This study examined study skills and academic performance of students in public senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The study adopted correlational research design. Three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses guided the study. The population comprised all senior secondary school students in Rivers State. The population was 35,805 senior secondary school students. The sample comprised 400 students selected through Taro Yamane and stratified random sampling technique. The researcher developed a self-structured questionnaire titled “Study Skills and Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire” (SSSAPQ). The instrument was divided into two parts, A and B. Part A is made up of demographic variables such as gender, and age. Part B is divided into two (2) areas: “Study Skills Questionnaire” (SHQ), and “Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire” (SAPQ). The SSSAPQ was validated and the reliability was determined using test re-test method. 30 students who were not part of the sample were given the SSSAPQ. The scores were correlated to obtain the reliability indices were as follows; SSQ (r=0.83) and SAPQ (r=80). Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to answer and test all the hypotheses.  The study revealed that private time management, note taking, and reading skills had very strong positive relationship with academic performance among public senior secondary school students in Port Harcourt Metropolis if Rivers State. Based on the study recommended that students should develop good personal time management, note taking and good reading skills to achieve higher academic performance. School principals school help students by reducing stress level of students.

Keywords: academic performance, note taking, private time management, reading skills, study  skills.