
Academic Success
Cristy Bartlett, University of Queensland
Tyler Cawthray, University of Queensland
Linda Clark, University of Queensland
Copyright Year: 2021
Publisher: University of Southern Queensland
Language: English
Conditions of Use
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
CC BY-NC-SA
Reviews
The search feature serves as a very nice index of the thorough content in this textbook. read more
The search feature serves as a very nice index of the thorough content in this textbook.
From my perspective, content is highly accurate in the field of learning strategies (from notetaking techniques, to goal setting and time management, pre-reading to critical reading, Bloom's Taxonomy and growth mindset). It's all there!
The content is highly relevant and up-to-date in the field of learning strategies (from notetaking techniques, to SMART goals, pre-reading to critical reading, Bloom's Taxonomy and growth mindset). It's all there!
Authors take a "come alongside you" approach to their writing. This is helpful, particularly since this is a textbook designed to be utilized for first-year university students. The authors are thoughtful in the way they explain how to "do" university successfully, but as importantly, why the strategies they recommend are useful. Context and meaning and interwoven from the introduction to the end of each chapter, highlighted by graphs and images as well.
The contents of the four chapters (and subchapters) flow quite well. There is an Introduction to begin - and a "Key Points" to end - each section.
Elaborating on the comments mentioned above, each chapter is broken down into sections (ex. Successful Foundations broken into EL Foundations and Working with Information). Subheadings help the reader break down text into smaller chunks to read. Aesthetically pleasing as well.
The contents of the four chapters (and subchapters) flow very well. Readers would be able to put into practice the key reading strategies shared in the book (pre-reading, skimming, scanning, detailed reading, and critical reading) because its organization is laid out nicely.
The online version is easy to navigate. I wish the search function, when used, still left the drawer on the left side of the screen where you could navigate quickly back to the chapter you were reading. There are informational graphics such as tables and flow charts throughout, and in most cases they are aesthetically pleasing.
This is a grammatically sound book.
Thank you for the acknowledgement of country statement at the beginning of this book. Authors also acknowledge that first-year students don't have to be traditional-aged (at one point referencing that students may be coming straight from secondary school, or others may be attending university after first entering the workforce). Images embedded in the chapters are thoughtful, in that they appear to represent diverse groups in terms of race and ethnicity.
As an instructor of a Learning Strategies course, I can say that this textbook has a great deal to offer students and instructors alike. It is relevant and up-to-date. It highlights the key transition issues for college students (thank you for discussing mental health issues in the book) and provides a clear roadmap that, if implemented, would help students create a collegiate environment conducive to their success. It is evident that the authors wanted to make this book as comprehensive, yet as reader-friendly as possible, for first-year students. I believe they have achieved that!
Table of Contents
- I. Part A: Successful Beginnings
- Beginnings
- Adjusting to University
- Successful Connections
- II. Part B: Successful Foundations
- English Language Foundations
- Working with Information
- III. Part C: Successful Study Skills
- Goals and Priorities
- Combatting Procrastination
- Time Management
- Study Space
- Reading
- Notetaking
- Thinking
- IV. Part D: Successful Assessment
- Managing Assessment
- Writing Assignments
- Types of Assignments
- Presentations
- Preparing for Exams
- Types of Exams
About the Book
Academic Success is designed to help students on their university journey. It is divided into four parts, each reflecting different aspects of a student’s tertiary experience. Part A: Successful Beginnings addresses what it is like to be a new student at an Australian university. Part B: Successful Foundations introduces basic skills in English language, techniques for accessing and working with information, and understanding academic integrity. Part C: Successful Study Skills presents the everyday, core skills that successful students use while at university. Lastly, Part D: Successful Assessment meets head-on the challenges of tertiary assessments. This open book ultimately aids students across all disciplines in achieving academic success at university.
About the Contributors
Authors
Cristy Bartlett, University of Queensland
Tyler Cawthray, University of Queensland
Linda Clark, University of Queensland