Lecturer IV in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Study Skills for College Success
4 Modules
8 Hours
2 hrs per module (approx.)
About Study Skills for College Success
Classes in college can be more involved and rigorous than the classroom environments you’ve been in before. “Study Skills for College Success” is a short course designed to help new University of Michigan students develop science-based study strategies. Through interactive modules on memory and motivation, study habits, lecture engagement, and exam preparation, you’ll gain confidence in managing your time and academic performance. By the end of the course, you’ll feel empowered to take charge of your learning and be able to thrive academically in your first-year courses and beyond.
This course is designed for U-M Ann Arbor students and may reference materials unavailable at other U-M campuses.
Skills You'll Gain
- Goal Setting
- Positivity
- Resilience
- Stress Management
- Study Skills
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Study Skills for College Success, a self-paced course designed to help learners build effective, research-backed study habits for college-level learning. You will explore how learning and memory work, develop sustainable study routines, improve note-taking and lecture strategies, and prepare more effectively for exams. This course emphasizes practical tools you can apply immediately to support academic success.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Start Here: Welcome
- Course Introduction
- Pre-Course Survey
- Support Resources
Module 1: Learning About Learning
- Mindset and Motivation
- Learning and Memory
- Preparing for Your Semester
- Knowledge Check: Learning About Learning
- Activity: Build Your Study Schedule
Module 2: Building Good Habits
- Effective Study Habits
- Effective Note-Taking
- Activity: Detail Your Study Schedule
- Activity: Note-Taking Practice
Module 3: Getting the Most out of Lecture
- Before Lecture
- Activity: Asking Questions in Class
- During Lecture
- After Lecture
- Activity: Count Down to Lecture
Module 4: Preparing for the Exam
- Setting Yourself Up for Success
- During the Exam
- Knowledge Check: Exam Preparation
- After the Exam
- Activity Checkpoint: Complete Your Study Schedule
Post-Course Activities
- Post-Course Survey
Grading Policy
Learners are assessed through automatically graded knowledge checks and a final activity checkpoint. The course is self-paced, and assignments do not require instructor interaction. There are two knowledge checks, each worth 30% of your final grade, and a Final Project worth 40% of your final grade. Learners must complete all required graded assessments to pass the course. Ungraded activities and surveys support learning but do not count toward the final grade.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
