1.

Study and Learning Strategies

Professor Carolyn Hopper, author of Practicing College Learning Strategies, has a wonderful web site that can provide you with concrete tips for developing a wide variety of absolutely essential study skills that will serve you in and out of school.

2.

Getting background knowledge

Having background knowledge is one of the keys to fast and efficient comprehension. If you are taking a history course, consider looking at this site to find information about topics addressed in your textbook before you begin each reading assignment. Written in wonderfully clear and direct language, it may well give you the background knowledge you need to fully understand your textbook assignments.

3.

How to succeed in academia

This site has some good information about how to go about doing academic work. It's quite comprehensive and addresses, for instance, listening along with reading. It also describes the structure of academic writing within the context of journals, and that subject doesn't normally get nearly enough attention. Don't be put off by the fact that it is listed as a web site for ESL students. There is a lot here that could benefit native-speakers as well.

4.

Tips on notetaking

Cal Newport, the author of How to Be a High School Superstar, has some really smart things to say about how to be a high-achiever in school, and he ought to know: He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth. Don't be fooled by the title of his book. What he says on the web site applies to students of all ages.