THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT brings the key features and topics of the original Becoming a Master Student, but in half the size, making it ideal for shorter orientation courses and first-year experience programs. Students are asked to put new ideas into action immediately, helping them discover their abilities, think critically, and reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond. Tools such as the Discovery Wheel, the Discovery/Intention Journal Entries, Power Process articles, and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory guide students through self-assessment and discovery, creating a foundation from which to build solid strategies for academic growth. The fifth edition includes a new chapter focused on information literacy to help students navigate the constant streams of information they face every day.

Introduction: Getting Involved.
1. Using Your Learning Styles.
2. Taking Charge of Your Time & Money.
3. Achieving Your Purpose for Reading.
4. Participating in Class & Taking Notes.
5. Maximizing Your Memory & Mastering Tests.
6. Developing Information Literacy.
7. Thinking Clearly & Communicating Ideas.
8. Creating Positive Relationships.
9. Choosing Greater Health.
10. Choosing Your Major & Planning Your Career.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BECOMING A MASTER STUDENT brings the key features and topics of the original Becoming a Master Student, but in half the size, making it ideal for shorter orientation courses and first-year experience programs. Students are asked to put new ideas into action immediately, helping them discover their abilities, think critically, and reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond. Tools such as the Discovery Wheel, the Discovery/Intention Journal Entries, Power Process articles, and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory guide students through self-assessment and discovery, creating a foundation from which to build solid strategies for academic growth. The fifth edition includes a new chapter focused on information literacy to help students navigate the constant streams of information they face every day. Introduction: "The Master Student Process" now defines Discovery/Intention/Action, and the Skills Snapshot has been updated to include more on building habits. Chapter 1: Expanded the article "Using your Learning Style Profile to succeed" to better help students leverage this powerful tool. Chapter 2: Includes a new article "Setting and achieving goals." Streamlines the "Do you have a minute?" boxes. Major updates to the article "Put an end to money worries" to include more suggestions on earning more and spending less. Revised "Practicing Critical Thinking 2: Track income and expenses" box. Chapter 3: Reorganization of the chapter to keep the flow of the articles covering the three phases of Muscle Reading. Major updates to "Phase 3" of Muscle Reading. New sidebar "The magic of metacognition." Chapter 4: Expanded article "Play with note-taking formats." Chapter 5: Updated "Be ready for your next test" article to include information on digital flashcards, expanded content on planning reviews. Replaced technique #7 in "12 memory techniques" and added an action to #8. Modified "Five things to do with your study group" to be more active around self-testing. New closing "Do you have a minute?" Chapter 6: Extensively revised to focus on information literacy; all content is new or revised. Chapter 7: New "Do you have a minute?" following "Becoming a critical thinker." New "Journal Entry: Becoming a better writer." Revised Skills Snapshot. Chapter 8: Updated article "Thriving in a diverse world" to include reflection on privilege and prejudice. Revised "Managing conflict" article to include more about internal motivations.