In response to these findings we are designing courses to assist students in overcoming their generic skill deficiencies. The first of these courses focuses on sociology.
![Skills for Success in University](http://ampd.apps01.yorku.ca/dev-ampd/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sfsin-yorku-Logo.png)
Studies conducted at the University of Waterloo, Western University, the University of Toronto, and York University showed that only 44% of students had the generic skills, like literacy, elementary numeracy, and analysis, usually associated with academic and job success and democratic citizenship. In contrast to these ‘functional’ students, another 41% were ‘at-risk.’ While this group had some essential skills, they lacked others. The remaining 16% were ‘dysfunctional,’ and possessed few basic skills. The effects of these deficiencies were evident in students’ grades, student retention, and in university satisfaction.