I am working through how to articulate good learning and study habits for my students.

Here is a simple list of DISPOSITIONS that I have come up with so far — do you have any you would add?

  • Risk taking — often more is learned in figuring out what doesn’t work than in getting everything the first time.
  • Humor — when we can laugh at our selves, it’s easier to get over simple errors.
  • Work ethic — do you know a better way to express this quality? The ability to do “whatever it takes” to master a concept or task. Not relying on others to do the “heavy lifting” but seeking help when stuck and powering through the tedious or difficult.
  • In the same vein, perhaps, is willingness to try… and keep trying until you get it.
  • Humility — accepting that someone else might have a better way, a more concise explanation, a simpler or more elegant technique.
  • Hubris — just enough to think you really can master what seems to be an impossible task!
  • Curiosity — wanting to learn why, or how, or when… wanting to learn, just for the sake of knowing.
  • Clarity of purpose — if for no internal motivation, an external motivator such as wanting to go to college, or be a scientist, or to get an “A” can be enough to get a student through.
  • Time — students who will make time to come in and chat quickly before or after school or during lunch recess can often figure out in a few minutes what an hour of instruction didn’t clear up.

2 Interactions on “What makes a successful student

  1. I think it’s a GREAT idea! I wonder if I should model some strategies for them before I encourage them to use their own? Was thinking that having them make small “flash cards” for a concentration-style game might be fun for them, and allow them to include family members in the study process…

  2. Don’t forget to teach kids how to make up their own strategies for memorization. If they actively memorize stuff they are able to manipulate their knowledge easily for better results later on.
    Just a thought. Hope you are not offended.

Leave Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.