The Seven Habits of Highly Successful Students Russell Conwell Educational Services Center Temple University

Habit # 1: Be proactive.

Take charge of your learning experience. Use all the tools and resources available to you. Start now; don’t wait till it’s too late. Ask for what you need. Advocate for yourself. Talk to you’re Advisor/Counselor. Talk to your professors. Ask for help from your peers. Get a tutor.

Drive your education. Don’t let it drive you!

Habit # 2: Begin with the end in mind.

Investigate career options now.

Consult with and review: Career Counselor Professors People working in the field Campus career fairs Job listings Professional publications

Is this course of study going to take me where I want to go?

Do I want to go where this course of study is taking me?

Clarify and redefine your goals as you advance through your academic courses.

Habit # 3: Put first things first.

Identify goals and obligations. Separate long term from short term goals. Set priorities and revisit them. Use a time management plan.

First, be clear with yourself about your own needs. Then consider what others expect of you.

Set your priorities according to what you know you most want to achieve!

Be realistic! Know what you can control. Know what you can’t. “Underwhelm” yourself.

Avoid procrastination!

Make the work relevant to you. Make your own performance standards reasonable. Make sure your fully understand the task. Calm yourself from performance fears and fear of the unknown. “Chunk” large tasks into a series of smaller ones. Allocate appropriate time for each task and don’t feel guilty about it. Give yourself rewards at reasonable intervals. Make internal deadlines so you’ll end up with extra time.

Habit # 4: Don’t Compete.

Avoid adversarial relationships with professors and peers.

Seek teamwork and teambuilding opportunities.

View grades as constructive feedback.

See tests as opportunities to show the professor what you know… …and find out what you need to learn.

Focus on repairing (not comparing) your performance.

Habit #5: Communicate well.

Learn to be a better listener.

Be quiet. Maintain comfortable eye contact. Display openness. Send acknowledgements. Give back understanding. Pay attention to non-verbal cues. Listen for requests and intentions.

Use empathy. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Be clear when telling others what you expect. Make sure you understand your own needs first!

Habit #6: Join a diverse learning community.

Seek real life learning experiences. Value differences and build upon them. Participate in campus life outside the classroom.

Volunteer. Take a course that requires service learning. Be an intern. Join a student organization. Be a research assistant. Attend campus and community cultural events.

Get to know someone whose cultural background is different than yours.

Habit #7: Sharpen the saw.

Take care of your health, both physically and emotionally.

Learn to relax, practice moderation, and balance your life.

Sleep, eat well, and give yourself time to enjoy friends and family.

You are your most important resource!

If you would like more information on this topic, contact: Janice Kersey Boyd