Keys to Success: Building Analytical, Creative, and Practical Skills: Brief Edition

Description

The Keys message is simple -- When students understand how material will help them get where they want to go, they will become more motivated and able to retain what they learn. Because this text shows readers how what helps them succeed in colllege will also serve them on the job and in life, Keys to Success, appeals to every age (traditional and older) and stage (full-time, part-time, working, parenting) of student.

Carol Carter was a C student in high school. During her senior year, she got a wake up call when her brother told her that she had intelligence, but she wouldn't go far in life unless she believed in herself enough to work hard. She began college knowing she was "behind the 8-ball" in terms of her skills. What she lacked in experience, she made up for with elbow grease and persistence. She maximized her strength as an interpersonal and intrapersonal learner. The work paid off and she graduated college with honors and a desire to help other students. Carol is committed to helping students turn on their brains, get motivated, and discover their abilities. As President of her own company, LifeBound, she teaches study, interpersonal, and career skills to middle school and high school students in order to help them become competitive in today's global world. She trains and certifies coaches in academic coaching skills, and focuses on at-risk students with her volunteer teaching at the federal prison and her LifeBound work in the Denver housing projects. "All students are at-risk for something whether it is academic, emotional, social, or economic," says Carol. "If each of us is allowed to be human and accept our flaws, we can overcome our limitations and be the best for ourselves and others." Carol also speaks on educational topics nationally and internationally, and is pictured here with some students at the Aziza Schoolhouse in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her first book, Majoring in the Rest of Your Life, launched her writing career and opened the door to her work on the Keys to Success series. Joyce Bishop has taught college students for more than twenty years. After struggling with a learning disability as a student, she focused on her visual and logical-mathematical learning abilities and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. Right now, she is in her dream job as Staff Development Coordinator at Golden West College, training other faculty in effective teaching and learning strategies and also in how to teach online. For five years Joyce was voted "favorite teacher," and she was Teacher of the Year for 1995 and 2000. Joyce and her husband, Dave, a former high school principal, started a program 17 years ago for girls who have no family support or whose families are unable to help them through school. Since that time, the Pathways to Independence non-profit foundation has sent 215 young women to college, and 175 have graduated into gainful employment. While the girls have come from backgrounds as diverse as prison, extreme poverty, abuse, or psychological disorders, Joyce and Dave have been their champions. One of her Pathways graduates, Valerie, who obtained her degree in nursing and is now working at a major university hospital as a pediatric nurse. "It is so inspiring to see what these girls do with their lives," says Joyce, "once they know that they can do anything." Sarah Kravits lives the strategies for success she writes about. As an author and mother of three children aged 8, 5, and 2, she faces the challenges of time management, goal achievement, and fulfilling responsibilities (not to mention eating right and getting enough sleep). In her writing and research, she works to keep up with technology and the growth of knowledge. In her relationships with work colleagues all over the country as well as with friends and family, she strives for integrity, effective communication, productive teamwork, and, most of all, flexibility. Creativity also plays a dominant role. Along with her husband, an actor on Broadway and a musician, she promotes creative ideas and actions in the home (and needs lots of creativity in order to manage children's strong wills and unique personalities). Unlike Carol and Joyce, Sarah thrived in school from an early age based on her strength in verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical learning. A few years after graduating from the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar, she worked as program director for LifeSkills, Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to further the career and personal development of high school students. This work led her into co-authoring her first student success text and the realization she was driven to empower students to reach their goals. "Lifelong learning is the essential success skill," says Sarah. "I would happily trade places with my readers to have the chance to challenge my mind in a college classroom again. Learning gives you a chance to go beyond just thinking about your dreams so that you can make them happen."

Praise from instructors and students for Keys to Success, 5th Edition: There's nothing I DON'T like about Keys to Success. What I like most is thatmy students actually READ the book. The style far exceeds other texts in its welcoming, engaging atmosphere. My students use the information and strategies in the text. How could I ask for more? Patricia Parma, Palo Alto College I rate this text an "A." Keys is one of the most important books that our students will read. The value it holds for coursework and their life's work cannot be overstated. Billy Davis, Florida Community College at Jacksonville User-friendly, interesting to read! full of tips and strategies students can use. Katherine Hansen, Minnesota State University A very well laid out, student friendly, clearly written text that addresses 21st century student issues and concerns about attending college. Deryl Davis Fulmer, Milwaukee Area Technical College Keys to Success provides an exceptional overview of academic study skills... The book also introduces the idea of "Successful Intelligence." The practices it describes are perfect for helping students be successful in college. As a matter of fact, the practices are just as applicable to life and work as they are to college. Elaine J. Casquarelli, Santa Fe Community College I think the text is excellent and supports lifelong learning. The writing style! suggests a conversation between the text and its reader. Clear, "fresh," comprehensive and focuses on the "whole" student. Sound theoretical base. Christine A. Lottman, University of Cincinnati Students with every type of learning style will be able to learn and apply the concepts in [this text] in a lasting manner. LanitaLegan, TexasState University This is a very easily read, high-interest text, yet is right on as far as credibility and level of difficulty... It is well-balanced, with equal emphasis on affective skills, as well as the academic skills needed in college. Linda Lemkau, North Idaho College I like the layout and design. The reading level is easy, yet not condescending. The book is engaging. There is wonderful information presented in a concise, understandable, practical, usable manner. It is such a positive and practical text. Compared to other texts, I'd give it a definite thumbs up. Jeanine Long, Southwest Georgia Technical College I would give this text an "A" because it is very easy to understand, helpful, and provides many ways to learn the material. Mayra Pena, Student, Golden West College Keys to Success is an invaluable resource. It walks the reader through transitioning to college and demonstrates how to build intelligence that will help in allcollege classes. David G. Horn, Student, Denison University Unlike other textbooks that focus on lecturing with a certain heaviness, Carter's Keysis more interactive. Never once while reading did I feel discouraged; rather, Keysinspired and encouraged me to take the next step in my academic career with confidence. Laura Daugherty, Student, University of Colorado--Boulder The impact this book has had on my college career is invaluable. Time management is crucial and Keys to Successhas helped me learn how to efficiently manage my school work and personal life. Joshua Adam Carter, Student, The Ohio State University The work ethic Carter teaches in Keys to Success can be applied not only in the class or workplace, but in personal areas. Keys thoroughly explains the skills needed to get ahead and teaches you how to effectively implement them in your own life. Torey L. Greenwald, Student, University of Florida