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SAMPLE
Professor Jerome
ESL 360
February 25, 2020
Characteristics and Strategies for Being a Successful Student
Many students, when new to a class or studies, do not know what they should do to be a
successful student at the beginning. The strategies that help me to be a successful student are
managing my time well, knowing about and using resources, and being OK with frustration.
First, to manage my time well, I plan out my available time and control the amount of time I
spend on specific tasks. Time management helps me be organized and work on each task more
efficiently. When I am organized in my studies, I have more time to take care of other
responsibilities. For example, I may drop off my children at school and pick them up on time,
and I can spend time with my family without feeling stressed. In addition, time management
gives me confidence to continue studying and be an active learner. Second, I know about and use
resources that help me be successful in my classes, such as professors’ office hours, tutors,
workshops, and student support services. Using these resources helps me find out my answers
about assignments and get all the other help I need with my studies. When I need help and am
confused, I chat with my instructor or tutor and discuss my problem. After I get guidance and
explanation from them, I can solve my problem easily. Third, being OK with frustration is an
important strategy when something is ambiguous or challenging for me. For example, when I
have an assignment or quiz that I am not sure how to do, I do not get disappointed. Instead, I
give my efforts to find out ways that could help me get solutions. I try to remain calm, stay
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connected with an instructor or a tutor, talk about resolutions, get suggestions, and try to build up
my confidence. All of these struggles help be patient, not lose hope, and focus more on getting
results as a successful student. In conclusion, nothing is easy without having positive
characteristics or using effective strategies. At the beginning, as a new student, it was hard for
me to manage everything easily, but when I tried practicing and continuing these strategies, it led
me to achieve success, reach my goal, and be a successful student.
