Effect of a study skills course on student self-assessment of learning skills and strategies

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to determine whether a study skills course taken by first professional year pharmacy students improved their self-assessment of study skills and strategies. MethodsThis study analyzed student responses to the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), an online assessment with questions in 10 subject areas: anxiety, motivation, concentration, test strategies, study aids, selecting main ideas, attitude, self-testing, information processing, and time management. Students in an elective study skills course in 2012–2017 completed the self-assessment prior to and at the end of the course. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare class score pre- and post-course. ResultsOver a five-year period, 312 students completed both the pre- and post-course LASSI assessment. Average percentile scores increased significantly from the beginning to the end of the course in all 10 areas. Notably, average pre-course scores in seven subject areas (attention, concentration, self-testing, selecting main ideas, study aids, time management, and test strategies) were all below the 50th percentile, indicating a need for improvement in those skills to see increased academic success. Average post-course scores in each area increased to between the 50th and 75th percentile. ConclusionsThis evaluation shows that a study skills course improves students' self-assessment of skills and attitudes associated with success in post-secondary education. Future studies will look at the effect of such a course on academic outcomes.