Differences in Study Skills Knowledge between Traditional and Nontraditional Students

Many students who attend rural college campuses and community colleges are faced with specific academic challenges that differ from other institutions of higher learning. A high percentage of these students are firstgeneration college students who received little or no college preparation. Many are nontraditional students who are attending college for the first time or would like to begin a second career. This study investigated study skills knowledge in a sample of students at a rural regional campus in the hopes of identifying trends in student success. Several surveys were completed by students to assess study skills knowledge and habits, personality, and self-esteem. Completing a required study skills class did not improve GPA or skill knowledge, but study skills knowledge was significantly related to overall GPA. In addition, nontraditional students demonstrated advanced study skills knowledge compared to traditional-aged college students, and several personality traits were linked with individual study skills.