The skills and approaches to study were investigated for 549 students from Hong Kong/Macau enrolled in undergraduate distance learning courses with the East Asian Open Institute. The sample included students at all stages in their studies, from those in their first year to graduates with an ordinary degree and honors graduates. Correlations between the study skills and study approaches, as measured by Biggs' Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ), and three measures of success--persistence, number of credits gained, and grades achieved--were investigated. The SPQ identified three dimensions for students' motives for study and for their study strategies: surface, deep, and achieving. Students rated their study skills on a five-point scale. The study skills, upon which students rated themselves highest, were understanding concepts and theories, tackling assignments, and reading effectively. Those upon which students rated themselves lowest were learning from audio- and videotapes. Students who had persisted in the system longer rated themselves more highly on some study skills. Students who had gained more credits rated themselves more highly on most study skills. The conclusion was that deep motivation was a key to success, but to succeed in gaining credits and good grades, deep strategy, achieving motive, and achieving strategy were also needed. (Contains 15 references.) (YLB)