Effective Strategies for a Student Success - Essay Example

?Effective Strategies for Success as a Introduction It is very crucial for to invest some time in thinking out and implementing effective strategies, which will help them throughout their educational career. Without such strategies, it is hard to tell whether the student will be able to manage his time and energies in the most effective manner. A student without proper learning plans is at the risk of losing his grades, and showing poor performance in studies and co-curricular activities. On the other hand, a student who has well-managed plans regarding his time and energy, enjoys full benefits when it comes to his studies. This paper tends to discuss some very important steps and strategies that will help every student to show success by leaps and bounds. All that is needed is the determination and strong-mindedness to follow these steps. Determination and Commitment The first and foremost thing that a student needs is determination to succeed, and commitment with his work. If he has made up his mind to achieve his goals and milestones, and that he will do anything to reach his destination, then there is no power that can stop him from getting what he wants. This commitment will motivate him, and will boost his energies in the positive direction, so much so that he will start finding himself not too far away from his educational objectives. Time Management The next important strategy for a student is to manage his time properly, so that he can balance his work and extra-curricular activities in the most effectual manner. Students must set priorities in their lives, and must be determined enough to give their schoolwork the top priority. Time management will help them meet deadlines that their instructors have set for them regarding their assignments. Students must finish their assignments well in time, because this will make their image better in the eyes of their professors, which is a good thing toward their success. Students must also set regular routines for their sleeping and waking patterns, and must be able to follow their time tables. Again, all this comes with determination and commitment with work. Time management is the key to success in academic life (Hirsch, 2001, p.99). Improving Interpersonal Skills One important strategy is to be at good terms not only with the peers, but also with the instructors. Good communication is the key to success. A student must be able to share his ideas and problems with his class fellows and with the teachers, without hesitation. This way, he will be able to do his work more effectively. This will also help him gain knowledge through exchange of thoughts. Good communication skills also help the student when he has to express his ideas, both verbally and in writing. A tip is that students may join communication improvement classes, which are held at some training institutes. This will help them not only in their educational phase, but also later in their professional careers. Developing Reading Habit It is a tragedy that today’s students have left the habit of reading books. Libraries are empty, because students find it easier to consult computers and the internet for every type of knowledge. A book is a man’s best friend, because it makes him learn such things that he cannot grasp from the internet. It is very important for a student to develop reading habit, because it is the most effective way of improving vocabulary and diction. Reading will help them become “strong, life-long readers” (Collins, 2004, p.50). Developing Critical Thinking Skills It is important for the students to develop strong critical thinking skills. Only memorizing the concepts, words for word, does not guarantee success. The key to success is to think about issues critically; that is, to critically examine the evidence, facts, statistics, and to develop reasoning for arguments. Students must know how to develop arguments, and how to defend their position with sound proofs. They must be able to make judgments, and argue about what they feel objectionable. Importance of Technology One crucial demand of today’s world is that students must get acquainted with the most modern technological tools to assist themselves in their education. They must know how to use e-mails, chat servers, World Wide Web, and other things related to the internet. This is because they need to prepare sophisticated presentations, well-researched journals, and articles, for which they must know how to use different softwares like Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel. If they are not computer-literate, this will act as a huge drawback, which they must remove through joining computer classes that are offered as various training institutes. Most educational institutes have started incorporating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tools in the classrooms to facilitate the learning process of students. So, students must know how to integrate technology in their academics, to guarantee success. Avoiding Plagiarism Developing research skills is very important for students, so as to equip themselves with latest, up-to-date knowledge. But, while writing their own research papers, they must make sure that they are not producing a work that has already been done by some other researcher in the past. If they have to use some other author’s work, they must use his reference and proper citation within their own work. Students must present their original work, which can only be done if they have good critical and research skills. Managing Stress One important strategy is to develop good stress coping skills. Lectures, assignments, lab sessions, and exams, all play their part in adding stress if the student does not know how to cope with them. A student must know what he should do and what he should not do, in order to reduce stress. If he works according to his time table, has set his priorities, and knows how much time is to be given to each activity, he may be able to come out of school stress very soon. Learning from Mistakes Despite following all the good tips and tricks for success, it is very natural for a student to meet failures. A good student is one who learns from his mistakes, and tries to eliminate them in future. A student must be able to accept failures, and wish others on their success. This is not only a valued moral standard that will groom his personality to make him a better person, but also will help him stay relaxed in order to lay out better plans in future. Looking after Physical Health It is also important for a student to look after his physical health, in order to maintain a fresh mind with a fresh body. Sleeplessness, poor diet, drinking strong coffees till late nights to keep studying, drinking alcohol to reduce stress, and not eating well, are habits that do not point toward success. A good student must eat and sleep well. His diet should be healthy, and he must exercise in order to remain in good shape. This will give him more energy, with which he will be able to study well. Conclusion To conclude, it is important for students to work according to well laid out plans and strategies while dealing with their academic lives. Without proper management, they will stay confused and unaware of how to best utilize their energies. The most important requirement is determination. When one is determined to succeed, nothing in the world can stop him. Proper time management, good reading and research skills, getting acquainted with latest technologies, acquiring better communication skills, and developing critical thinking, are all components of a well-laid out strategic plan, which guarantees success not only in the academic life, but also in the professional life later on. References Collins, K. (2004). Backwards planning (goal setting). Growing Readers: Units of Study In The Primary Classroom. USA: Stenhouse Publishers. Hirsch, G. (2001). Helping College Students Succeed: A Model for Effective Intervention. USA: Psychology Press. Read More