Effective Study Skills for Success in Higher Education Course

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the essential study skills necessary for success in higher education. It begins by exploring the various reasons why individuals pursue a degree at university, highlighting the benefits of enhanced skill sets and increased job opportunities. The main body of the essay delves into core academic skills such as academic writing, paraphrasing, note-taking, and learning styles, emphasizing their importance in achieving academic goals. The essay also includes a detailed study plan with short and long-term goals to help students develop these crucial skills. The conclusion summarizes the key points and reinforces the value of consistent practice and strategic planning for academic achievement. The essay references several academic journals and books to support the presented arguments.

Study skills for
Higher Education

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Reasons for studying a degree at University..........................................................................1
Core skills that can be developed along with their importance..............................................2
Study plan inclusive of short and long term goals.................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
In the hyper competitive and modern era, studying within University provide individuals
with the opportunity to pursue a desirable academic and professional career (Geitz, Joosten-ten
Brinke and Kirschner, 2016). The education and knowledge gained through this medium assists a
person to take a job of one’s own choice. Every person has their own rationale for attending
University. In this regard, the present essay is based upon rationale behind studying a degree
within University. Also, it comprises of core academic skills that are essential and can be
developed along with a study plan to inculcate skills such as academic writing, paraphrasing,
learning styles, note taking etc.
MAIN BODY
Reasons for studying a degree at University
The education rendered within University acts as a route map for individuals to ensure a
good professional life. In this regard, every individual has a different opinion and as per the
analysis, it can be said that there are a number of reasons owing to which students intend to
pursue a degree in college. Getting a good degree from University provides assistance to students
in availing the benefit of several job opportunities (Murphy and Johnson, 2016). Yet another
crucial rationale that is provided by a number of individuals for carrying out studies at University
is the chance to enhance the existing level of skill set and knowledge so as to effectively be able
to deal with complex situations in future. Further, government as well as private jobs are
accessible for personnel who have finished a degree course in University. Another essential
reason owing to which a person pursues graduation degree is to undertake admission within post
graduation courses feasibly. This can provide the appropriate guidance to an individual to elevate
one’s career.
It has also been acknowledged that a large quantum of students attend the University for
the purpose of vocational training that is provided by tutors. Some people also pursue a degree as
this helps them to gain basic education. Further, some other reasons that have been put forward
by a number of individuals in relation to carrying out a degree course in college are to appreciate
and acknowledge new ways of executing an activity or task. Overall, it can be said that going to
college aids individuals to boost their confidence level and instil a sense of discipline within
them (Lai, Shum and Tian, 2016). The learning gained by pursing a degree can be effectively
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used by personnel to undertake the desired career opportunity and get elevated in the area of
professional development.
Core skills that can be developed along with their importance
There is a wide variety range of core skills such as academic writing, paraphrasing, note-
taking, learning styles, communication which are important to be present or incorporated within
an individual so as to enable one to pursue a degree at University effectively. Such skill set
provides assistance to personnel to become a successful employee, manager, leader or a
businessman (Nilson, 2013). All these skills can be developed during the tenure of degree. The
major reason behind attaining academic writing skills is to easily draft a mail to the
organisational seniors in future prospect. This lays a positive image of a person in front of other
professional and business persons and further provides assistance in carrying out clear and well
structured communication. The rationale behind development of oral skills is that it aids a person
in effectively putting forward one’s views and opinions during the classroom sessions at
University. Paraphrasing is also regarded to be an essential core skill owing to its importance in
saving a person from indulging in the crime of plagiarism which can even result in serious
consequences. Furthermore, note taking gains importance as one cannot retain the whole
information as stated or discussed in classes, thus, these skills provide assistance to an individual
in making notes of the main points that are taught by the tutor in order to memorise them later.
Apart from this, a person cannot hold the wholesome information about learning styles, thus, it
becomes essential for them to adopt their own personal learning style. This helps an individual in
carrying out learning in an effective manner.
Study plan inclusive of short and long term goals
It is essential for every individual to design and devise a study plan in order to ensure the
timely execution of activities and the incorporation of necessary skills (Saltman, 2012). In this
regard, a study plan is created for the individual here to strengthen the essential skills to pursue a
degree at University such as communication paraphrasing as well as note taking. In this regard,
the major focus of the individual will be upon significantly enhancing the before mentioned
skills. To facilitate this, two short-term as well as one long term plan is included within the plan,
as follow:-
May 26, 2019 To be present at English speaking classes for a month and read a
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11:00 AM book in library every day for 3 hours.
May 26, 2019
1:00 PM
To carry out paraphrasing by rephrasing 3 articles daily for
enhancing this skill in a time span of 5 days.
May 29, 2019
12:00 PM
To enhance the skills of note taking by attending the classroom
sessions on a regular basis.
CONCLUSION
With the help of above discussion, it can be stated that is individuals carrying out a
degree course within University can easily perform and attain success by emphasizing upon the
practicing every day. Further, it has been analysed that there are a number of reasons for
pursuing degree at University, out of which the most agreed upon is the generation of job
opportunities owing to it. Besides this, it is comprehended that the core skills that are important
and can be further developed within college are paraphrasing, note taking, communication,
learning styles etc. A study plan is essential to be made by students in order to achieve the
academic goals.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Geitz, G., Joosten-ten Brinke, D., and Kirschner, P. A., 2016. Changing learning behaviour: Self-
efficacy and goal orientation in PBL groups in higher education. International Journal
of Educational Research. 75. 146-158.
Lai, C., Shum, M., and Tian, Y., 2016. Enhancing learners’ self-directed use of technology for
language learning: the effectiveness of an online training platform. Computer Assisted
Language Learning. 29(1). 40-60.
Murphy, S. E., and Johnson, S. K., 2016. Leadership and leader developmental self‐efficacy:
Their role in enhancing leader development efforts. New directions for student
leadership. 2016(149). 73-84.
Nilson, L., 2013. Creating self-regulated learners: Strategies to strengthen students? self-
awareness and learning skills. Stylus Publishing, LLC.
Saltman, D., 2012. Student-directed learning comes of age. The Education Digest. 77(7). 4.
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