Online Research and Writing Courses

Every major is different. Not only do you learn different things, you are expected to complete different assignments and analyze questions in different ways. Many high school students become accustomed to completing the same types of assignments and excel in this environment. For them, college can be a huge adjustment. Getting used to the quick pace is hard enough and throwing in unfamiliar coursework is often overwhelming.

These study tools are designed for students confronting unfamiliar problems and struggling to stay current with their classes. Each is tailored to the specific subject it is included in, though there may be some crossover. Study skills for physics courses, for example, would work equally well in chemistry or other mathematically oriented classes. Similarly, some students might find study skills for other types of courses more applicable to their own work, and shouldn’t be afraid to use them. The guidelines are not set in stone, they simply are meant to lead you to increased academic success. Feel free to browse each of the sections to find advice that works for you.

• General

  Unlike the resources below, those in this category host resources for many different disciplines. Some of them only feature writing suggestions while others cover a broad range of topics. The assignment calculator is a valuable ruler to estimate how much time you need to allot to finish a project. Take your time with these tools since they have a lot to offer.

  • The CAL Learning Strategies Database has resources for college, high school and post-graduate students to save time studying and specific resources for many disciplines.
  • The Student Guide to Writing a Term Paper includes general tips for writing assignments and the best method to complete each step.
  • Tips on Writing Introductions provides a couple examples which are commonly used in academic papers.
  • The Assignment Calculator by the University of Minnesota is a time management tool to see what needs to be done each day for a particular discipline.
  • Academic Vocabulary lists jargon from some of the more popular fields of academia to speak and write like a scholar.

• Accounting

  • A Guide for Students Studying Accounting explains what to focus on when in class, reading or completing problems to make sure you understand the information.
  • Accounting instructor Ken Harper has 10 tips to study accounting that summarize how to take advantage of your classroom and academic resources for the most gain.
  • How to Study Accounting discusses how we learn and applies it to the requirements of an accounting course including reading textbooks, completing assignments and studying for tests.

• Anthropology

  • The Guidelines for Summarizing Articles and Chapters shows the proper way to cite sources within your essay, which is a large part of writing for anthropology.
  • How to Write an Anthropology Paper guides students through the process of outlining, writing and submitting their work and clarifies what common grading terms mean.
  • Citing Sources in Anthropology is just as important as in another fields and is a requirement of most essays you will produce.

• Art

  • Writing About Art has some ideas for papers about art and goes through the brainstorming, outlining and writing processes with advice for different types of art.
  • Writing the Art History Paper gives strategies on how to brainstorm effectively and what to focus on while writing to ace your essay.
  • Analysis of an Original Artwork is an example of one type of paper common in Art History courses and the details to focus on.
  • Process of Writing an Art History Paper is a comprehensive guide to the requirements of an essay and includes helpful ways to organize your information and flesh out your arguments.
  • Visual Analysis Tips are ways to analyze the aesthetics of an art piece to make claims in your assignments.

• Astronomy

  • Great Expectations explains the differences between college and high school course and gives some basic approaches for studying astronomy.
  • Studying from the Textbook offers practical advice to get the most out of your reading by knowing what is expected beforehand.
  • The Changing Sun and Moon is an example assignment from an astronomy course and includes both bad and good work to understand what professors are looking for.

• Biology

  • West Valley College Biology Study Skills lists 4 factors that effect your studying and how to maximize your effectiveness in these different aspects.
  • How to Study Biology (and succeed) explains the obligations of biology students and how to use concept maps to improve studying and retention.
  • The Biology Tutorial Program covers all the activities included in studying for biology and the most efficient ways to complete them.
  • Biology Study Skills consists of 19 tips to follow for reading, course planning, writing and reviewing your notes.
  • Biology Reading Skills suggests ways to get the most out of your reading by recording important information and ensuring you understand the topics with short self-quizzes.
  • Taking Notes and Reading lists tips to get more information out of class and study sessions by improving your note taking and recognizing what is important.
  • Three Dozen Study Tips for Introductory Biology provides different study methods for students to find which is most beneficial for them.
  • How to Study for Biology Exams and Quizzes recommends flash cards to prepare for tests and advises the best ways to make them.
  • Sample Lab Report is a reference for students to understand what needs to be documented in a lab to fully describe the methods and observations.
  • Formatting Science Reports describes the standard method for lab reports and when this template is most commonly used.
  • Structure of a Lab Report gives the basic layout required from Biocore students at the University of Wisconsin.
  • Writing in the Biological Sciences offers many guidelines for how to use different types of words and how to use them in a scientific paper.
  • Writing in Biology includes rubrics for what to put in each section of a lab report and the best way to organize the information.
  • Professors’ Perspectives on Student Writing contains the opinions of a few teachers on what to focus on and avoid in biology papers.
  • Short Answers for Tests (and Homework Questions) guides biology students in writing brief responses to test questions and at home assignments.
  • Summarizing a Scientific Article shows how to include previous research in your paper and use it to enhance your claims, not substitute for them.
  • The Scientific Paper outlines the sections of a biology essay and gives good and bad examples for each part.
  • Developing a Poster Presentation provides information on how to construct a visual aid to use as part of a report or as a standalone presentation.

• Business

  • Efficient and Effective Reading Practices explains how to improve your reading speed and comprehension to keep up with assignments in business courses.
  • The Most Common Business Usage Errors is a quiz on how well you understand grammar to improve communication skills.
  • Writing in Business and Economics offers general tips on essay writing as well as specific information to address a business audience and communicate effectively.
  • The Ten Commandments of Business Writing highlights specific constructions that tend to work well when writing in business classes.
  • Business and Professional Writing has tons of information on all types of communications for business purposes and includes a quiz to test your skills.
  • Persuasive Business Writing describes how to walk the line between pure advertising and lack of enthusiasm with examples.
  • Business and Professional Writing guides students in the most accepted method of writing a business letter and gives examples of other formats used and their appropriate settings.
  • Writing the Resume looks at the design, inclusions and official format of resumes to give you the best bet of landing a job and includes examples.

• Chemistry

  • Chemistry Success Videos portray what is expected of chemistry students and how they can live up to these demands.
  • Study Techniques for Chemistry highlights problems students have in chemistry courses and gives tips for studying, followed by a sample problem.
  • How to Make the Grade in Chemistry consists of tips from students on how to excel in the many duties of a chemistry student
  • Study Tips for Chemistry Students suggests many ways to confront difficulties in the classroom, on tests, at home studying and in discussions with the professor.
  • ChemTutor explains why chemistry is often feared by students and offers some techniques to deal with the challenge.
  • How to Pass Chemistry includes basic tips for students to make the most of their courses through attendance, asking questions and integrating material.
  • 10 Ways to Make Chemistry HARD identifies how to miss information, fail tests and get the wrong answer in your class.
  • How to Study Chemistry provides ways to make your time spent in and out of class more effective.
  • Ten Ways to Pass Your Next Chemistry Exam offers practical advice to prepare for upcoming exams and how to use all the resources available.
  • Chemistry Study Hints tells what to do to prepare, absorb and review lecture notes and apply them to your at home learning.
  • Writing in Chemistry Courses guides students on the proper format and instructor expectations when writing a scientific paper for a chemistry class.
  • A Few General Characteristics of Good Writing in Chemistry gives practical tips for how to phrase your report for the greatest impact.
  • How to Keep a Notebook tells what should be included in your laboratory notebook, how to use it and what to avoid.
  • Lab Reports require a certain format and are scored based on their contents as well as their clarity. Every chemistry student should understand these expectations.
  • Density of an Unknown Liquid Sample is a reference for students to know how to document their lab findings and compile them in a comprehensive report.
  • Short Lab Reports notes the expectations of experiment summaries sometimes required in chemistry laboratories.

• Economics

  • Impossible or Imposing describes why economics courses are so difficult to new students and recommends coping strategies.
  • Survival Strategies for Economics consists of basic tips that emphasize the importance of studying before, during and after class.
  • Test Preparation and Performance emphasizes the role tests will have in your grade and the strategies for effective studying.
  • Business & Economics Writing Styles Guide includes basic writing tips as well as specific guidelines for executive summaries, charts and other economics data.
  • Writing Economics Research Papers reveals what professors are looking for in student essays and how to format yours for best reception.
  • Writing in Business sketches out the basic steps of planning and writing in a business class, much of the information is applicable to other disciplines.
  • Writing the (Economics) Research Paper offers some advice on how to quote, organize and choose typefaces for your paper to adhere to standard college guidelines.
  • Advice from Faculty on Writing in Economics consists of 4 common questions and some tips on what distinguishes great economics papers from the rest.

• English

  • Reading Literature Critically offers tons of advice to retain more information, apply that information to upcoming projects and increase reading speed.
  • Literary Terms come in handy for every English student that needs to describe complex writing and these are some helpful definitions.
  • How to Read a Poem gives ideas to deconstruct poetry and draw meaning from the text, structure and rhythm of the work.
  • Getting an A on an English Paper walks students through the process of writing a great essay from the thesis to the final draft.
  • Invention: Questions for Writing about Literature examines what to focus on while reading to devise smart topics for an essay.
  • Writing in the Disciplines: English provides a brief outline of of what is expected in an English research paper.
  • How to Use Literary Quotations suggests some clever ways to use quotations in your essays as well as the proper formatting.
  • Writing about Literature includes advice on how to create a focus for your essay and refine it for the best effect.
  • Explicating a Poem and Symbolism instructs what to look for in poetry as well as possible meanings of some common symbols.
  • How to Write a Summary shows how to take the most important details from a work to retain the meaning of the original while paraphrasing.

• Engineering

  • How to Study Math, Science and Engineering is a comprehensive resource on what is required in math-based courses and includes a mathematics skill test.
  • Engineering Student Survival Guide examines the reasons students perform poorly in engineering and recommends ways to avoid these pitfalls.
  • Tips on Test Taking advises study strategies and things to keep in mind while completing exams.
  • Succeeding in Engineering highlights four areas to improve your performance in the classroom and has tips for each.
  • Communicating as a Civil Engineer is more important than some might assume and these guidelines prepare you to write effective reports.
  • Teaching and Learning Resources has skill building advice for engineering group work, essays and presentations.
  • Advice from Engineers focuses on the type of writing required and how to present information logically and concisely while still engaging your audience.
  • Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students summarizes the requirements for the different types of writings assigned to those in science courses.
  • Civil Engineering Lab Reports suggests a format to follow as well as tips on including data sources and how to synthesize findings.
  • Engineering Technical Reports gives an example report and notes the differences between these and other written assignments for engineers.
  • Project Notebooks are important to record scientific findings in a laboratory and should follow these rules for clarity and ease of use.
  • Electrical Engineering Lab Reports notes the difficulty writing lab reports on electrical tests and has some guidelines to adhere to.

• Geology

  • Becoming an Informed Map Reader suggests things to look for when analyzing maps to use the data in an argument.
  • Geology Rocks is a book with many mnemonics, rhymes, abbreviations and other memory devices for scientific facts.
  • Reading Topographical Maps guides students in noting latitude, longitude, coordinates, keys and contour lines to construct a 3D view of a parcel of land.

• History

  • Reading, Writing and Researching for History explains how to construct arguments from historical facts and what a good paper should include.
  • How to Read a History Assignment goes beyond the text and impels students to ask questions before they start to get a better idea of what needs to be absorbed.
  • Taking Notes in Class suggests preparation, asking questions, careful listening, organization and attendance to ensure your notes will be helpful later on.
  • Cornell Notes displays this style of notetaking and how to organize it.
  • Studying History includes tips to make the most of your time studying, in class and working on projects.
  • Studying for the History Exam presents a plan for reviewing notes and books while reworking them to absorb the most information.
  • Taking the History Exam includes tips to complete tests accurately and quickly and highlights ways students often waste time.
  • Writing About History explains the difference between primary and secondary sources and how to include them in your papers.
  • The Importance of Writing in History shows why essays are such a big part of history courses and how to develop a worthwhile argument.
  • Finding Historical Primary Sources hints at some resources to check out for first hand accounts of events in history.
  • The Writing of a History Essay Examination explains the types of questions to expect on a history essay and the correct way to address them.
  • Writing in History Courses analyzes what kind of questions you will be asked and the style of writing best suited for the job.
  • Writing the Short Essay suggests ways for students to develop a strong argument while keeping their paper within the page limit.
  • Research Papers will comprise a good portion of your grade and learning how to write them well will save time and stress as a history major.
  • Writing Research Essays guides students through each part of the essay, coming up with ideas and refining their final drafts.
  • Reaction or Response Papers is one professor’s rubric for short reflection papers where students take a stand on some topic of their reading.
  • Book Reviews are a way to indirectly deride your peers by pointing out the flaws in their work and should be in every historian’s repertoire.

• Law

  • What’s It All About? informs students on what to expect from their first year in law school and how to cope with the added stress.
  • Assessing Your Resources prescribes a plan to balance individual needs while in school so that students perform their best.
  • Why Studying in Law School is Different warns against bad habits students need to break if they are to succeed in law school.
  • 10 Reasons Some Law Students Fail to Achieve their Personal Best highlights behaviors that often lead to poor grades in law school.
  • Time Management suggests a couple practices to plan ahead for your workload and make sure you dedicate enough time each week.
  • Outlining is one area where students run into problems either by spending too much or little time reviewing and organizing their notes.
  • Preparing for Law Courses offers advice to ensure that you know the material so you can answer questions from the professor.
  • Study Aids recommends material to supplement your learning by explaining cases in more detail and having more analysis.
  • 10 Ways to Avoid Depression in Law School tells students how to maintain their social life and sanity while saddled with a seemingly endless amount of work.
  • Study Groups can be a great way to test your knowledge and that of your classmates while helping each other learn.
  • Brute Force Memorization may not be the most effective strategy but in law school you have to budget your time effectively, learn to do it right.
  • These Exam Strategies cover what to do before, during and after the test to prepare adequately and learn from mistakes.
  • The Socratic Method is common in law classes and you should be prepared to answer the professor’s questions in a coherent fashion.
  • The Case Method instructs students to write summaries of the cases they read to become familiar with the law and many times these cases will appear on exams.
  • Bouncing Back from Bad Grades is a challenge many law students will face and these suggestions are meant to help students put the past behind them.
  • All law school students are expected to Review Exams they have completed to learn from their mistakes and these tips show you how.
  • Tips on Editing for Legal Writing gives examples of bad and good writing in law classes and tells students what to avoid.
  • Study for CBE Law Subjects and Exams advises students on the types of problems included and how to address each.

• Math

  • How to Read a Math Textbook gives eight steps to follow when reading a math textbook to make sure you know the concepts.
  • Math and Science Test Taking Tips is a collection of exercises and strategies to use before and during the test to improve your success rate.
  • Problem Guided Reading is a method where questions become the basis for reading material so that you know what to look for before you begin.
  • Reading a Math Textbook points out the common mistakes students make when reading and what to pay special attention to.
  • Suggestions for Improving Math Study Skills offers a few ideas to improve your performance in math classes.
  • Ten Ways to Survive the Math Blues suggests ways to break up the tedium and make their math experience more exciting.
  • THEA and ACCUPLACER Test Information reveals what to expect on these standardized tests, has practice versions and lays out a study plan.
  • Math Study Skills is a collection of articles with study advice, tools, tips to reduce stress and strategies for the test.
  • Guidelines for Study provides 5 skills to master for success in math courses.
  • Top Ten Excuses for Not Doing the Math Homework breaks up the monotony with a bit of math humor with riddles, excuses and more.
  • Math Study Skills explains the differences between math courses and other types of college classes and how to adjust.
  • Success in Mathematics guides students in effective techniques to learn formulas and ultimately do well in the course.
  • Twelve Math Myths lists a few common false beliefs about math and identifies where they are wrong.
  • Math Myths points out why many of the stereotypes we have about those who are good about math are actually wrong.

• Philosophy

  • Guidelines on Reading Philosophy shows what to look for in philosophical arguments to understand what is really at stake.
  • A Philosophical Glossary for Beginners has commonly used words and Latin phrases philosophers use to describe their work.
  • Writing in Philosophy Courses tells what kind of papers to expect, how to frame your opinion and what evidence works well.
  • Writing the Philosophy Paper offers tips to improve your writing and develop a strong argument through your sources.
  • Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper advises ways to structure your argument for the best effect and has suggestions for each step of the process.
  • Writing Philosophy Papers: A Student Guide leads students through the process step by step from forming the idea to finalizing the draft.