‘Effective Study Skills are the sole foundation of a sound education’
Word Count: 490 Study skills are the method by which we learn in school and throughout life. ‘Study skills are approaches applied to learning. They are generally critical to success in school, considered essential for acquiring good grades, and useful for learning throughout one's life.’ (Wikipedia 2 March 2014). A sound education is defined as being able to read and write, passing recognised exams and obtaining a job.
‘Skill’ as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary is the ability to do something well. ‘Study skills don’t hatch fully formed ….. they evolve and mature through practice, reflection, trial and error …’ (Cottrell 2013). Without the correct skills for studying it will be more difficult to succeed academically. It is not necessary to be clever in order to succeed academically but without the necessary skills to help you learn it will be more difficult. The five study skills as listed in the Study Skills Handbook, Fourth Edition, are self-awareness and self-evaluation, task awareness, strategy, method and organisation, confidence and sense of entitlement and familiarity, practice and habit (Cottrell 2013). In general any skill that helps the student pass exams can be a study skill such as time management, knowing which subjects to choose and creating the correct environment to study in. At school the environment is created for the student with structured learning but for a university or mature student outside influences can be distracting so being taught study skills is very important. Different people learn in different ways so finding the best approach to learning for each individual student is important and mature learners may have a different approach than a school student. Effective study skills also help in wider life both at work and at home with organisational