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On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College, Career, and Life, 10th Edition

Skip Downing, Jonathan Brennan

Copyright 2026
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On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College, Career, and Life 10th Edition by Skip Downing/Jonathan Brennan

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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
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Overview

Downing/Brennan's ON COURSE: STRATEGIES FOR CREATING SUCCESS IN COLLEGE, CAREER, AND LIFE, 10th Edition, teaches skills for academic and career success. AI Learning Skills, Equity Revisions and Updated Career Competencies are introduced. Articles, case studies, stories and guided journal entries help develop responsibility and emotional intelligence, showing improvement in retention and graduation rates. The CORE Learning Process and Toolbox for Active Learners provide evidence-based study skills. The Healthy Choices series offers guidance on physical health and brain function. Features like “What’s Your Story?” emphasize inclusivity, virtual learning and reflection. MindTap for College Success features the College Success Factor Index (CSFI), personalizing learning with analytics, assessments, activities, journaling and evaluates 10 key areas affecting success to help students succeed.

Meet the Authors

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Skip Downing

Skip Downing is an international consultant in the field of faculty development and student success strategies. Dr. Downing has earned degrees from Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Santa Monica, and Carnegie Mellon University. He holds advanced degrees in English and counseling psychology. He was professor of English at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) for 32 years. In addition to his role as an academic instructor, Dr. Downing created and coordinated BCCC's Student Success and Learning Community Programs. These programs teach students how to apply proven success strategies to achieve their full potential in college and in life. The College Success Program resulted in a significant increase in both student academic success and retention. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at national conferences and conducted faculty development workshops at many two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands. Dr. Downing's teaching, writing, and consulting are all guided by his belief that the greatest mission of any educational institution is to empower its students to live rich, fulfilling lives. Since 1996, he has facilitated the On Course Workshops, intensive four-day retreats for college educators focusing on proven strategies for helping students become active, responsible partners in their education and achieve greater success in college and in life.

Jonathan Brennan

Dr. Brennan has a PhD in Comparative Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley, an EdD in Educational Leadership and Change (Fielding Graduate University), an MA in English (UC Berkeley) and an MS in Cognitive Psychology (USM). In the last two decades, he has focused his research on higher education leadership, best practices in non-cognitive learner competencies and the intersection between race, culture, equity, and access to education. Dr. Brennan is a faculty member (and former chair) of the English Department at Mission College in Santa Clara, California. He designed and coordinated an On Course Program at Mission College that significantly improved the retention and academic success rate of students in developmental English, Mathematics, Reading, and ESL. He was voted Faculty of the Year at Mission College in 1999-2000 and was awarded a NISOD Teaching Excellence Award. In April, 2005, he was awarded the Stanback-Stroud Diversity award from the California State Academic Senate, and in 2008 was awarded the California State Hayward Award for Excellence in Education. Since 2006, he has served as Chair of the On Course National Conference and is currently Editor of the On Course student success newsletter which has nearly 200,000 subscribers worldwide. He has facilitated workshops on improving student learning for over 6,000 faculty from colleges and universities across North America. Dr. Brennan’s teaching, writing, and consulting are guided by his belief that all students deserve an opportunity to find their passion for lifelong learning, and accomplish their academic, career, and life goals.

What's New

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Learning with Artificial Intelligence features guide students on effectively using ChatGPT and other AI tools to enhance their learning and academic skills.
Updated and Expanded Career Competencies features help students strengthen essential workplace soft skills and prepare for the evolving job market while still in college.
A sharpened Inclusivity focus ensures the 10th edition aligns with APA inclusive language standards, representing diverse student perspectives to better reflect today’s world.
Virtual Learning examples help students tailor their strategies for hybrid, distance, synchronous and asynchronous learning, enhancing their engagement and effectiveness.
Mental Health features empower students to effectively manage challenges such as social anxiety and test anxiety, enhancing their well-being and academic performance.

Features

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Guided Journal Entries provide students with opportunities to apply success strategies, fostering self-reflection and enhancing both academic and personal growth.
Real-life student stories inspire resilience, reflection and connection, showing students that they can overcome challenges and succeed.
Self-Assessments help students identify and develop essential soft skills, fostering personal growth and improved academic outcomes.

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Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Travel with Me.
1. GETTING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS.
College Smart-Start Guide. What to Do Before the End of Your First Week in College. Get Familiar. Get Organized. Get Serious. Understanding the Culture of Higher Education. The Surface Culture of Higher Education. One Dozen College Customs. Write a Great Life. Journal Entry 1.1: Comparing Surface Cultures of High School and Higher Education. One Student's Story: Kineesha George. Understanding the Expectations of College and University Educators. Eight Key Expectations. Important Differences Between High School and College Culture. Journal Entry 1.2: Exploring the Eight Key Expectations. Understanding Yourself. What Does Success Mean to You? Ingredients of Success. The Role of Soft Skills. Assess Your Soft Skills for College Success. Choices of Successful Students. Forks in the Road. A Few Words of Encouragement. Journal Entry 1.3: Self-Assessment. One Student’s Story: Jalayna Onaga. Soft Skills at Work. Money Matters. Managing Money: The Big Picture. Get Organized. Increase Money Flowing In. Decrease Money Flowing Out. Learning with Artificial Intelligence. One Student’s Story: Emily Christman.
2. ACCEPTING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: The Late Paper. Adopting a Proactive Mindset. Reactive and Proactive Mindsets. Responsibility and Culture. Responsibility and Choice. Journal Entry 2.1: Accepting Personal Responsibility. One Student's Story: Taryn Rossmiller. Strengthening Proactive Language. Self-Talk. The Language of Responsibility. Journal Entry 2.2: Translating Reactive into Proactive Language. One Student's Story: Alexsandr Kanevskiy. Making Wise Decisions. The Wise Choice Process. Journal Entry 2.3: Using the Wise Choice Process. One Student's Story: Konnie Kellogg. Personal Responsibility at Work. Personal and Social Responsibility. Commitment. Learning Responsibility. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: Responsible Usage. Believing in Yourself: Change Your Inner Conversation. The Curse of Stinkin'' Thinkin''. Disputing Irrational Beliefs. Stereotype Threat. Journal Entry 2.4: Dispute the Inner Critic. One Student's Story: Dominic Grasseth. Healthy Choices: Introduction and Alcohol Use. One Student's Story: Brandeé Huigens.
3. DISCOVERING SELF-MOTIVATION.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: Popson's Dilemma. Creating Inner Motivation. A Formula for Motivation. Value of College Outcomes. Value of College Experiences. Journal Entry 3.1: Desired Outcomes and Experiences. One Student's Story: Chee Meng Vang. Designing a Compelling Life Plan. Roles and Goals. How to Set a Goal/DAPPS Rule. Discover Your Dreams. Your Life Plan. Journal Entry 3.2: Creating a Life Plan. One Student's Story: Brandon 8 Beavers. Committing to Your Goals and Dreams. Commitment Creates Method. Visualize Your Ideal Future. How to Visualize. Get More Hopeful. Journal Entry 3.3: Visualization of Accomplished Goal. One Student’s Story: James Terrell. Self-Motivation at Work. Choosing a Career. Engagement and Intrinsic Motivation. Belonging. Purpose. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: Prompt Engineering. Believing in Yourself: Write a Personal Affirmation. Claiming Your Desired Personal Qualities. Living Your Affirmation. Journal Entry 3.4: Personal Affirmation. One Student's Story: Tina Steen. Healthy Choices: Drugs.
4. MASTERING SELF-MANAGEMENT.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: The Procrastinators. Acting on Purpose. Harness the Power of Quadrant II. What to Do in Quadrants I and II. Journal Entry 4.1: Categorizing your Choices. One Student's Story: Jason Pozsgay. Creating a Leak-Proof Self-Management System. Time and Culture. Weekly Calendar. Monthly Calendar. Next Actions List. Tracking Form. Waiting-For List. Project Folder. The Rewards of Effective Self-Management. Journal Entry 4.2: Your Self- Management System. One Student's Story: Allysa LePage. Developing Grit. Passion. Perseverance. Journal Entry 4.3: Make a 32-Day Commitment. One Student's Story: Holt Boggs. Self-Management at Work. Work/Life/School Balance. Multitasking, Technology and Work. Focus. Habits and Rules. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: Staying Organized. Believing in Yourself: Develop Self-Confidence. Create a Success Identity. Celebrate Your Successes and Talents. Visualize Purposeful Actions. Journal Entry 4.4: Increase Self-Confidence. One Student's Story: Ashley Freeman. Healthy Choices: Smoking.
5. EMPLOYING INTERDEPENDENCE.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: Professor Rogers's Trial. Creating a Support System. A Sign of Maturity. Seek Help from Your Instructors. Get Help from College Resources. Create a Project Team. Start a Study Group. The Difference between Misery and Joy. Journal Entry 5.1: Giving and Receiving Help. One Student's Story: Mitch Mull. Strengthening Relationships with Active Listening. How to Listen Actively. Use Active Listening in Your College Classes. Journal Entry 5.2: Active Listening Practice. One Student's Story: Teroa Paselio. Respecting Cultural Differences. Showing Respect. Journal Entry 5.3: Reframing Disrespect. Interdependence at Work. Career Search Resources. Mentors. Networking. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: AI ChatBot Learning Coaches & Companions. Believing in Yourself. Be Assertive. Leveling. Making Requests. Saying "No." Journal Entry 5.4: Placating, Blaming, Leveling. One Student's Story: Amy Acton. Healthy Choices: Food.
6. GAINING SELF-AWARENESS.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: Undermining Choices. Recognizing when You Are Off Course. The Mystery of Self-Sabotage. Unconscious Forces. Journal Entry 6.1: Course Corrections. One Student's Story: Sarah Richmond. Identifying Your Scripts. Anatomy of a Script. How We Wrote Our Scripts. Self-Defeating Habit Patterns. Journal Entry 6.2: Discovering Self-Defeating Patterns. One Student's Story: James Floriolli. Rewriting Your Outdated Scripts. The Impact of Outdated Beliefs. Doing the Rewrite. Journal Entry 6.3: Revising Self-Defeating Patterns. One Student's Story: Annette Valle. Self-Awareness at Work. Personal Branding. Interview Skills. Using Feedback for Growth. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: AI Bias. Believing in Yourself. Write Your Own Rules. Three Success Rules. Changing Your Habits. Journal Entry 6.4: Personal Rules for Life. One Student's Story: Freddie Davila. Healthy Choices: Nonalcoholic Drinks.
7. ADOPTING LIFELONG LEARNING.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: A Fish Story. Developing a Growth Mindset. Fixed and Growth Mindsets. How to Develop a Growth Mindset. Journal Entry 7.1: Fixed to Growth Mindset. One Student's Story: Jessie Maggard. Discovering Your Preferred Ways of Learning. Self-Assessment: How I Prefer to Learn. Journal Entry 7.2: Leveraging Preferred Ways of Learning. One Student's Story: Melissa Thompson. Employing Critical Thinking and Information Competency. Constructing Logical Arguments. Asking Probing Questions. How Information Competency Supports Critical Thinking. Identifying False Information. Avoiding Scams. Improving Information Competency. Journal Entry 7.3: Logical Arguments. Lifelong Learning at Work. Choosing a Major. Resume Preparation. Cover Letter. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: AI Hallucination. Why do AI Models Hallucinate? How do you Manage AI Hallucination? Believing in Yourself Develop Self-Respect. Live with Integrity (Such as No Cheating or Plagiarizing). Keep Commitments. Journal Entry 7.4: Strengthening Self-Respect. One Student's Story: Dalene Meek. Healthy Choices: Physical Activity. One Student's Story: Crystal Kim.
8. DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.
Case Study in Critical Thinking: After Math. Understanding Emotional Intelligence. Four Components of Emotional Intelligence. Knowing Your Own Emotions. Journal Entry 8.1: Increasing Emotional Awareness. One Student's Story: Lindsey Beck. Reducing Stress. What Is Stress? What Happens when Stress Persists? Unhealthy Stress Reduction. Healthy Stress Reduction. Choose Your Attitude. Journal Entry 8.2: Positive Methods for Reducing Stress. One Student's Story: Jaime Sanmiguel. Increasing Happiness. Limits on Happiness. Savoring Pleasures. Gratitude. Engagement. Contribution. Strawberry Moments. Journal Entry 8.3: Improving Positive Feelings. One Student's Story: Faith Hannah Lee. Emotional Intelligence at Work. EQ During Job Interviews. EQ on the Job. Believing in Yourself. Develop Self- Acceptance. Self-Esteem and Core Beliefs. Know and Accept Yourself. Journal Entry 8.4: Present State of Self-Esteem. One Student's Story: Wynda Allison Paulette. Learning with Artificial Intelligence: Emotional AI. Ethical AI Usage. Emotional AI and Bias. Using AI to Strengthen Emotional Intelligence. Healthy Choices: Sleep.
9. STAYING ON COURSE TO YOUR SUCCESS.
Planning Your Next Steps. Assess Yourself, Again. Journal Entry 9.1: Comparing Your Scores. One Student's Story: Stephan J. Montgomery.
Bibliography.
Index.