1. INTRODUCTION

Appendix A: Diagnostic Questionnaire

 2. LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS

2.1 Introductory Remarks

2.2 Developing Life Skills That Ensure Success

i. Attitude

ii. Managing Stress

iii. Motivation

iv. Goal Setting

v. Positive Thinking

vi. Perseverance

vii. Self-Confidence

viii. Powers of Concentration

2.3 Concluding Comments

Exercise 1

 3. TIME MANAGEMENT

3.1 Introductory Remarks

3.2 How are You Currently Using Your Time?

3.3 Steps You can Take to Manage Your Time More Effectively

i. Draw Up a Plan of Action

ii. Complete a ‘To Do' List

iii. Make a Study Schedule

iv. Organize Your Study Environment

v. Control Extra-Curricular Activities

vi. Eradicate Procrastination

3.4 Concluding Comments

Appendix B: Sample of a Schedule

Exercise 2

 4. NOTE WRITING SKILLS

4.1 Introductory Remarks

4.2 The Advantages of Learning From Your Own Notes

4.3 The Dangers of Learning Directly From Textbooks

4.4 Why Write Notes

4.5 What Your Notes Should Contain

4.6 At What Stage do You Actually Start Writing Notes?

4.7 Points to Bear in Mind When Writing Notes

4.8 Keywords

Exercise 3

4.8 Formats in Writing Notes

i. Summary

ii. The Outline Method

4.9 Concluding Comments

Appendix C: Abstract Example of the Outline Method

Appendix D: Concrete Example of the Outline Method

Appendix E: Common Abbreviations and Symbols

Exercise 4

 

5. MEMORY TECHNIQUES

5.1 Introductory Remarks

5.2 The Dangers of Learning ‘by Heart'

5.3 The Memorizing Process

5.4 Factors That Enhance the Memorizing Process

5.5 Memory Aids or Joggers or Triggers

i. Visualization

ii. Association

iii. Mnemonics

iv. Pegs

v. Mind Mapping

5.6 Summary of the Learning Process

5.7 Concluding Comments

Appendix F: Example of Mind Mapping: Tree

Appendix G: Example of Mind Mapping: Bubble

Appendix H: Using Memory Aids to Remember Meanings of Words

Appendix I: Using Memory Aids to Recall Labels of a Diagram

Appendix J: Grouping Exercise

Exercise 5

 

6. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

6.1 Introductory Remarks

6.2 Formal Examinations as a Method of Assessment

i. Preparing for Formal Examinations

ii. Writing Formal Examinations

iii. Formats of Formal Examinations (Essay, Multiple-Choice, Problem-Solving, Oral and Open Book Examinations)

6.3 Two Other Popular Methods of Assessment

i. Case Study

ii. Portfolio of Evidence

6.4 Concluding Comments

Appendix K: Common Keywords Used in Essay Questions

Appendix L: Template of a Portfolio of Evidence

Exercise 6

 

 

 

7. READING SKILLS

7.1 Introductory Remarks

Exercise 7

7.2 Principal Causes of Poor or No Comprehension

i. Lack/Loss of Concentration

ii. Slow Rate of Reading

iii. Poor Vocabulary

iv. Inadequate Prior Knowledge

7.3 Basic Structure of a Text

7.4 Kinds of Comprehension

i. Literal Comprehension

ii. Critical Comprehension

iii. Aesthetic Comprehension

7.5 Different Ways of Reading

i. Skimming

ii. Scanning

iii. Speed Reading

Exercises 8 - 17

7.6 Extracting the Maximum From Written Material

i. Survey

ii. Question

iii. Read

 

iv. Recall

v. Review

7.7 Concluding Comments

Appendix M: Prefixes

Appendix N: Suffixes

Appendix O: Greek/Latin Root Words

Appendix P: Common Foreign Words and Phrases

Appendix Q: Using a Library

Appendix R: Use of a Dictionary

Appendix S: Some Words That You Should Know at Tertiary Level

Appendix T: Words and Phrases That Qualify Meanings of Sentences

Exercise 18

 

8. WRITING AND RESEARCH SKILLS

8.1 Introductory Remarks

8.2 Basic Framework of Every Essay or Research Project

i. Introduction

ii. Body

iii. Conclusion

8.3 Steps to be Followed in Essay Writing

i. Analysis

ii. Research

iii. Read

iv. Planning and Producing the Outline

v. Writing the Introduction and Conclusion

vi. Producing the First Draft

vii. Producing Subsequent Drafts

viii. Editing the paper

ix. Table of contents, footnotes and bibliography

x. Print or Neatly Write the Final paper 

8.4 Research Projects

i. General Observations

ii. The Anatomy of a Research Project

8.5 Concluding Comments

Appendix U: Citation

Appendix V: Example of a Bibliography Card

Appendix W: Example of a Format of a Thesis or Research Project

Appendix X: Schedule for Analysing and Interpreting Data

Appendix Y: Alternatives to the Words ‘Said' and ‘Told'

Exercise 19

 

 

9. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

9.1 Introductory Remarks

9.2 The Process

9.3 The Medium

 

9.4 Effective Communication

i. What Communication Must Achieve in Order to be Effective

ii. How to Ensure Effective Communication

9.5 Responsibility to Communicate

9.6 Oral Communication Skills – Listening Skills

i. Suggestions to Enhance your Listening Skills

ii. Extracting the Maximum from Lessons/Lectures

9.7 Oral Communication Skills – Speaking Skills

9.7.1 The Four Main Aims of Public Speaking

9.7.2 Preparing and Delivering Your Speech

i. Planning your Speech

ii. Writing your Speech

iii. Practising your Speech

iv. Making or Delivering your Speech

v. Answering Questions

9.8 Concluding Comments

Appendix Z: Verbal Signals or Clues

Exercise 20

 

10. LOGICAL THINKING SKILLS

10.1 Introductory Remarks

10.2 What is Logic?

 

10.3 Some Basic Concepts in Logic

i. Argument, Subargument and Nonargument

ii. Premiss and Conclusion

iii. Inference

iv. Syllogism

Exercise 21

10.4   Different Kinds of Arguments

i. Deductive Argument

ii. Inductive Argument

10.5 Relevance of Factual Truth or Factual Falsity to Logic

Exercise 22

10.6 Evaluating Arguments

i. Evaluating a Deductive Argument

ii. Evaluating an Inductive Argument

Exercises 23 - 24

10.7 Fallacies

i. Some Well-Known Fallacies

10.8 Special Notes

10.9 Concluding Comments

Exercise 25

Appendix AA: Fun With Logic: Puzzles and Riddles

 

 

11. LATERAL THINKING SKILLS

11.1 Introductory Remarks

11.2 Tools that Promote Lateral Thinking Skills

i. Plus, Minus and Interest (PMI)

ii. Consider All Factors (CAF)

iii. Alternatives, Possibilities and Choices (APC)

iv. Aims, Goals and Objectives (AGO)

v. Consequences & Sequels (C&S)

vi. Other People's Views (OPV)

vii. First Important Priorities (FIP)

viii. Planning

Exercises 26 - 32

11.3 Problem-Solving Techniques

Exercise 33

 

12. Conclusion 

Answers