A credit report is different from a credit score, it is the underlying data the score is calculated from, and reviewing it regularly can help you catch errors before they cause damage.
Focus on four main sections: personal information for accuracy, account history showing your open and closed accounts, payment history showing any late marks, and credit inquiries showing who has recently checked your credit.
Errors on credit reports are more common than most people expect, a wrong balance, an account that is not yours, or an outdated late payment. You are generally entitled to a free copy of your report from each major bureau once a year, and disputing confirmed errors can sometimes improve your score directly. This article is general education, not personalized advice.