As a Post-grad college student, I’m always looking for ways to improve my habits and become more successful in life.
So I’ve done some digging (mainly by reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) to uncover the habits of successful college students that help them stay ahead of the curve and thrive through even the most stressful times.
Let’s just say if I were, to sum up, these habits in three words, it would be ‘Organization‘, ‘discipline‘, and ‘Persistence‘. But if you want to get more specific, I can give you a few more than three words. ;).
By following these habits and creating positive ones of our own, we can create an environment where we will be successful no matter what path we choose in life.
So let’s dive into it and start working towards our ideal future!
7 Habits of Highly Successful College Students
1. Showing Up without fail!
90% of life is showing up. Great things can happen to you when you show up. Finding who you are, making quality stuff, meeting amazing people, and being successful mostly come down to showing up.
Showing up is more than arriving at a place. You should be prepared to put in the necessary work. Sure you can wait for the right moment or be ‘inspired’ but if you truly want to be successful, just show up and get to work.
Related: How to Excel In Your College Freshman Year
In college, no one will force you to go to classes and do your homework. No coach will identify your ‘hidden talent’ and ask you to join the basketball team.
So make it a habit to attend all your classes. If you are interested in a certain sport or an extra-curricular activity, ask around and know when events related to it will happen and attend it.
Got a doubt about the subject? Go to your professor and ask him for help.
You need to be attentive. You need to take advantage of all the opportunities college gives you. If you need help, ask for it. And never shy away from asking for help. You need to take initiative.
Related: How to Get Good Grades in College: The Ultimate Guide
2. Be Consistent: Habits of highly successful college students
Discipline and consistency might not always be the most exciting habits, but they’re two keys to success.
Instead of letting the outside world control your moods, you should approach every situation with a “can do” attitude.
Even if something goes wrong or someone yells at you in the morning, don’t let it get you down. Try to keep calm and pleasant – that’s when real winning starts! Who knows, maybe someday these habits will make you famous (or infamous).
But either way, successful college students know that sticking to their guns pays off in the long run. So remember: stay focused and stay positive! It’ll take you places. 😉
Related: 56 Ways to be a Productive College Student: A Glimpse Into an Ultra-Productive Life
3. Have a clear vision of what you want
“We may be very busy, we may be very efficient, but we will also be truly effective only when we Begin with the End in Mind.” – Stephen R Covey.
It’s easy to get lost in the busy-ness of life, to work harder and harder and realize that you have achieved nothing of importance. Save yourself from that and visualize.
Where do you want to be two years from now? Do you want to change who you are or do you have any goals in mind you want to achieve? Have a clear picture of who you want to be.
You needn’t know about the job you will have or where you will settle down. But you need to have a rough outline of what you want so you understand where you are now. In that way, you’ll know what steps to take to achieve your goal.
Related: Dream Big and Write it Down: Harnessing the Power of Goal-Writing
4. Authentic Happiness is Everything: Habits of highly successful college students
Happiness is largely up to you – so if you want to be happy, focus on the things you can control!
Don’t waste time wishing things had been different in the past – it won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, take stock of all the good stuff in your life and give yourself a pat on the back for small wins each day (like friends who do favors for you or gifts you’ve received).
And don’t let other people’s actions rule your emotions: learn to move on from any wrongs done to you and remember that sometimes, kickin’ back with a bowl of ice cream is totally OK.
Get out there and find purpose too – because nothing compares to getting satisfaction from something that means something to YOU.
And lastly, be an optimist – don’t worry about the things you can’t do, focus on the things you CAN and look for those silver linings in every cloud.
Keep reading to know the Habits of successful college students.
5. Have a pause button in your head.
You have an exam three days away and you have a fool-proof study plan to get that A+.
And then all of sudden your friend pops up and tries to convince you to forget about studying for a day and chill out at their place instead. Before you answer, press the pause button in your head!
Don’t actually press it because that would be really weird, but just do it in your head. Remember when we talked about keeping our resolutions strong and not letting outside influences affect our plans? Put that into action here.
Take a few seconds to think carefully before making a decision between getting an A+ or spending time with your friend. Just remember what happens if you choose one over another! And always make sure to make a choice that you won’t regret later!
Related: How to Balance Social Life with Schoolwork: A Guide For College Students
6. Focus on things you can control
Climate change, Tuition Fees, and the way people think.
You might be thinking “Am I supposed to do something about that?” Well, don’t worry! You can’t control any of those things, so instead focus on habits you can actually change.
What people think about you may not be in your control but what IS in your control is how you feel about yourself! So take a step back and realize that others’ opinions really aren’t worth anything. 😉 .
In other words – build habits that will determine your future success as a college student! Start taking small steps now and someone might just call you an inspiration later. 😉
Related: Take a Deep Breath: Here’s How To Overcome College Stress and Anxiety
7. Break Negative Cycles: Habits of highly successful college students
All of us have habits that prevent us from reaching our full potential. Procrastination, making poor choices, and unhealthy eating habits are some of the most common bad habits.
The good news, however, is that you still have a choice.
You can take the initiative and break the cycle. If you want your life to differ from what it is now, you’ve got to do something different. Do you understand that? You can’t do the same things that you are doing now and expect your life to be any different.
Like I said before, It requires initiative and determination to change your habits. Our habits make us who we are and Success is inevitable with the right habits.
Related: How a 5-Minute Journaling Routine Can Help College Students
From the outside, it may appear like some people have superhuman abilities when it comes to achieving success in college and life – but that’s probably just a result of them having the right habits!
Everyone has the potential to do their best in college and beyond, they just need to hone their good habits and become the real MVPs (for those of you who are still catching up on my slang – MVPs: Most Valuable Players).
Successful college students don’t just try harder. They work smarter and form habits like setting goals, staying organized and managing their time.
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