Next Steps
- Expand your note-taking experience. Build your résumé by joining a campus or community organization and offering to take meeting notes. Or contact Disability Services on your campus to become a volunteer note-taker for a student with a registered disability.
- Use your notes. After you’ve finished your notes, use them to make your own study guide or flash cards. Clear up any confusion with instructors.
Connect with Campus Resources
- Academic Support Services for tips on taking notes
- Instructors to review your notes and offer suggestions for improvement
- Study groups for comparing notes
- The bookstore or library for “how to” resources related to note taking
Explanation ofMemory/Studying
How well you learn and remember information. Learning and remembering information helps you master course material and improves your performance on exams and homework.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may benefit from learning more about how memory works and identifying effective strategies you can use to study for your classes. There are many ways to enhance your memory and study more efficiently.
Next Steps
- Learn how memory works. The importance of using memory techniques to learn and study will be very clear once you read about the steps in the memory process: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Google these terms to learn more.
- Join a study group. Studying in a group can help you stay focused and learn new study strategies, and may actually be fun.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may be familiar with effective study strategies and memory techniques but that you may not implement them in your everyday life.
Next Steps
- Use your time wisely. According to research, studying in small blocks of time throughout the week is more effective than cramming. Carry your notes with you and study during any breaks in your day (during your commute, while waiting for an appointment, at lunch).
- Make connections. You remember information more easily when you can connect it to something you’ve already learned, a realistic situation, or a previous memory.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you have developed effective study strategies and memory techniques. You schedule study time, minimize distractions, and focus on the most important material to remember.
Next Steps
- Create fun study tools. Remember specific study material by creating your own individualized mnemonics. If you are unfamiliar with this term, Google it, read about it, and implement it.
- Teach and learn. Form a study group. Share your study strategies and learn new ones.
Connect with Campus Resources
- Instructors to help you identify the most important topics to study
- Tutors to help you set study goals and be accountable
- Other students to share study strategies and form study groups
- Online course resources with comprehension activities and practice tests
Explanation ofTest Taking
How effective you are at preparing for and performing on college exams. These skills will help you accurately demonstrate what you’ve learned through reading, note taking, and studying.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may benefit from learning how to prepare for exams effectively, manage test anxiety, and respond to different exam formats. To develop more confidence in taking tests, begin with the following strategies.
Next Steps
- Put in prep time. Build a study schedule and prepare for your exams well in advance. Develop preparation strategies; for example, ask your instructor about the exam format, take practice tests, and study in short sessions over time instead of cramming the day before the exam.
- Experiment with different ways to manage anxiety. Try exercise, deep breathing, muscle relaxation, scheduled worry time, visualization, or reframing negative thoughts.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may be familiar with how to prepare for exams, manage test anxiety, and respond to different exam formats, but you may benefit from additional guidance.
Next Steps
- Use your resources. Prepare for tests carefully by using study guides, attending review sessions, and joining study groups. Make a list of your study priorities and review it with your instructor.
- Approach tests strategically. Read the directions, preview the questions and the points assigned to each, and budget enough time to respond to all high-value questions. If you finish early, check your answers.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you take responsibility for performing well on exams — knowing what material will be covered on the exam, seeking answers to questions, managing your anxiety, evaluating your exam responses, and adjusting your test-taking strategies.
Next Steps
- Reflect on the outcome. Your graded exam is feedback. Review it to better understand the course material and determine how you may need to adjust your approach in the future.
- Build your résumé. Become a peer mentor or tutor and share your test-taking knowledge and strategies with others.
Connect with Campus Resources
- Instructors to help you evaluate and adjust your approach to studying
- Tutors and study groups to help you brainstorm exam questions
- The counseling center for strategies for managing test anxiety
- The recreation center to stay healthy and keep anxiety in check
Explanation ofInformation Literacy and Communication
Your ability to locate appropriate sources of information, evaluate their credibility and value, and effectively communicate information through writing and speaking. These skills will help you write quality papers, avoid plagiarism, and give informative presentations.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may not feel very confident in writing papers or speaking in public. The good news is that you can develop this confidence through practice, feedback, and positive support.
Next Steps
- Start at the library. Visit the campus library in person or online to find high-quality sources of information for papers and presentations. Ask a librarian if you need help.
- Plan more time for revision. After you’ve developed an outline, get feedback from peers, tutors, or your instructor. Ask for feedback again when you have a full draft.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are fairly confident in your writing and speaking skills.
Next Steps
- Avoid writer’s block. Approach writing with a purpose and a positive mind-set. Get off to a good start by researching and evaluating your sources carefully. Set writing goals, work from an outline, and write in small blocks of time over several weeks, rather than saving all your work until the last minute.
- Cite resources accurately. Know which writing style (APA, MLA) is expected and learn how to cite different types of resources according to that style.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you’re confident in your writing and public speaking skills.
Next Steps
- Use even better sources. Work with a librarian or an instructor to identify and incorporate information from strong sources in a given subject area.
- Get feedback on your papers. There is always room for improvement. Take a draft of your paper to the writing center and learn how to take your writing skills to the next level.
- Practice your presentations. Once you have a presentation you’re proud of, practice what you’ll say to ensure that your delivery is smooth and you finish within the time limit.
Connect with Campus Resources
- The library to find quality information sources
- The writing center for feedback on your paper
- The student handbook to learn the consequences of plagiarism
- The course catalog for courses that build confidence in public speaking
Explanation ofConnecting with Others
Your ability to connect with people and maintain those connections by asserting yourself, embracing diversity, using strong communication and conflict-management skills, and employing emotional intelligence. These skills will help you meet new people and build supportive relationships.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may benefit from developing your connection skills. And that’s okay — we all have areas in need of growth. Here are some ways to get started.
Next Steps
- Listen actively. People want to be heard. Maintain focus and attentiveness through eye contact and body posture. Convey understanding of the message verbally and nonverbally.
- Connect with instructors. Get to know your instructors so you feel more comfortable asking for help. Visit them during office hours. Let them get to know you as well — they’re valuable career resources and references.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are moderately confident in your ability to connect with others.
Next Steps
- Communicate assertively. Before making a request, know what you want. Then demonstrate confidence, make eye contact, and speak clearly and concisely (but respectfully).
- Develop empathy. Try to understand others’ emotions by imagining yourself in their shoes. This ability will help you respond to them sensitively.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are confident in your ability to connect with others.
Next Steps
- Expand your network. Continue making connections with others to strengthen your social support network — people with whom you can study, share resources, and provide support and encouragement.
- Be a leader. Take your skills to the next level by assuming a leadership role in a campus club or community organization. Add this to your résumé.
Connect with Campus Resources
- An instructor in your major to provide career advice and serve as a reference
- Classmates to add to your social support network
- A campus club or organization to develop leadership skills
- Arts and cultural events on campus to develop appreciation for diversity
Explanation ofPersonal and Financial Health
How well you maintain your physical, mental, and financial health. By effectively coping with stress, taking care of your body and mind, and managing your finances successfully, you will lead a longer, healthier, and more satisfying life.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that some barriers may get in the way of taking care of your body and managing stress; you may also need more information on financial resources. There are many strategies you can use to lead a happier, healthier life, beginning with the following suggestions.
Next Steps
- Explore sources of stress. List your sources of stress and brainstorm what you can do to eliminate these stressors, decrease these stressors, or manage stress. Take action and implement your plan.
- Take control of your finances. Track your income and your spending for one month using an app or a spreadsheet. Use what you learn about your saving and spending habits to create a sensible budget, and follow it each month. If needed, brainstorm ways to reduce expenses or boost income.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are familiar with ways to stay healthy and manage stress but that you may not use these techniques on a regular basis; you may have knowledge of some financial resources.
Next Steps
- Manage stress. You can’t control everything, but you can control your response to stressful situations. Take a deep breath, think positively, share your feelings with others, and ask for help when necessary.
- Track your income and spending. For one month, record your income and expenses using an app or a spreadsheet. If you spend more than you earn, take steps to manage your money more effectively. If you earn more than you spend, investigate how best to save or invest your money.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you take steps to stay healthy and manage stress effectively and that you have a good understanding of financial resources.
Next Steps
- Maintain healthy habits. Continue preventing stress by practicing healthy behaviors such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising. Make one change this week to further improve your health.
- Review your budget. You can always find ways to reduce expenses. Track your spending for a week and see whether there are any opportunities to save money by reducing or removing an expense.
Connect with Campus Resources
- The financial aid office to learn about loans, grants, and scholarships
- An instructor, an adviser, or a career counselor to find a job on campus
- The student recreation center to exercise
- The counseling center for support or to address mental-health concerns
Explanation ofAcademic and Career Planning
The confidence you have in your ability to plan for college and career. Well-thought-out major and career decisions — based on information about yourself, available courses, and the world of work — can promote a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and job satisfaction.
Low Ranks
Your responses indicate that you may benefit from getting help to learn about career options, make good career decisions, and develop an academic plan. Many campus and personal resources are available to help you understand your options and think them through.
Next Steps
- Know yourself. Before deciding on a major or career, it’s important to assess your interests, values, and abilities. If possible, visit the career center to take career inventories that will help you learn about yourself, or take career inventories online.
- Explore options. Discuss your interests, values, and abilities with another person who can help you explore majors and careers that might be a good fit.
Moderate Ranks
Your responses indicate that you are fairly confident in your ability to gather occupational information, make good career decisions, and develop an academic plan.
Next Steps
- Learn more about potential careers. Meet with someone who is currently employed in a career that interests you. Ask this person questions to help you determine if this job would be a good fit for you.
- Stay on track. Meet with an academic adviser to plan your course of study, identify barriers to your success, and get help connecting to campus resources.
High Ranks
Your responses indicate that you know how to gather occupational information and make good career decisions; you have a clear academic plan.
Next Steps
- Join a career-related organization. Become a student member of the state or national association related to a profession that interests you to learn more about current topics and issues in the field.
- Get career advice. Ask an instructor or employed professional for recommendations on classes to take, skills to develop, or experiences to obtain before graduation.
Connect with Campus Resources
- An adviser to help you identify a major and create an academic plan
- Instructors for information and guidance in your field of study
- The career center (or online resources) to take career inventories
- A campus club related to your major for information and advice