College Skills Inventory(TM)

Please answer the following questions about how you would describe your college skills, habits, and perspectives.

Click the “submit” button to score below when finished.

1. For doing well, the most important part of a class is:

Doing consistent, daily work such as doing assigned readings and basic studying.
Studying for exams to score well on all tests and finals.
Scoring well on end of term papers because they hold the highest points for the class.

2. For my classes I have become good at:

Digesting large amounts of reading for classes, such as the text and other materials.
Understanding the Teacher's handouts since most test questions came from them.
Studying my class notes and matching them to the text to see how they overlap.

3. For my studies I normally:

Stay on top of the work for all of my classes.
Get to my class work after other things, like team practice, clubs, or friends.
Put off finishing work then catch up all at once.

4. I have tasks that I do for daily studying like:

Highlighting assigned reading, taking notes on what I read, and making flashcards.
Re-reading my class notes and covering the powerpoints again.
I don't really study on a daily basis, just when I have a test.

5. In college, I would expect the amount of work I would have to do outside of class is:

30 minutes for each time a class meets.
One or two hours of outside class work for each time it meets.
Two to three hours of outside class work for each time it meets.

6. The best way to be prepared for any exam is to:

Work and study consistently every day so that I can prepare well later.
Gather my notes and focus on test preparation four days ahead.
Learn all of the information a Professor gives in the study guide.

7. The most effective way to learn information is to:

Take notes on what I've read, make flash cards, and organize the information in to diagrams.
Attend every class lecture, take notes, and pay attention to what is being said.
Form a weekly study group with classmates to discuss the class information among ourselves.

8. When trying to study or get work done I normally:

Work or study at home in a common area like the kitchen or living room.
Find a quiet place, like a library or specific room at home.
Multi-task, like study plus watch videos, be on Facebook, or other things.

9. When preparing for an exam it's critical to:

Talk to students who previously took the same class to see what the tests are like.
Know what chapters, lectures, and readings will be covered on the exam.
Make sure that all of my notes are complete and ask friends if I am missing some notes.

10. When getting ready for an exam I:

Review my class notes and handouts so that I am prepared for the test.
Make a very strenuous effort to memorize and learn the information thoroughly.
Rely on my good memory to get me through the exam, which usually works.

11. When preparing for exams it's best to:

Start 24 hours before so the information is fresh in my mind.
Start two or three days before to give myself enough time to study.
Start a week or even more before to make sure I learn the material well.

12. I know I'm ready for an exam when:

I know the information perfectly, inside and out.
I have studied for a certain amount of hours and felt I'm ready.
I start to become brain dead on the material so I know I must be ready.

13. When preparing for a test I tend to:

Begin early so I have don't have to study in a rush later.
Put it off completely until the night before, then stay up late to be ready.
Try to start early, but I always have so much else to do.

14. When preparing for exams I usually study:

The notes that I took during class.
My class notes, plus the text book.
My notes, text, and any other assigned materials.

15. Essay tests tend to be:

Easier to prepare for than multiple choice tests.
Harder to prepare for than multiple choice tests.
About the same difficulty to prepare for as multiple choice tests.

16. When taking tests I:

Usually feel confident because I've always been a good test taker.
Have a clear method or strategy for taking tests that helps me to do well.
Try to take the test in at least some organized and logical way.

17. When taking an exam, I normally:

Answer the test questions in the order presented no matter what.
Answer the test questions I know first to secure the points.
Tackle the hardest questions first, then save the easier ones for last.

18. When taking an essay test I usually:

Try to be concise and give a brief but good answer to the question.
Jot down my initial thoughts on the test or extra paper so I can give an organized answer.
Write as much as possible to increase the odds of scoring points and doing well on the test.

19. For tests and homework I find that I:

Do well on the homework, then score poorly on the exam.
Do poorly on the homework then better on the exam.
Do similarly well on both the homework and on the exam.

20. For writing assignments I tend to:

Write best in a very personal and creative style.
Write best with scholarly material, like analyses or reports with references.
Write equally well in both personal and scholarly formats.

21. I usually start papers and projects:

A day or two before since I like to do them all at once.
A week or so before before because I have other classes to consider.
Far in advance so I can plan them and get feedback from the Teacher.

22. When a paper or project allows me to construct it any way that I want, I normally:

Ask my friends how they are going to complete theirs.
Stick to a traditional format, like including an introduction, conclusions, and other areas.
Meet with the Teacher to get their feedback on my plans.

23. My most valued writing skill is:

My natural writing style, I'm often told that I'm a good writer.
My ability to follow a format, such as MLA style for English or other papers.
My flexibility, I can write position papers, reaction papers, and in other formats.

24. The key step for writing a paper for a class is:

Choosing an exciting, contemporary, or newsworthy topic to grab the reader's attention.
Planning the flow of the paper, including what sections should be in it.
Writing eloquently, such as using good terminology, vocabulary, and phrasing.

25. For writing assignments:

I can complete written assignments easily and turn them in on time.
Can finish writing assignments, but sometimes have a hard time finding the right words.
I don't like writing, I tend to have a hard time with it overall.

26. When writing a paper I usually:

Write best in "one shot" the day before it's due, since I think more clearly that way.
Can always express my thoughts in writing, and normally don't get tongue-tied when writing.
End up procrastinating when writing a paper, so I end up doing it in a rush at the last minute.

27. For a written paper or essay, the most important part is:

Saying enough to increase the chances of getting full credit.
Including the proper heading areas, such as an introduction and conclusions.
Focusing on answering the question given for the assignment.

28. In class if I don't understand something I usually:

Raise my hand to ask questions to clarify so I will understand.
Keep listening, but sometimes raise my hand to ask a question.
I don't like to call attention to myself, so I don't really ask questions in class.

29. I am the type of student that:

Does just fine in classes without having to talk with the Teacher.
Will approach a Teacher only if there is a problem like a bad grade.
Talks with Teachers often and enjoys interacting with them.

30. I will normally talk with a Teacher when:

I've earned a low grade to find out how to correct it.
Before things become a problem to prevent bad grades.
I don't like talking with Teachers and only do this as a last resort.

31. If I get stuck on homework or other things for school I usually:

Do an internet search to try and find the answer.
Ask the Teacher directly for help.
Talk to my friends or classmates to see how they're doing it.

32. When I need to ask for help I:

Can formulate the questions to get exactly the help I need.
Have a general idea of what to ask to get help, but don't always have specific questions.
May not even know what kind of help I need, beyond just being lost.

33. If I had a bad grade in a class I would most likely:

Talk with the Teacher to see what I could do to improve it.
Avoid talking with the Teacher out of embarrassment.
Try to find a private tutor and handle it on my own.

34. When I want to talk with a Teacher about something I:

Might have a general idea of what I want to talk about.
Know exactly I what to discuss, like an upcoming test or paper.
I'm not really sure why I would talk with a Teacher or what I'd discuss.

35. Early in the term I usually:

Get organized by getting notebooks and a planner to track everything that I must do.
Go through my books to see how hard the information will be.
Let the classes progress to see how hard they will be and how much work I'll have to do.

36. At regular points in the term I normally:

Check my current class grades to see how I'm doing.
Meet with my guidance counselor to talk about my future.
Meet with a tutor to work on specific subjects.

37. When it comes to homework I usually:

Do the work that I can finish then skip the rest.
Complete all of the assigned work for my classes.
Ignore it if it's too hard, then say I didn't have any if anyone asks.

38. To keep track of all of my work I normally:

Check my notebook for what the Teacher said in the last class.
Use a planner, calendar, or app to track all of my responsibilities.
Ask my friends what is due the next day for classes.

39. Important parts of a class to keep track of are:

The exam dates, chapters covered, and when papers are due.
The attendance policy that says how many classes you can miss.
The point value for exams, homework, papers, or projects

40. If a Teacher reschedules an exam, I would:

Wait for them to announce the new exam date in class.
Consistently check with them for the new exam date.
Keep up with the work in case they give the test unannounced.

41. When I get an exam or paper back I:

Compare my score to the class average to see how well I really did.
Talk with the Teacher about the questions I missed to improve for next time.
Review the questions I missed on my own so I can learn from my mistakes.

42. I usually choose hobbies and non-class activities that:

Make my participation mandatory, such as team sports.
Only encourage my participation, like clubs where I can miss if I need to.
Don't require my participation, and come second to my classes.

43. For extracurricular activities, I tend to choose:

Teams, band or other activities with daily practice every week.
Clubs or other activities that only meet periodically.
Personal hobbies or activities that I can do when I want.

44. I tend to make decisions that:

Give me a balance of having a social life, yet keeping up with my classes.
Prioritize my school work, like not going out the night before an exam.
Put my social life first, my classes often wind up being an afterthought.

45. I feel that I normally:

Use my time very well, and manage to get a great deal of work done.
Am usually big procrastinator, and put things off until the last minute.
Can get things done, but sometimes need reminders just to finish work.

46. When I'm given an assignment or task for school I:

Make strong efforts to clarify what the Teacher expects.
Rely on my own experience when tackling new kinds of tasks.
Seek advice from my friends or classmates to see how they are doing it.

47. I can honestly say that I:

Am a very productive person and work every day on readings, studying, or other work for classes.
Get moderate amounts of work done, but not to the degree that I'm at the top of the class.
Don't get as much done as I would like to or should, I could be more productive with school work.

48. In my studies I feel that:

I'm on top of things and in control of my academic life.
I often feel out of control of my academics, and become very worried.
Feel that I am trying my best, and that the grades that I get are outside of my control.

49. For classes I prefer to:

Constantly look ahead to see what tasks are coming so I know what I should be doing now.
Wait for the Teacher to announce tests or assignments and then begin to prepare.
Keep pace with my classmates and complete work at the level that they do.

50. When I know a test or paper is coming I:

Wait for the Teacher to discuss the details of it in class.
Talk to the Teacher about it and don't wait for them to get around to it.
Ask my classmates what they think about the test or the paper that's coming.

51. When I have work to do I usually:

Wait and then get it done just before it is due.
Fit it in to my schedule after my many other commitments.
Do it right away, because I don't like procrastinate.

52. For school work I normally:

Meet regularly with Teachers and school staff about my classes or other topics.
Meet with them only if needed, I usually get things done without their help.
Try not to meet with Teachers or school staff, I really don't enjoy those meetings.

53. For being productive with work I:

Have ways to keep myself most productive, like using different work places or other ways.
Can be somewhat productive, but classes often compete with my friends or extracurricular activities.
I'm not too concerned with being productive, I do well with just my natural abilities.

54. When I'm trying to get work done I usually:

Make an initial effort, but can become distracted some of the time.
Avoid the things that I know will distract me until I am done with work.
Work at the same time that I am doing other things, like watching TV.

55. I know that I do better with classes that:

Require more memorization, like Biology and History.
Require more hands on work, like art classes.
Require more writing, like English classes.

56. When it comes to being motivated I:

Know what motivates me, like being around motivated friends, classmates, or other influences.
Have some idea of what motivates me, but I'm not really able to define what does.
I'm not really sure of what motivates me, my motivation seems to come and go without much reason.

57. When trying to get work done I've noticed that:

There is a time and place when I work best, but I don't use it consistently to get work done.
There are various times and places where I work best and I use them to be productive.
I haven't really noticed times or places that make a difference in getting work done.

58. I've noticed that for starting work I:

Have to be in the mood to work, otherwise I won't get anything done.
Can use different locations to help me get working, like going to the library or other rooms at home.
My desire to do work really depends on whether I like the subject or the Teacher.

59. In my life I have:

I have a vision for the future and work to achieve it each day.
I see my future as open ended and I am still making decisions about it.
I don't really have a plan or vision for the future, I'm happy letting things unfold.

60. For earning a college degree I feel that:

A college education will be valuable to me in the future.
I'm not certain that college is the right path for me.
A college degree would be beneficial but is not necessary for my life.

61. For my future academics I:

Know what field of study I want to pursue and feel happy with that choice.
Have a general idea of what I would like to study, but nothing specific.
Have no idea of what I would want to study or how to make that choice.

62. I want to do well in school mainly because:

I have an inner desire to achieve academically.
Succeeding in school is something people and society expect it of me.
I am not really concerned with doing well in school, just passing.

63. I have study routines that:

I would do every day no matter what, like doing homework after school or going to the library.
I have some study routines, but find that I'm not consistent with sticking to them.
I don't really have any study routines, I just study as needed like before an exam.

64. In my current learning environment I:

Am enjoying what I am learning, which motivates me to learn more.
Enjoy some of my classes, but have a hard time becoming interested in others.
Really don't see any connection between what I'm learning now and my future.

65. In my school I:

I have been able to get to know Teachers, and they recognize me and know my name.
I know a few of Teachers, but the rest don't really know me that well.
I don't know many Teachers, and don't really want to get to know them.

66. For my interacting with classmates I:

Have a few friends at school, butI don't really know my classmates too well.
Have made friends at school and have a good relationship with my classmates.
Don't really have friends at school, and don't really want to know my classmates.

67. For earning good grades I:

Like earning good grades and see it as a friendly competition between me, the Teacher, and my classmates.
Enjoy it when I get a good grade, but I'm not really seeking good grades in my classes.
Am surprised when I get a good grade since I don't really study or put much effort in to my classes.

68. For doing well in my classes I:

Can earn good grades just working on my own, and don't need to constantly monitored just to get things done.
Can do well but need to be reminded or pushed to do my best.
Do the minimum amount of work necessary to just get by with passing grades.

69. When I attend my classes I:

Pay attention in class, but usually haven't made an effort to be prepared to participate.
Like being prepared for class so that the Teacher and my classmates think the best of me.
Just take notes in class, I'm not really concerned whether I'm prepared to discuss things.

70. I believe that:

If I work hard now then I will reap the benefits later in life.
I'm just exploring things now, and what I do in the present probably won't affect my future.
I'm not worried about my present too much, I plan on working hard later on.

71. For earning good grades I believe that:

Natural intelligence always beats hard work.
Hard work always beats natural intelligence.
Being a good test taker beats both hard work and natural intelligence.

72. For my future life I believe that:

Getting a job might be the best thing, I haven't thought much about college.
Earning a college degree is very important to my future.
I might try college, but I'm not sold on its importance to my future.

73. When I think about friends and work I:

Would rather spend time with my friends, my classes are usually second.
Would rather spend time on my classes, I'm not a very big people person.
I like being around friends, but not at the expense of my class work.

74. What I would rather do most is:

Go to sporting events or hang out with friends.
Spend time reading to learn about new things.
Work on studying or class requirements, I don't like to waste time.

75. The effort I make for classes tends to:

Vary based on how much I like the Teacher or the subject.
Be good, but I have a hard time if the subject is boring.
I try my best in all classes, whether I like them or not.

76. What always comes first with me is my:

My friends and my social life.
School is equally important to my friends and social life.
School work and being successful in my classes comes first.

77. I would rather learn how to:

Design and build things, like projects for electronics, art, or other topics.
Solve problems, write in different formats, and research unfamiliar topics.
Record videos, and then post them to the internet or social sites.

78. What I enjoy the most is:

Being a good friend and classmate.
Being good at writing in a variety of ways.
Being a good student and learning every day.

79. I have a natural curiosity about:

Learning things, like researching topics, solving complex problems, or analyzing ideas.
Crafting things, like out of wood, metal, clay, or art supplies.
Creating things, like short stories, fictional characters, or fantasy works.

80. When it comes to attending school I:

Always go to school whether I feel like it or not, and never make excuses to skip.
Find myself staying home sometimes because I didn't study for a test or have fallen behind.
Try to stay as home as much as I can, I'm not really thrilled with school.

81. For my classes I usually:

Look forward to going to class, learning, participating, and feel that my studies are worthwhile.
Don't really look forward to going to class, I don't see in any meaning in what I'm doing.
Am indifferent to my classes, I'm just getting through the here and now.

82. When it comes to work I normally:

Stay on top of my work, because it feels terrible to be behind.
Keep most of it completed, but some I have some I need to catch up on.
Procrastinate doing work, then end up panicking at the last minute just to get it done.

83. When the pressure is on I usually:

Remain clear and focused, and rise to the challenge.
End up feeling stressed out, and often give up easily.
Work in the same way that I do during non-pressure times.

84. My friends and family would describe me as:

Being pretty focused and on top of things.
Being fairly forgetful, unprepared, and disorganized.
Being in to my own thing mostly but still ok with my classes.

85. For my homework I usually:

Will try to finish it, but if it seems too hard I just won't get it done.
Finish what I can, and then skip what I don't understand.
Don't give up on homework because I don't understand it, I work at it until I get it right.

86. If I began to do poorly in a class I would probably:

Avoid speaking with the Teacher completely due to embarrassment.
Try to find a tutor to help me to improve my grade on my own.
Talk with the Teacher to see what I can do to improve my grade.

87. With classes I normally find myself:

Doing pretty well, usually with excellent grades in all of my classes.
Doing ok with grades, with mostly B's and C's in all of my classes.
Doing so poorly that I don't even want to talk with the Teacher about what I can do to improve.

88. In the morning I:

Need someone to wake me up or I just won't make it to school.
Sleep in as much as I can, but still make it to school on time.
Can get myself out of bed and make it to school on time on my own.

89. For assigned homework I:

Finish what I know will be graded, and don't pay much attention to what the teacher won't see.
Finish the assigned work even if I know the Teacher will not be checking to see if it is done.
Finish homework for the classes that I like, and usually skip the rest.

90. For finishing school work I usually:

Can get some things done on my own, but might get off track after a while.
Can work independently and never need to be constantly monitored just to get things done.
Need someone to constantly check on me or I really won't do anything work-wise.

91. In situations where I must finish work I:

Do best in situations where I get a lot of direct help.
Do best in situations where I can get help if I need it.
Do well in any situation, including those where I won't get much help.