Characteristics That a Successful College Student Needs to Have - Essay Example

Journal What do you think are the most important issues facing people of your generation in this election? This election is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent memory because of the state of the economy right now. Drastic action is needed to reverse the current trends in the economy and get the United States back on track. Economic issues are really important for the people of my generation, but the same could be said for almost all generations. In addition to the economy, issues that are important to younger in this election are student loans, immigration, and climate change. The current state of the economy does not look good for new entrants to the job market. If the economy remains in a recession for an extended period of time then it will significantly impact people like me in terms of getting a job. In order to have a successful career, it is important to secure a job that has many opportunities for promotion or career extension. The debt ceiling is growing higher every year, and it will affect my generation the most because we will have to deal with it in the long term. As a college student, I understand the need for taking out student loans to pay for tuition fees. Education is a really important sector of society, so there needs to be a way to encourage as many people as possible to go onto higher education. If student loans are unaffordable, then this will impact on me and my peers’ ability to pay them back in a short space of time. As a knock-on effect, this will restrict career growth and ultimately lead to a workforce that lack experience and qualifications. The United States was founded on immigration, and the issue is just as relevant today as it has been throughout the history of this country. As an immigrant myself, I want to see immigration laws relaxed so that it is easier for foreigners to emigrate here. With many of the baby boomers retiring, there will be a space in the job market, and it will be up to immigrants to help fill this role. I understand what it is like to leave one’s own native land and move to a foreign place full of expectation. In the coming years, the issue of immigration will only become more important, so it is important that the politicians place a high priority on it. Finally, for my generation the issue of climate change will be very important because of the long-term implications that it can have for the globe. The effects of Hurricane Sandy show that global warming is only going to get worse in the coming years, so the politicians need to create a clear policy on how to deal with the issue. My generation will have to face the consequences of actions taken today in regards to climate change, so this is an issue that affects my generation more than any others. Journal Three characteristics that a successful college student needs to have. College can be a stressful time for any student because of the extra demands that are placed on them. Many people often think that intelligence is a prerequisite for attending college, but this characteristic only has a small effect in the success of a college student. There are other attributes that are often overlooked in favor of talent or intellect but are absolutely necessary for the college student to achieve highly during their short few years in college. Although there are many characteristics that a successful college student needs to have, three vitally important ones are a good work ethic, the ability to overcome challenges, and also to be open to new suggestions. The transition can be tough not only because it takes time to get used to new surroundings, but also because the workload can be significantly heavier. The volume of work that is required in college requires someone who is committed and dedicated enough to pursue their chosen subject area with joy. Usually long days and late nights are needed to brush up on key lecture concepts before an upcoming exam, so it does take absolute commitment in order to be a successful college student. Some students are highly capably in terms of their ability, but they don’t have the will power to apply themselves and put in some hard work. The students that receive the most success in college are those who are prepared to sacrifice some of their extra-curricular activities in order to stay on track and focused on college work. Secondly, college requires the ability to rise above the many challenges that inevitably crop up along the way. College can be just as demanding physically as it is mentally, so it requires students to have great reservoirs of physical and mental strength to overcome whatever falls in their path. Students who become easily phased by challenges and aren’t willing to push themselves to the limit are usually the ones who either drop out or fall behind in class. Successful college students thrive on challenges that they come across because they believe it to be a great opportunity to showcase their ability. Finally, in order to be a successful college student, there needs to be openness to new thoughts and ideas. College is a time when students think of all sorts of ideas, and it is a good time to gain perspective on life because there are many different people who have the same objective. Those students who believe that they know it all and have nothing to learn in university will not succeed because their ideas will naturally become outdated. Students who keep an open mind and take in everything that their lecturers have to say and are also willing to listen to the thoughts of their fellow students will ultimately become a more well-rounded student. It is vitally important during college to listen to many different perspectives on certain issues so that a student can form a belief in their own mind. Read More