The choices we make and do will create our lives.
During the final class meeting before exam week begins I ask my students for feedback. In this case, I ask them to consider advice they would like to pass along to first-year college students. Most of my students are in their first or second college semesters. While many are between 18 and 25 years of age, a good number are in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Interestingly, the advice transcends calendar years. It is amazing what 15 weeks of college expectations and discipline will do to one’s outlook on life. And I never get tired of being a part of this growth each semester.
Research indicates that many of our entering students are woefully prepared for the college experience.
Source: knewton.com via Steve on Pinterest
Today I will share my students’ thoughts with you about succeeding in college. While this list can easily be labeled “College Readiness Advice,” I would encourage you to see how their advice easily can be applied to our own lives—in business, at home, and in our communities. So, here, in no particular order (other than the order they spoke in class), is the considered wisdom from a few of my fall semester students.
- Don’t take energy vampires on your journey.
- You have been given a gift from God—use it wisely.
- Forget about Plan A and Plan B. You better have a Plan C!
- Success leads to confidence.
- Use the college resources for your benefit.
- Life happens.
- You need specific actions if you want to get to your dreams.
- Small steps keep it manageable.
- This student success course was about building discipline.
- Discipline allows me to get to higher levels in life.
- Attend and be part of each class and day.
- Develop your “live” social network.
- Don’t eat cafeteria food. [!]
- I don’t need anyone else’s drama.
- If you don’t want to be here [college] don’t waste your time and money.
- Be thankful for not only yours but also the motivation, dedication and inspiration you get from your classmates. [One of my students actually wrote a love letter to the class and read it from the front of the room!]
- Pay attention to details.
- Don’t just read about strategies—apply them often.
- Ask questions.
- Be timely.
- Online classes take discipline.
- Make sound decisions.
- Surround yourself with people who love you.
- If you daydream rather than plan—you will get nowhere.
- Give it all you got.
- Research your options.
- Seek out nutritious people.
- Surround yourself with people who want to better themselves.
- Be about what God has called you to do.
- Never give up.
Video recommendation for the week:
My short takeaway on what my students said: The choices we make and do will create our lives.
Share this list with a student, colleague, friend or family member. And feel free to share your success strategies.
Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B.as needed!
My 2013 webinar series will be announced in the very near future. The theme for the coming year is THE YEAR OF THE DREAM! Check my website for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your support.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli). Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Have a wonderful week!
©2012. Steve Piscitelli.
The Growth and Resilience Network® 
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The whole article states how to become discipline with your life by being prepared organized and responsible. like how the student list ways how to prepare yourself for college and being active readiness. we have the choice to become successful and order to that, we must take action but first have structure and steps how to be successful
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Yes…life is about choices. Choices for Success!
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If you want to succeed in life and you are willing to put a change in your life, do it now. Alot of people start school for the wrong reason. some is here for the money and that’s it. If you put your all into school you will have the faith and the wisdom and you want the fear of failing at your dream. Everybody has a life to live but there comes a time in life when you shoula make a change and want to do something, better yet you should want to go further in life to make your life better for yourself (kids). There’s nothing wrong with a change. To reach your dream a change is a good thing.
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Yes, change can be very positive and affirming.
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I think people need to know why they want to go to college before they start it. I believe this will determine if the outcome is going to be a positive or a negative. A lot of kids are not being put in the right direction in life after high school and that is why so many are left astray and end up becoming adults who have no plan. Their are families out their who are happy enough that their child just gets a diploma. They have not prepared that teenager for nothing else more than to go apply for a good job and that is how so many end up unhappy in life. A lot of times students end up not being successful at college the first year because they have not properly prepared for it and most likely don’t know for sure what is it that they want from life and does it require a college degree.
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Your insights seem to point to the importance of expectations. Set them low or set them high–we will reach the level we set.
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It doesn’t matter how old you are success comes in all ages and ethnics. I can admit its a little hard because I havent been to school in a while. I have to go to bed early and less partying. More focus is so much in life because I know what I want and that’s success so it can reflect and benifit my kids in the future. I am going to finish college do what I need to do like my homework extra activities that reflect what I’m in school for getting rest and not giving up when it gets harder because its gonna get harder. I’m set out to successed I don’t know no other way..
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Stay focused on your priorities…remember to keep the non-negotiables in front of you.
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Thank you for the kind words, Barrett. Feel free to share the blog and website (www.stevepiscitelli.com). All the best to you!
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I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later
on and see if the problem still exists.
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