THE UNIVERSITY LEARNING CENTRE
Study Skills Resource
Academic Skills Checklist
The following checklist includes some key behaviours that are associated with academic success.
Instructions: For each item, indicate if this is a behaviour that you engage in regularly. If your score is
3 or less on any item, do something to improve the associated behaviour.
How to Improve these Skills
For assistance developing these skills:
• Attend some of the Study Skills Workshops • Refer to the online study skills resources
• Make an appointment with a learning specialist or academic advisor (in your college)
Want to be a better student? Start by assessing your behaviours:
No - - - Yes
1.
I always go to class.
1–2–3–4–5
2.
I take a good set of lecture notes.
1–2–3–4–5
3.
In class, I monitor whether or not I am fully understanding the ideas.
1–2–3–4–5
4.
I spend some time within 24 hours after class to read over my class notes, to improve them if
necessary, to reflect about the ideas, and do any assigned exercises or homework problems.
1–2–3–4–5
5.
After going through my class notes, if there are any ideas that I have difficulty understanding, I check
in the textbook for clarification or with someone who can help (classmate, T.A., prof., help centre).
1–2–3–4–5
6.
I read my text (or do other appropriate preparatory work) before going to class.
1–2–3–4–5
7.
As I read my text, I pay attention to the text structure: marginal questions, text in bold or italics,
headings, and the captions that accompany illustrative material in the margins.
1–2–3–4–5
8.
As I read the text, I think about whether or not I will remember the ideas easily. If not, I think about
ways to remember the information as the reading unfolds.
1–2–3–4–5
9.
I use a system for summarizing the main points of the text: I highlight, make marginal notes, make
summary notes, and/or use the study guide.
1–2–3–4–5
10. I do occasional review of past text chapters and class notes even when I don't have an exam looming. 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5
11. I give myself enough time to review adequately for an exam.
1–2–3–4–5
12. I find ways to self-test during my exam review instead of just reading over the information.
1–2–3–4–5
13. I maintain a calm approach to test writing and get a good night's sleep before an exam.
1–2–3–4–5
14. I am able to manage my anxiety in exams.
1–2–3–4–5
15. I plan my exam writing based on the amount of time and the value of individual questions.
1–2–3–4–5
16. I go over my returned exams to learn about the types of mistakes that I made.
1–2–3–4–5
Adapted and used with permission from Learning Skills Services, Western University, http://sdc.uwo.ca/learning/self help/assess_your_skills/academic_success_checklist.html, 2014 www.usask.ca/ulc
For more information on study skills, please visit our website.