Successful students have many distinguishable qualities. Below are 15 examples, collected from our research study:
Trait 1: Defines success
You realise the importance of making a conscious effort to define what success means for you.
Trait 2: Clarity of Purpose
You know what you want and are driven by a clear sense of purpose. Passion is what will keep you going when the going gets tough. That is what will drive you and sustain your motivation as the work load gets heavier and the pressure builds.
Trait 3: Committed to long-term goals
You stay focused on your long term goals, have a realistic plan to achieve them and commit to attaining them.
Trait 4: Resilience
If you are going to aim for high grades in Year 12, you will need a spirit of determination coupled with a high pain tolerance. You will possibly come across a number of set backs. You may not do as well as you had hoped in tests or assignments, you may get sick because you have over done it, or you may experience the stress of a relationship or family break up.
You’ll need to be willing and able to get knocked down, get up, dust yourself off, and move forward with renewed motivation.
Trait 5: Tenacity
You need a strong sense of grit to withstand any challenges and setbacks and to persevere toward your goals. You manoeuvre around the bumps and stumbles along the way.
Trait 6: Optimism
You know it is going to be a demanding year, and that you will have to make some sacrifices.
You’re not worried, though — you believe in yourself and you know that you will do your best.
Trait 7: Self-Mastery
You are in control of your emotions and your actions. You see setbacks as opportunities for learning and not as personal failures.
Trait 8: Hard working
No one would ever associate the term “slacker” with you. You have a strong desire to meet your goals, a rock-solid work ethic and an ability to persevere when the going gets tough. You take pride in your work, take full responsibility for your actions and realise that no-one else is going to do the work for you.
Trait 9: Takes personal responsibility
You take full responsibility for your actions and your choices. When you slip-up, you own it. You don’t blame others – your teacher, your family, the workload – for where you are. You recognise that the outcome of your Year 12 is a product of the decisions you take. You create better outcomes by applying Jack Canfield’s formula, E+R=O (Event+Response=Outcome).
Trait 10: Seizes an opportunity
When a new opportunity presents itself you see it and seize it. You relish the opportunity to do well, and to experience many new things.
Trait 11: Celebrates successes
You acknowledge, embrace and celebrate the small successes along the Year 12 journey. You take time out to give yourself credit for what you have done and reward yourself for a job well done.
Trait 12: Enjoys social interaction
You understand that building successful relationships is important for happiness and a successful year 12 experience. You enjoy socially interacting with your friends, other students and teachers. When friends want to celebrate a birthday, or play football after school, or go to a movie, you’re more than glad to join in the fun. A rich, diverse social life contributes to your academic success
Trait 13: Has fun
Joining clubs, playing in a band, keeping up with your sport or attending the birthday parties of friends – you know that if you are having fun along the way you will not get tired of studying. You ensure, however, that you keep your social life from affecting your studying.
Trait 14: Maintains work-life balance
Sometimes, the pressure of school work in Year 12 is pretty intense — but you always do what it takes to maintain work-life balance so you don’t burn out.
Trait 15: Manages energy effectively
You understand there is a connection between your energy levels and your academic success. That’s why you take a proactive role in your health and well-being.
How many of these critical qualities do you have? They are the types of attributes that are the mark of a successful student, so they’re worth developing to help advance your studies.
Do you have a question? Send it through via the comments, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter! Remember to use the hashtag #AskVickiJ and I’ll answer it for you.