Complete Bibliography & Further Reading
The science behind the 8 Choices of Successful Students
UBASuccessfulStudent2 is built on decades of rigorous research in educational psychology, self-regulated learning, and student success. This page provides a comprehensive bibliography of the academic works, books, and research papers that inform the product's 8 success choices and 27 modules. Each source is available through Amazon with direct purchase links, enabling you to explore the scientific foundations in greater depth.
The foundational research upon which UBASuccessfulStudent2's 8 success choices are built:
2017 (8th Edition) • Cengage Learning
The definitive textbook that forms the foundation of UBASuccessfulStudent2. Skip Downing, who taught college success courses for over 30 years, synthesizes research from psychology, education, and personal development into 8 actionable choices that distinguish successful students from struggling ones. Now used at over 1,000 colleges and universities worldwide, "On Course" has helped millions of students transform their academic and personal lives.
Essential texts from leaders in educational psychology and student development:
2006 • Ballantine Books
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck's groundbreaking research on fixed vs. growth mindsets. Students with a growth mindset—who believe abilities can be developed through effort—dramatically outperform those with fixed mindsets. Essential reading for understanding Choice 6: Becoming a Lifelong Learner.
1995 • Bantam Books
The landmark work that introduced emotional intelligence to mainstream awareness. Goleman demonstrates that EQ—the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—is often more predictive of academic and life success than traditional IQ. Foundational for Choice 7: Developing Emotional Intelligence.
2016 • Scribner
MacArthur "genius" grant winner Angela Duckworth reveals that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but grit—a special blend of passion and persistence. Her research shows that grit predicts success across diverse domains, from West Point to the National Spelling Bee. Directly supports Choice 5: Gaining Self-Awareness and perseverance.
1989 • Free Press
The classic that has sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Covey's principle-centered approach to personal effectiveness has influenced student success programs globally. Habits like "Be Proactive" and "Begin with the End in Mind" align directly with Choice 1: Accepting Personal Responsibility and Choice 2: Discovering a Motivating Purpose.
Research-based books that translate science into practical strategies for students:
2014 • Belknap Press
Drawing on cognitive psychology and educational research, this book reveals that many common study habits are counterproductive. The authors present evidence-based strategies like retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and interleaving that actually work—essential for Choice 3: Taking Effective Action.
2006 • Three Rivers Press
Based on interviews with straight-A students at top universities, Newport reveals their unconventional strategies for academic excellence. Surprisingly, these high achievers work smarter, not longer—offering practical techniques for efficient studying that support Choice 3: Taking Effective Action.
2011 • Atria Books
The founder of positive psychology introduces PERMA: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. This comprehensive wellbeing framework supports student success by addressing the emotional and relational dimensions often neglected in academic settings—key for Choices 4, 7, and 8.
2018 • Avery
Clear presents a practical framework for habit formation based on cognitive and behavioral science. His system of small, incremental improvements helps students build the disciplined routines essential for academic success—directly supporting Choice 3: Taking Effective Action and overcoming procrastination.
2009 • Riverhead Books
Pink synthesizes decades of research on motivation, revealing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are far more powerful motivators than external rewards. This understanding transforms how students approach their education—essential for Choice 2: Discovering a Motivating Purpose.
Peer-reviewed research underlying UBASuccessfulStudent2's evidence-based approach:
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Foundational paper on Self-Determination Theory establishing that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are basic psychological needs. When educational environments support these needs, students show greater intrinsic motivation, better performance, and enhanced well-being—the theoretical basis for multiple success choices.
Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). International Journal of Educational Research, 37(3-4), 249-263.
Comprehensive overview of self-regulated learning research showing that successful students actively manage their cognition, motivation, and behavior. Self-regulation skills can be taught and developed—directly supporting Choice 3: Taking Effective Action.
Blackwell, L. S., Trzesniewski, K. H., & Dweck, C. S. (2007). Child Development, 78(1), 246-263.
Landmark study demonstrating that students who believe intelligence is malleable (growth mindset) show increasing academic achievement over time, while those with fixed mindsets show flat or declining performance—research behind Choice 8: Believing in Yourself.
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087-1101.
The original grit research demonstrating that perseverance and passion for long-term goals predict success in challenging domains including education. Grit accounted for variance in success beyond IQ and conscientiousness—foundational for Choice 5: Gaining Self-Awareness.
Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). Psychological Review, 100(3), 363-406.
Classic research on expert performance showing that exceptional achievement requires not just practice, but deliberate practice—focused effort on areas of weakness with immediate feedback. This principle transforms how students approach skill development in Choice 3: Taking Effective Action.
Dweck, C. S., Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2014). Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Report.
Comprehensive review identifying the psychological factors that enable students to persist through challenges: growth mindset, sense of belonging, self-regulation, and seeing the relevance of schoolwork—synthesizing research across all 8 success choices.
Google Scholar is a free academic search engine that indexes peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, and conference proceedings from universities and research institutions worldwide.
Unlike regular Google, Scholar focuses exclusively on academic and scholarly sources—the original research that books like those above are based on.
Use Google Scholar when you want to:
Note: Some papers require institutional access or purchase, but many are freely available as PDFs.
Apply the 8 evidence-based success choices daily with UBASuccessfulStudent2's 27 modules and 2,700+ curated quotes.