On Course

by Skip Downing

This title presents a hands-on approach to learning essential life and study skills. Now in its 6th edition it is used as a text in student success courses, first-year experience programs, and inward-looking courses that promote student growth and self-awareness.

Genres: School, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Professional Development, Academic, College

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 1995

Reviews

[carlene ☼]

I understand how it could be helpful to someone, but it just didn’t do anything for me. Most everything that was talked about that classmates got something out just felt like straightforward, common knowledge to me.

[Jack]

This is probably the most helpful book I have ever read. Chapter by chapter, the book goes over the various aspects of a college student's academic, personal, and work life. The book details each harmful choice that could be made (procrastination, truancy, poor studying skills) and what causes the student to make these seemingly idiotic choices. By exploring the motivations behind the negative choices, the book allows the student to understand why they are made and then teaches the corrective behavior accordingly.

The book is also divided into a number of "Journal Entries" that the students are meant to make. These Journal Entries allow the student to delve deep into their own psyche and develop a better understanding of themselves. The main points of each chapter are inherent in the Journal entries, and doing the entries allows the student a chance to explore their own motivations, thought processes, emotional intelligence, etc. The book encourages you to delve deeper into yourself and through that, to become a better person.

Although these things can be said about any self-help book, I feel that this one truly made a difference. I came out of this book understanding much better how I think the way I do and why. Beyond this, I came out of this book with the tools needed to make the right choices. Am I a perfect student now? No, in fact I am very behind in my work right now. Do I understand why I am behind now? Yes. Do I understand how to get ahead? Yes, and I truly believe myself capable of it now. I think that is the real blessing that this book has given me.

[Doaa]

I consider this book , the most useful book for any student . The book enrich your study skills with comparison between struggling students and successful students.Also, The book enhance personal and work skills .

Highly recommended

[Meghan]

It was alright, but I really felt like most of this was common knowledge and relatively straight-forward. Required textbook.

[Carolina]

3.5 stars
This was a textbook for one of my classes. I read the majority of it before school started, and I'm glad I did. Then today, I just finished the last section in the back about study tips. It helped get me into a good mindset for college and just kind of life in general. I'm trying not to be cheesy right now. This book is just pretty such about self-responsibly. I liked it and I'm glad that this was the required textbook for that class.

[Sandra]

A must read for anyone attending college. It's so helpful. I'm almost finished with school. I wish I had read it sooner.

[Emma]

To-the-point college success textbook.

[Jerry]

review text for 793

[Eileen Luna]

I learned alot from this book in school in the fall semester 2010 w\ the fifth edition . Still have my journal assignments that came from the book . I really enojoyed the book . It as something that I felt that I learned about myself as a person and how I learn my math . I was weak in math until I took the class that correspond w\ the book and my instructor who taught the class did a wonderful job w\ the material that was in the book . This book is an excellent tool in any college success class no how old you are . Whether if the student is just getting out of high school starting college or someone older who has been out of school for awhile and has lost touch . Great job Skip Downing love the book !!!

[Aaron]

read this for a class I was hoping I would not need to take. Although I had learned many, if not all of the information before, the reminder for how useful it is in life was enlightening to say the least.
Even though it's designed for college students, I think everybody should read it if they get the chance.
A new, or soon to be college student should read it as well, to let them know if they are really ready, and to help them along the way.

[Casey]

This seems overly dramatic, but out of honesty. This book fell into my lap a few years ago while life felt as though it was hanging by a thread. If there was ever a book to save a college student from themselves, this is it.
I still pick this text up when I lose all perspective. Effective practices that anyone can travel with at all points of life. :)

[Lucie]

This book changed my life for the better! Learning about the different mindsets and that you have the power to choose which mindset you are in was an eyeopener for me! If you feel off-course in life, NEED to read this book!

[J.J. Lyon]

Loved the textbook. I will definitely be keeping this. Many great quotes and supportive concepts are in this book. I could have just read this book instead of all the other parts of the graduate course.

[Melissa Brogan]

A few tidbits made interesting food for thought, but honestly I wouldn't have read this if it wasn't part of a college course.

[Missy]

This is the book I'm teaching out of this fall. It has some great points! I just don't like reading textbooks in a matter of days. I'm used to having a full semester to read them!

[Samra]

very helpful. has steps, behaviors and habits to use to keep yourself on course to your dreams and goals. it is very motivational.

[Vampyre]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jennifer]

I use as my text book

[Jorge Chuva]

ok

[Melinda]

I actually read the 8th edition. Has some good ideas that I hope to add to my work with students in trouble.

[Becca]

College Success Summer 2020

[Carlos Ruelas]

4.1 ⭐️
Read this for college as a reguired read. I enjoyed it and thought there was a lot to take from it.

[Christina Callahan]

Has some really great journal/surveys. Real strategies to help you in both school and life.

[Sara Maese]

had to use this book for school ...the author is rascist and this book was just crap.