Essential Skills for Academic and Personal Success

Posted on Dec 6, 2025 in Other university degrees and diplomas

Foundational Knowledge for College and Career

Defining Critical Thinking

What is a Critical Thinker? A critical thinker is a person who solves problems logically without being influenced by emotions.

Why is Critical Thinking Important? It is crucial for success because it helps you find better solutions to problems.

Understanding Confirmation Bias

What is Confirmation Bias? Confirmation bias occurs when an individual uses preconceived ideas or past beliefs to judge a current situation.

Why Avoid It? It is important to avoid because it prevents the individual from making an unbiased decision.

C.A.R.L. (B) Principles

C.A.R.L. (B) stands for:

  • Clarity
  • Accuracy
  • Relevance
  • Logic

The SQ4R Reading Method

SQ4R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Record, and Review. The steps are defined as follows:

Survey
Quickly look over the reading assignment for clues as to the content.
Question
Ask yourself questions about what you think the assignment will address and what the reading will be about.
Read
Read the material.
Recite
Put what you read in your own words. Periodically stop reading and articulate what you have just read. This acts as a self-quiz.
Record
Mark the book or write notes to capture important words. This includes highlighting, underlining, writing in the book, typing on a laptop or tablet, or writing notes on a separate piece of paper.
Review
Review the material to ensure complete understanding.

Active Reading Techniques

What is Active Reading? Active reading requires engagement, not just passively looking at the words on the page (e.g., taking notes or highlighting).

Why is it Important? It is important because actively participating in the reading process significantly improves comprehension and understanding.

Steps for Information Literacy

The four steps for completing an assignment in an information-literate manner are:

  1. Know what is needed.
  2. Access the information.
  3. Evaluate the information.
  4. Use the information.

Criteria for Evaluating Websites

Key criteria for evaluating a website include:

  • Accuracy and Authority: Ensuring the information is precise and provided by experts. Consider:
    • What credentials does the author have?
    • Is there a sponsoring site or organization?
    • What do you know about that organization?

Web Search: Pros and Cons

Advantages of Using the Web:

  • Resources are always available 24/7.
  • Provides access to a vast amount of information.

Disadvantages of Using the Web:

  • Information is not always reliable, as anyone can publish content.
  • Too much information can be overwhelming.

Defining the Digital Tattoo

The term digital tattoo refers to your permanent digital presence on the internet. It’s the image you project online, often through social media, encompassing everything you post.

Positive and Negative Social Media Use

Positive Uses:

  • Connect with old friends who live far away.
  • In a natural disaster, platforms like Facebook allow you to notify family and friends that you are safe.
  • Share causes and charities you are interested in.

Negative Uses:

  • Leaving a negative digital tattoo by posting inappropriate material online.
  • Losing productivity due to addiction to social media.

Academic Planning and Career Readiness

Common Misconceptions About College Majors

Three common misconceptions about college majors are:

  1. You must work in your major field for your entire life.
  2. There is no way back from a major; you are locked in.
  3. Students who do not have a declared major lack dedication.

Academic Requirements Defined

The differences between academic requirements are:

General Education Requirements
Courses that all students must take, regardless of their major.
Major Requirements
Courses centered on your specific major, often offering great depth in the subject.
Electives
Courses you choose in addition to your general education and major requirements.

Importance of Academic Advisors

Three reasons why it’s important to have a strong relationship with your academic advisor:

  1. Advisors serve as mentors, guiding students through their college years and helping them make wise decisions.
  2. They can provide support and assistance when students encounter academic or personal trouble.
  3. Advisors possess great knowledge in their field of education and are helpful resources when seeking specialized advice.

Essential Resume Components

Four essential items that belong on a resume:

  • Name
  • Email (Contact Information)
  • Experience
  • Skills

Major Intention vs. Career Outcome

There is often a significant difference between a student’s intended major/career path and their eventual outcome.

Statistically, 50% of students change their intended major after entering college. This shift occurs because students are presented with new ideas and thought processes, leading them to discover their true interests and professional aspirations. Furthermore, in the professional world, people often do not work in the field they initially intended, sometimes not even remaining in the same general industry.

Health and Financial Wellness

Behaviors That Sabotage Physical Health

Four behaviors that can sabotage physical health:

  • Eating unhealthy foods (Poor nutrition)
  • Lack of exercise
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Smoking cigarettes

Tips for Healthy Sleep

Three tips for achieving a healthy night of sleep:

  1. Avoid caffeine before going to bed.
  2. Avoid large meals or beverages close to bedtime.
  3. Avoid late afternoon naps.

Defining Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is often associated with reaching a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

Ways to Promote Safety and Avoid Sexual Violence

Three ways to promote safety:

  • Go on group dates.
  • Limit your alcohol intake.
  • Be vigilant of your surroundings.

Identity Theft Prevention

What is Identity Theft? Identity theft occurs when a thief takes control of someone’s private information, usually for financial gain.

Ways to Avoid It:

  • Request regular credit reports.
  • Never give your PIN to anyone.
  • Always break receipts into tiny pieces before disposal.

Key Financial Terminology

Budget
A tool that shows where money comes from and where it goes, helpful for managing personal finances.
Debt
A situation where expenses exceed income.
Bankruptcy
The most severe type of debt, involving a legal action that declares the person has no hope of paying their obligations in their current financial situation.
Checking Account
Money deposited at a financial institution, typically used for daily transactions and withdrawals.
Savings Account
An account that allows you to deposit funds with a financial institution, usually intended for holding money long-term.