College Student Success: What Does It Look Like, And How Can You Achieve It?

College can be an especially impactful part of a person’s life that often functions as a major transition from childhood to adulthood. Students considering college or beginning their college experience may be wondering what college will look like for them. They may know that they want to graduate with a degree, but the path to graduation may look a little fuzzy. It may be helpful to define what success means to you and establish a plan to achieve it. For further guidance, consider working with a licensed mental health professional.

What does student success look like?

Success looks different for everyone. This may be especially true regarding college student success because college typically has a distinct social aspect that can greatly impact the college experience. For many college students, success includes a few outcomes:

• They succeed academically, whatever that looks like for them.
• They have an overall positive college experience.
• They graduate with the confidence necessary to pursue the next steps in their lives.

Academic achievement

Successful academic achievement can be both a short- and long-term feat. Short-term, this can look like doing well in your classes, whether that means you pass them or you finish the semester on the dean’s list. Long-term academic achievement generally means that you complete your degree and graduate college. It may also involve academic extracurriculars, such as participating in research projects or studying abroad before you graduate. 

Positive college experience

No two students are likely to have the same college experience because this experience tends to be influenced by a variety of choices. Where you choose to live, which classes you take, the clubs and associations you join, the events you attend, and a host of other factors may impact your college experience. It may be helpful to consider what’s most important to you about your time at college and what you want life to look like after graduation. This may help you choose your path during your college years.

Self-confidence

One goal of the college experience may be to instill confidence in individuals on a personal and professional level. When they graduate, successful students are usually confident in their academic growth and have developed the skills necessary to pursue a career in their chosen field or continue their academic studies. 

How can I be a successful student?

Successful students learn how to balance academics and personal lives

College can be a unique experience because, for many students, the social aspect of it is just as important as the academic aspect. Finding a balance between the two can be daunting, but it’s often crucial to your overall success. 

Here are a few ways you can balance academics with your personal life:

• Create a weekly and daily schedule. Include time for classes, assignments, and social activities. Time blocking is a popular time management strategy in which you divide your day into blocks of time and assign a specific task to each block. This can be a helpful method for breaking your day into class time, study time, and social time.
• Don’t be afraid to say no. At times, you may need to turn down a friend’s invitation to study for a test the next day. While other social opportunities will likely arise, you usually only have one chance to take a test. 
• Reach out when you need help. Some young adults entering college may experience personal challenges, such as housing insecurity and economic hardship. There are usually staff and campus organizations that can point you toward helpful resources and ensure your needs are being met so you can focus on your academic responsibilities.  

Successful students set and achieve goals

Setting and achieving goals can be instrumental to student success. To begin setting goals, think about what you want to achieve during the semester, over the course of your college experience, and later in life as you pursue your career. Generally, these goals should be related and may become stepping stones for one another. 

One helpful exercise may be to write down goals you would like to set for yourself. Short-term goals can benefit from being set up as SMART goals; that is, they should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. For example, you may set a goal to apply to five internship positions in your field by the end of the month. 

It can help to write down mid- and long-term goals as well, but because these goals involve a greater length of time, they’ll usually be more general and may not follow the SMART format. Examples of these goals might include graduating with a certain GPA and securing a job at a certain company after graduation. 

Common characteristics of successful college students

Many successful students share similar traits, including those listed below.

• Engaged - Successful students usually are not passive. They frequently participate in class and ask questions when they don’t understand something. They often pursue additional opportunities, such as research or study abroad programs. 
• Proactive - Students who are successful typically take action to pursue their goals. They may consider what actions need to happen to achieve both their short- and long-term goals and take steps to reach them without needing to be told what to do next. 
• Organized - Effective time management can be a significant contributor to student success. Students who thrive in college normally understand how to balance the demands of their coursework with personal responsibilities, such as part-time work, so that they also have room in their schedule for enjoyable social activities. 
• Connected - Because your social life can be such a critical component of the overall college experience, successful students are generally connected. They often form relationships with their peers and mentors. They frequently participate in student organizations and clubs and may also become part of the local community.
• Adaptable - For many students, college is the biggest transition of their life so far. It can involve moving far away from home, meeting a host of new people, and being given a level of responsibility they have never experienced before. Successful students usually learn how to adapt to these changes and take on any additional changes that come their way. 
• Curious - Curiosity can drive academic growth. Successful students often take the initiative to dive deeper into topics and ask questions about the content. They tend to be highly motivated, especially in classes pertaining to their major.

Who can help me achieve student success?

You are not alone in your college endeavors. You can seek out the support of others to learn from more experienced individuals and build relationships that benefit both your personal and academic growth. 

University faculty and staff

Having a mentor can be a critical component of achieving student success as you pursue higher education. It can be helpful to get to know your professors, especially those teaching courses related directly to your degree. You can go to instructors’ office hours to have deeper conversations about what you’re studying or ask about participating in undergraduate research opportunities. You may also benefit from working with your advisor, campus organization leaders, or grad students.

Peers

It can be helpful to get to know your classmates, especially in your degree-specific courses. This can give you a group of people with whom you can share knowledge and form study groups. For many college attendees, these classmates become lifelong friends and helpful connections in your professional network. 

Family or loved ones

The family or loved ones who raised you can still function as a support system as you go off to university. Alumni in the family may help you make connections. Older siblings may have suggestions for effective time management. Sometimes, calling home for a mental health boost when you’re experiencing the strain of a full course load can be helpful. 

Supporting your mental health in college

Your mental health can have a strong impact on your student success and what kind of college experience you have. Here are a few ways to take care of your mental well-being and make the most of your time at university.

• Make choices to support your physical well-being. The status of your physical health often has a direct correlation to the status of your mental health. Try to exercise regularly, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and eat nutritious meals. 
• Practice effective time management. Try to reduce or remove distractions. For example, if you and your roommate end up chatting anytime you’re in your dorm room together, you may benefit from studying in the library and returning to your room when you’re done for the day.
• Avoid substance and alcohol misuse. Various substances and alcohol may be readily available on campus. If you’re under 21, avoid alcohol altogether, and if you’re of legal age, make sure to consume responsibly. 
• Prioritize self-care. You probably won’t be able to relax in a bubble bath when all that’s available are communal showers, so try to find other ways to care for yourself. Practice mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind when you are stressed or overwhelmed. You can also relax and reset by reading a book, listening to music, or creating art. 
• Maintain continuity of care if you have a history of mental or physical health challenges. When you turn 18, you typically gain a great deal of control surrounding your health care, which can also come with greater responsibility. The transition of starting college and possibly moving away from your family can create a slippery slope that may result in a lapse in your treatment plan. Continue to take any prescribed medications according to your doctor’s guidelines and ask your healthcare provider for a referral to providers in your new location (if applicable). 

Resources for student success support

College students may experience a great deal of pressure to achieve success. In addition, the major life transition from high school to college can lead young adults to feel stressed or anxious. Resources and support services are available to help students manage the personal and academic demands of university. 

• Student health center: Most universities have a student health center where students can obtain free or low-cost physical and mental health care.
• Online therapy platforms: Services like BetterHelp offer convenient access to virtual therapy with a licensed mental health professional.
• Career center: At the university career center, students can participate in workshops, career counseling, resume assistance, and numerous other services that can help them find jobs.
• Writing center: Students can receive assistance with writing assignments, including general feedback, proofreading, and help with citations. 
• Tutoring center: Many campuses have tutoring centers where you can receive free tutoring from subject experts. 

A college student’s schedule can be unorthodox and, at times, unpredictable. With online therapy, students can schedule sessions at a time that’s convenient for them, whether that’s between classes or after club meetings. Research generally supports the use of online therapy for treating a range of mental health disorders, and studies suggest that it’s just as effective as in-person therapy.