Actions and Attitudes Of Successful Students

Actions

• Arrives early for class and is ready to work at the scheduled starting time
• Reads the material that will be covered before it is covered in lecture.
• Takes notes, using the PowerPoint lectures or using a format that works for them.
• Reads the material that was covered after it is covered in lecture and updates their notes to synthesize the two learning methods.
• Studies with others, either in person or online, so that they get different ideas on what material is important and/or get troublesome areas explained by others.
• Look up on the Internet, in the library, or via office hours, material that isn’t clear.
• Finds out where they went wrong on quizzes and re-studies until they understand that material.

Attitudes

• Values punctuality in themselves and others.
• While their life may be busy, they are never overwhelmed with it because of good priorities and time management practices.
• Have clear goals for their life, short term, mid term, and long term.
• Have clear priorities that keep those goals alive each and every day.
• Are willing to sacrifice their current standard of living if necessary to support the completion of their long-term goals.
• Understand the value of education as being fundamental to financial and social success in an increasingly competitive society.
• Asks for and insists on getting help when they think they need it.
• Stays physically and mentally healthy.
• Takes personal responsibility for their choices in life and never offer excuses for choices that end up with negative consequences. They learn from those negative events and strive to never repeat them.

Where are you in each of these? Ask yourself, a friend, and a parent or former teacher to rate you on these items. What can you change in yourself to increase your chances for success?