How to Succeed in College
Strategies for Students who Want to Graduate From College
Nov 17, 2009 Carol Rzadkiewicz
Although there are exceptions, most students begin college with every intention of graduating; however, according to a report issued by The Education Trust, a Washington-based nonprofit group, the reality is that only 63 percent of students who enter a four-year university will earn a degree, and it will take them an average of six years to do so. The other 37 percent will either drop out of school before finishing or else flunk out of their programs of study according to USA Today.com.
The Key to Succeeding in College
So what about the 37 percent of students who actually make it through college and graduate? What do they possess that other students lack? For one, they possess the following traits and skills:
- Determination
- Time management skills
- Ability to follow directions
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Communication skills
- Reading and study skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Technology skills
- Research skills
- Ability to follow APA or MLA guidelines
- Money management skills
Determination is Crucial to Success in College
Commitment is the primary characteristic of students who graduate from college, for if students are truly determined to succeed, they will not only acquire the necessary skills but also overcome all obstacles that arise, human or otherwise, that could possibly prevent their success.
Importance of Time Management
There are only so many hours in each day, and many students work full time and/or have families, so they must set priorities and allocate sufficient time to devote to schoolwork, which means they might not have much free time while in college but this lack will greatly increase their likelihood of success.
Importance of Following Directions
Students must follow directions for assignments and do exactly what they are being asked to do, not something else, which means they must speak up and ask for clarification if directions are unclear.
Importance of Meeting Deadlines
Students must submit assignments by their due dates because although some instructors accept late assignments, others don’t, and even those who do invariably apply a penalty if an assignment is overdue.
Importance of Communication Skills
Students must be able to express themselves, in writing and orally, because they have to write countless papers and essays, as well as conduct occasional oral presentations. As a result, students should purchase a good grammar text and use it, as well as avail themselves of college programs, for example, tutorials and writing labs.
Importance of Reading and Study Skills
Students must be able to comprehend what they read because if they cannot comprehend the information, chances or slim to none they will succeed in their studies. Moreover, students need to know how to study for quizzes and exams. As a result, if they have difficulty comprehending what they read or studying effectively, students must work to improve reading comprehension and study skills.
Importance of Critical Thinking Skills
Everyone thinks, but not everyone is a critical thinker. However, in order to succeed in college, students must learn to think critically, which involves taking time to examine issues and arguments, ask questions, validate evidence, and think outside the proverbial box.
Importance of Technology Skills
Students should know how to use programs like PowerPoint and Word, as well as how to navigate the World Wide Web, because they will be writing papers, preparing presentations, and conducting research. And if students lack these skills, they can acquire them by availing themselves of tutorials that are available via free interactive sites on the World Wide Web. Moreover, many universities offer workshops.
Importance of Listening Skills
Most people are poor listeners. Anyone, however, can become a better listener by making an effort; and students must make the effort because if they don’t, they might not hear and retain information from lectures and, as a result, will fare poorly on quizzes and tests. Moreover, they might also miss important directions for class assignments.
Importance of Research Skills
Students must conduct research for papers and presentations, so they should learn to distinguish between credible sources and those they are questionable or dubious. Moreover, they must learn how to avoid committing plagiarism, however unintentionally, and to cite sources correctly.
Importance of Learning to Format Papers
Students should learn to format papers correctly, and since there are so many helpful tools available, for example, websites that provide step-by-step instructions, there is really no excuse for anyone’s not learning this skill.
Importance of Money Management
Money management is an important skill to acquire because if students are worried about finances, that worry will interfere with their ability to concentrate upon schoolwork, and if students cannot concentrate upon schoolwork, then they are far more likely to fail or dropout before graduation.
In summary, although all of the skills discussed above are important, the most important is “determination,” because if students are committed enough to their own success, they will make the necessary effort to acquire the other skills, and, ultimately, they will succeed in college.
References:
Associated Press, USA Today, "Report: Many Get to College but Leave," 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from usatoday.com.
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