College is a time of learning, exploration, and growth. It can also be a time of challenge, stress, and uncertainty. How can you make the most of your college experience and achieve your academic and personal goals? What does it mean to be a successful student in college?
Student success in college is a complex and multidimensional concept that encompasses both educational and early career performance¹. Educational performance metrics include college grades, cumulative GPA, program persistence, degree attainment, and student retention¹. Early career performance metrics include income, occupational prestige, and job satisfaction¹.
However, student success is not only measured by quantitative indicators. It also involves qualitative aspects such as engagement, satisfaction, well-being, identity, and purpose. Student success is influenced by individual factors such as motivation, self-efficacy, learning style, and values, as well as contextual factors such as institutional support, academic culture, peer interaction, and social integration³.
Therefore, student success in college is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It is a dynamic and evolving process that requires students to adapt to changing circumstances, overcome obstacles, and pursue opportunities. It also requires students to reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses, interests, and aspirations and align them with their academic and career choices.
In this article, we discuss some of the key elements of student success in college and provide tips and strategies on how to achieve it. We also explore some of the implications and benefits of student success for individuals and society.
Elements of student success in college
According to the literature, there are several elements that contribute to student success in college. These elements can be grouped into four categories: academic, personal, social, and institutional⁴.
Academic elements
Academic elements refer to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students need to perform well in their coursework and achieve their learning outcomes. Some of the academic elements of student success are:
- Goal setting:
- Time management:
Managing time effectively can help students balance their academic, personal, and professional responsibilities, prioritize their tasks, and avoid procrastination and stress⁶.
- Study skills:
Developing effective study skills can help students improve their comprehension, retention, and application of the course material, as well as prepare for exams and assignments. Some of the study skills that students can use are note-taking, summarizing, outlining, reviewing, and self-testing⁷.
- Critical thinking:
Developing critical thinking skills can help students analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources, as well as formulate and communicate their own arguments and perspectives.
- Research skills:
Developing research skills can help students find, select, and use relevant and reliable sources of information for their academic projects, as well as cite and reference them properly.
- Writing skills:
Developing writing skills can help students express their ideas clearly, coherently, and persuasively in various genres and formats, such as essays, reports, proposals, and articles.
- Oral communication skills:
Developing oral communication skills can help students present their ideas confidently, effectively, and professionally in various settings, such as lectures, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
Personal elements
Personal elements refer to the attitudes, values, and beliefs that students have about themselves, their education, and their future. Some of the personal elements of student success are:
- Motivation:
Motivation is the driving force that energizes and directs students' behavior toward their goals. Motivation can be intrinsic or extrinsic, depending on whether the source of motivation comes from within or outside the individual. Intrinsic motivation is associated with higher levels of interest, enjoyment, and self-determination, while extrinsic motivation is associated with higher levels of pressure, anxiety, and compliance. Students can enhance their motivation by finding meaning and value in their learning, setting challenging and attainable goals, and receiving positive feedback and recognition.
- Self-efficacy:
Self-efficacy is the belief that students have in their ability to perform a specific task or achieve a specific outcome. Self-efficacy can influence students' choice of activities, level of effort, persistence, and resilience. Students can improve their self-efficacy by mastering new skills, observing successful role models, receiving verbal encouragement, and managing their emotions.
- Self-regulation:
Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and control one's own thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to achieve one's goals. Self-regulation involves three components: cognition, metacognition, and motivation. Cognition refers to the mental processes that students use to acquire and apply knowledge, such as attention, memory, and reasoning. Metacognition refers to the awareness and regulation of one's own cognitive processes, such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating. Motivation refers to the factors that influence students' engagement and persistence, such as goals, values, and emotions. Students can enhance their self-regulation by setting specific and realistic goals, using effective learning strategies, checking their understanding and progress, and rewarding themselves for their achievements.
- Well-being:
Well-being is the state of being healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Well-being can affect students' academic performance, satisfaction, and retention. Well-being can be influenced by various factors, such as physical health, mental health, social relationships, and environmental conditions. Students can improve their well-being by taking care of their physical and mental health, seeking social support, engaging in positive activities, and coping with stress.
Social elements
Social elements refer to the interactions and relationships that students have with other people in their academic environment, such as peers, instructors, advisors, and mentors. Some of the social elements of student success are:
- Engagement:
Engagement is the degree of involvement and participation that students have in their academic activities, such as attending classes, completing assignments, joining discussions, and seeking feedback. Engagement can enhance students' learning outcomes, satisfaction, and retention. Engagement can be influenced by various factors, such as interest, relevance, challenge, feedback, and autonomy. Students can increase their engagement by choosing courses and topics that match their interests and goals, taking an active role in their learning, seeking and providing feedback, and taking advantage of the opportunities and resources available.
- Collaboration:
Collaboration is the process of working with others to achieve a common goal or produce a shared product. Collaboration can foster students learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills, as well as their social and emotional competencies. Collaboration can be facilitated by various factors, such as clear and shared goals, roles, and expectations, mutual trust and respect, open and constructive communication, and constructive conflict resolution. Students can improve their collaboration skills by forming diverse and balanced groups, establishing and following group norms and rules, listening and responding to others ideas and feedback, and acknowledging and appreciating others' contributions.
- Mentoring:
Mentoring is a relationship between a more experienced and knowledgeable person (mentor) and a less experienced and knowledgeable person (mentee) who share similar goals, interests, or backgrounds. Mentoring can provide students with guidance, support, feedback, and opportunities for academic and professional development. Mentoring can be formal or informal, depending on the degree of structure, duration, and frequency of the relationship. Students can benefit from mentoring by finding and approaching potential mentors, establishing and maintaining a positive and respectful relationship, communicating their needs and expectations, and following their mentors' advice and suggestions.
Institutional elements
Institutional elements refer to the policies, practices, and culture of the educational institution that students attend, as well as the support and services that they provide. Some of the institutional elements of student success are:
- Admission:
Admission is the process of selecting and enrolling students into an educational institution based on certain criteria and requirements. Admission can affect students' success by influencing their access, diversity, and fit to the institution. Admission can be selective or open, depending on the degree of competition and availability of places. Students can improve their chances of admission by preparing and submitting their application materials, such as transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendations, in a timely and professional manner.
- Orientation:
Orientation is the process of introducing and familiarizing new students to the educational institution, its policies, programs, and resources. Orientation can enhance students' success by facilitating their transition, adjustment, and integration to the institution. Orientation can be delivered in various formats, such as online, face-to-face, or hybrid, and at various times, such as before, during, or after the start of the academic term.
How to achieve student success in college
Achieving student success in college is not a matter of luck or talent. It is a result of deliberate and consistent effort, planning, and strategy. Some strategies can help students achieve success in college, as noted below:
- Know yourself:
Before you start your college journey, take some time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. What are you good at? What do you need to improve? What do you enjoy? What do you want to achieve? Knowing yourself can help you choose the right courses, majors, and careers that suit your personality, skills, and values.
- Know your institution:
Once you enroll in your college, familiarize yourself with its policies, programs, and resources. What are the admission requirements, academic standards, and graduation criteria? What are the courses, majors, and minors offered? What are the support and services available, such as tutoring, counseling, advising, and mentoring? Knowing your institution can help you navigate your academic environment, access the opportunities and benefits, and avoid the pitfalls and challenges.
- Know your instructors:
As soon as you start your classes, get to know your instructors and their expectations. What are their names, backgrounds, and contact information? What are their teaching styles, methods, and objectives? What are their grading criteria, feedback mechanisms, and office hours? Knowing your instructors can help you establish a positive and respectful relationship, communicate your needs and concerns, and seek their guidance and assistance.
- Know your peers:
Throughout your college experience, interact and network with your peers and classmates. Who are they, where are they from, and what are they interested in? How can you collaborate, cooperate, and learn from them? How can you support, encourage, and motivate them? Knowing your peers can help you build a sense of community, belonging, and diversity, as well as develop your social and emotional skills.
- Know your resources:
In addition to your instructors and peers, there are many other resources that can help you succeed in college. These include books, journals, websites, databases, and other sources of information that can enhance your knowledge and understanding. They also include tools, technologies, and software that can facilitate your learning and productivity. Knowing your resources can help you find, select, and use the most relevant and reliable ones for your academic projects and goals.
- Know your strategies:
Finally, to achieve student success in college, you need to have a set of strategies that can help you plan, organize, and execute your academic tasks and activities. These include goal setting, time management, study skills, critical thinking, research skills, writing skills, and oral communication skills, as discussed earlier. Knowing your strategies can help you optimize your learning outcomes, performance, and satisfaction.
Implications and benefits of student success in college
Student success in college is not only important for students themselves, but also for their families, communities, and society. Student success in college can have various implications and benefits, such as:
- Personal growth:
Student success in college can foster students' personal growth and development, as they acquire new knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as explore their identity, values, and purpose. Student success in college can also enhance students' well-being and happiness, as they experience satisfaction, achievement, and fulfillment.
- Professional advancement:
Student success in college can facilitate students' professional advancement and career prospects, as they earn their degrees, credentials, and qualifications, as well as build their networks, portfolios, and reputations. Student success in college can also increase students' income, stability, and security, as they access more and better job opportunities and markets.
- Social contribution:
Student success in college can enable students' social contribution and civic engagement, as they apply their knowledge, skills, and values to address the issues and challenges that affect their communities and society. Student success in college can also promote students' social responsibility and citizenship, as they participate in the democratic processes and institutions that shape their society.
All in all, student success in college is not a fixed or predetermined outcome, but a process that requires students to adapt, overcome, and pursue their goals and aspirations. In otherwords, enhance their GRIT. Student success in college is not only beneficial for students themselves, but also for their families, communities, and society.
If you want to achieve student success in college, you need to know yourself, your institution, your instructors, your peers, your resources, and your strategies. You also need to apply these tips and strategies consistently and diligently throughout your college experience. By doing so, you can maximize your learning outcomes, performance, and satisfaction, as well as your personal growth, professional advancement, and social contribution.
Are you ready to achieve success in college? If so, start today and don't give up. You have the potential and the power to make it happen. GROW YOUR GRIT 😊
References:
(1) How to Be Successful in College: The Recipe for Future Students. https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-college-student/.
(3) How to be Successful | Advice for College Freshmen. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/how-to-be-successful-in-college.
(4) Student Success in College: An Expanding Perspective - jobZology. https://jobzology.com/student-success-an-expanded-perspective/.
(5) What is student success? New insight into a complex question. https://rossier.usc.edu/news-insights/news/what-student-success-new-insight-complex-question.
(6) The Structure of an Academic Paper - Harvard University. https://communicate.gse.harvard.edu/files/commlab/files/_structure_of_a_paper.pdf.
