University Student Success Guide
This paper discusses the qualities and methods needed in a student success guide. This guide outlines what students must do to perform well and complete their education satisfactorily regardless of the institution they attend. Of primary concern to most students when entering college is their ability to achieve, succeed and acquire their diploma. Many universities now offer success guides to students with the hope that students will benefit from these guides. This paper hypothesizes that a successful student guide will encourage students to find intrinsic motivation and adopt learning strategies that encourage a self-managed approach. A self-managed approach is one where students have control over the courses they take and the manner in which they study (Dembo, 2000; Bandura, 1982). This ap
proach does not suggest teachers do not involve themselves with students; rather it suggests the role of the teacher is to offer students skills that help them organize their coursework and encourage them to create a plan of action that motivates them on an individual level. A student may opt to create a notebook for each class and create a task list, and then prioritize it, for each class or for each semester. Conclusion A well-rounded student success guide should encourage students to take control of their education. A good success guide also teaches students successful time management strategies they can employ in various ways to ensure they maximize their time, work efficiently and productively and still have "free" time to enjoy the college experience. Also important to include in a student success guide are tips and strategies that will enable students to learn how to manage time effectively, especially when they are involved in multiple activities or extracurricular activities while attending university (Britton & Tesser, 1991). Once a student understands what motivates them, they are more likely to change their behaviors and their beliefs about their ability to succeed. Lastly, a successful student guide should provide students with contact numbers including the numbers of libraries or support services including computer laboratories, writing workshops and tutors so students have access to aid when they need it and can seek it without relying on others to assist them. Time management strategies may also involve the use of checklists, so students can keep abreast or track of their progress (Britton & Tesser, 1991). It will also enable the student to feel more in control of their educational environment. This again emphasizes the role of the student as self-sufficient, empowering students to partake of school activities in an active and motivated way. A student success guide providing these skills and instruments will prove invaluable for students struggling to juggle multiple assignments, classes and schools of thought. This will necessitate information that will teach the student how to identify their personal motivators, or the things that motivate them to perform well in school. Stipek (1998) notes that many students feel they have a limited ability to succeed, thus it is the teacher's role and the role of the student guide to help encourage the student and suggest this feeling is false, and then helps the students identify their personal motivational triggers. Time management strategies that may prove beneficial in a student success guide include techniques for prioritizing assignments, lessons, studying and "free" time where students can decide what to do with their time.
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