The concise length, tight focus, and emphasis on self-development are keys to this text's appeal. Written in a positive, motivational style,On Course empowers students with tools they need to take charge of their success in college and life. Downing's distinctive guided journal entries help students develop essential life skills by encouraging exploration of personal responsibility, self-motivation, interdependence, and self-esteem. Extensive coverage of study skills—reading, note taking, memorizing, and test taking—provided in the "Wise Choices in College" sections help students excel in all of their college courses.

• New! "One Student's Story" student essays provide insight on which On Course strategies worked for them and how they applied these strategies to their life.
• The "Choices of Successful Students" chart on the inside front cover shows eight key choices that successful students make in determining their own success. These choices are revisited at the beginning of each chapter.
• An end-of-chapter study skills feature, "Wise Choices in College," covers reading, note taking, studying, memorizing, test taking, writing, and researching. This feature is highlighted in the Table of Contents.
• New! An end-of-chapter applications exercise, "Embracing Change: Do one thing different this week," appears after "Wise Choices in College." This exercise lists beliefs and behaviors related to the chapter topic, and asks students to select one they would like to experiment with for one week. After the week, students can assess their results to determine if their outcomes and experiences improve.
• "On Course Principles at Work" show how important the On Course success strategies are for choosing the right career, getting hired, and succeeding in the work world.
• "Case Study in Critical Thinking," now moved to the beginning of every chapter, includes topics such as procrastination and collaborative work and encourage students to think critically and creatively.
• New! Eduspace course provides students with a place to interact with the textbook by completing journal entries and technology exercises, and participating in discussion groups. Video Skillbuilders for Student Success provide supplemental materials to expand lessons in time management, note-taking, reducing test anxiety, health and wellness, and decision-making.