What is Academic Success?
What are some the characteristics of a successful student? While the definition of “successful student” has changed over the years, today’s students need to know a great deal more than reading, writing, and arithmetic in order to succeed. Today’s students must be able to achieve the following:
able to analyze and evaluate information- able to effectively communicate with others
- able to see projects through to completion
- proficiency in science, mathematics, computer & technical skills, foreign languages, as well as history, geography, and global awareness
- capable of collaboratively working in culturally diverse settings
- responsible decision makers
- self-motivated and active political participants
- effectively learn to balance the social and academic aspects of school
Why is Academic Success Important?
Research shows that adults with high levels of education are more likely to be employed, and to earn higher salaries. The number of jobs requiring a college education is expected to grow more than twice as fast as those not requiring a college education over the next ten to twenty years.
Academically successful students have more employment opportunities than those with less education. Thus, academic success may mean the difference between working at a job merely “because it pays the rent” and working at a job that brings about financial prosperity.
Research also shows that people who are academically successful
*are more stable in their employment
*are more likely to have health insurance
*are less likely to engage in criminal activity
*are less dependent on public assistance
*are more active as citizens and charitable volunteers
Finally, studies have confirmed that academically successful adolescents delay participation in sexual activity , have higher self-esteem, have lower levels of depression and anxiety, are less likely to abuse alcohol and to exhibit socially deviant behavior, and are less likely to engage in substance abuse.