Academic and Personal Behaviors Necessary for Student Success

There are many academic and personal behaviors necessary for student success that teachers instill in their students. Doing well in school is not all about good grades. Students need foundational skills in order to be successful students. Some examples are persistence, engagement, work habits, organizational skills, communication, collaboration, and self-regulation.

Persistence

Persistence is one of several academic and personal behaviors necessary for student success. Students need to be committed to school, work toward goals, and finish difficult tasks. Teachers help students to develop persistence by creating a culture for learning, rewarding effort, encouraging goal setting and offering opportunities to correct mistakes.

Engagement

Students need to feel connected to the educational process by being involved in school activities, making friendships and communicating with teachers. When students are engaged learners, they are motivated to do well. Teachers help support student engagement by valuing effort, rewarding academic skills and listening to their students.

Work Habits and Organizational Skills

Two more academic and personal behaviors necessary for student success are work habits and organizational skills. Students need to learn the skills to: work independently, be organized, manage time effectively, and self-assess. Teachers help by teaching time management skills, using planners, encouraging productivity, and effective note-taking strategies.

Communication and Collaboration Skills

When students practice appropriate communication and collaboration skills, they are learning the not only to improve their academic success but to improve their social skills and future employment opportunities in the future. It is important to learn how to ask for help when needed, to take turns, to express your knowledge and to work with others. Teachers can support these skills by providing opportunities for students to collaborate (i.e. group projects) and to offer one on one support when needed.

Self-Regulation Skills

Research indicates that self-regulation in children can be a predictor of academic achievement and behavioral responses. Students with good self-regulation are resilient. They have developed coping skills, self-control, problem-solving skills, and the ability to keep trying even though something is challenging. Teachers help to support the development of self-regulation skills by creating a learning environment that: is respectful, encourages positive behaviors, teaches problem-solving skills, and values appropriate student behavior. Read more on self-regulation here.

How Can Students Practice These Academic and Personal Behaviors Necessary for Student Success?

It is important that students and teachers are always working on persistence, engagement, work habits, communication, and self-regulation skills. These are skills that require growth over time. Encourage students to use the Self- Assessments and Checklists for Good Work Habits to gain independence with these skills.

Help your students become independent, motivated, organized, persistent, and engaged learners with the Self-Assessments and Checklists for Good Work Habits.