7 Key Academic Skills and How to Improve Them

Success in college goes beyond attending class — online or face-to-face — and completing assignments. Thriving academically requires mastering a set of skills that empower you to learn effectively, think critically, manage your time, and communicate clearly. These abilities not only shape your academic journey but also prepare you for long-term professional success.

Academic skills are the abilities, strategies, and habits that help you succeed in your studies throughout your entire college career. They cover areas such as research, writing, critical thinking, time management, and more.

The good news? Even if you feel unprepared for the demands of college, these skills can be developed and strengthened throughout your post-secondary education.

This article will explore various academic skills, why they’re important, key skills you should master as an online student, and practical strategies for improving them.

Academic Skills and Their Importance

Mastering academic skills is vital for achieving success in college and beyond. These skills form the foundation that supports learning, academic performance, and professional readiness. Without strong academic skills, even if you are the most motivated student, you may find yourself struggling to meet deadlines, retain information, or communicate your ideas effectively.

Developing these skills can help you achieve:

• Increased productivity: Learn to manage your time more efficiently and complete tasks more effectively.
• Transferable workplace skills: Gain abilities such as communication, problem-solving, and research, which are highly valued in any professional setting.
• Career success: Mastering academic skill sets can prepare you for lifelong learning and advancement in your career.

To support you in your academic journey, Purdue Global offers academic support services designed to promote success, resilience, and overall well-being.

7 Key Academic Skills for Online Students

If you are pursuing your education online, you may require greater self-discipline and independence than those attending in-person classes. Here are seven core academic skills you should try to master as an online college student.

1. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze information, solve problems, and understand concepts. In an online environment where information is abundant but not always accurate — with 62% of online information potentially being false — critical thinking helps evaluate sources, engage thoughtfully with peers, and build strong arguments.

Tips for improving critical thinking include asking questions, evaluating arguments critically, challenging assumptions, and learning how to identify credible academic sources.

2. Clear and Coherent Writing

Clear and coherent writing is crucial for academic success. It involves taking effective notes, writing essays, and communicating ideas in a structured and concise way. In both educational and professional contexts, strong academic writing skills ensure your ideas are understood and respected.

Some ways to enhance your writing include outlining your work, using grammar tools such as spell check or Grammarly, and always taking the time to review and revise your writing. You can also explore other steps to improve your writing skills.

3. Assignment Interpretation and Following Instructions

Understanding and following assignment instructions is an essential academic skill that can directly impact success, as many assignments include specific requirements. These predefined criteria may include citing a minimum number of sources or adhering to a particular citation style, such as American Psychological Association (APA).

APA style is commonly used in higher learning and can be particularly difficult for some students to follow due to its detailed formatting rules. Misunderstanding assignment guidelines or citation formats and failing to meet expectations can hurt your grades and cause you to do additional work.

To stay on track:

• Read the assignment guidelines carefully
• Highlight key requirements, such as citation count or formatting style
• Ask your instructor for clarification before beginning an assignment if there is anything you don’t understand

4. Computer and Technology Skills

Strong computer literacy skills are essential for success in an online learning environment since classes, assignments, and communications are digital. From submitting assignments through your learning management system (LMS) to participating in virtual lectures to managing cloud-based storage platforms and word processors, comfort with digital tools is essential.

In addition to supporting your academic success, technical skills and technology literacy are important transferable skills for your future success, as most industries require the use and understanding of at least basic technology.

Here are some tips to help you develop your basic computer and technology understanding:

• Take computer skills or digital literacy courses.
• Attend or watch virtual tutorials on software such as Word, Excel, or Google Docs.
• Explore your university’s LMS to get comfortable with navigation, notifications, and submission tools.
• Participate in any available orientation or tech training sessions your school offers.
• Bookmark tech support and online library services for quick support.

5. Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand and retain information you’ve read, and it is vital for studying, researching, and writing papers. Without strong comprehension skills, you may miss critical details, leading to misunderstandings in assignments or exams.

To improve your reading comprehension, try summarizing material after reading, asking questions to deepen your understanding, and taking strategic notes.

6. Research Proficiency

Most college assignments require some amount of research, which involves understanding how to formulate the questions that will inform your assignment, finding credible sources, and using effective search strategies.

Many universities offer library support services, such as Purdue Global’s Ask a Librarian tool, which can be invaluable for navigating databases and finding peer-reviewed articles. Remember to use academic databases and verify the credibility of a source before including it in your work.

7. Time Management

Effective time management can help you prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and balance academic, personal, and professional responsibilities. It's important to estimate how much time you'll need to devote to your studies to create a schedule and manage your time effectively. For example, Purdue Global recommends planning for 15 to 25 hours per week for each course — a key guideline for setting realistic expectations.

Self-discipline — the ability to stay motivated and focused — goes hand in hand with prioritizing tasks and managing time. Likewise, multitasking — working on several projects simultaneously — requires strong scheduling skills to ensure assignments and goals are completed by predetermined deadlines.

To improve your chances for success, use a planner, set clear schedules and goals, and consider setting alarms or timers to stay on track.

How to Improve Academic Skills

Improving your academic skills is a continuous process that demands dedication and the right resources. Here are some actionable strategies you can take:

• Access academic support services: Purdue Global offers various academic support services, including tutoring, writing centers, and academic workshops to assist you in your learning.
• Practice regularly: Incorporate academic skills into your daily tasks and assignments. The more you practice critical thinking, time management, and research, the stronger those skills will become.
• Use educational tools and technology: Explore study tools for staying focused, managing coursework, and improving your note-taking skills.
• Familiarize yourself with library resources: Resources such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost can support your academic research needs.
• Set SMART goals: Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help you create clear pathways for improving skills.

Remember, growth in these areas doesn’t happen overnight. Regular practice, reflection, and a willingness to seek help when needed are key components of success.

Elevate Your Academic Skills With Purdue Global

Academic success is a journey that involves building, practicing, and refining essential skills over time. At Purdue Global, we’re committed to providing the tools and resources you need to succeed.

Are you ready to build your academic toolkit and take charge of your educational future? Learn more about Purdue Global's online degrees and certificates, or request more information today.

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