7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens

By Sean Covey

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or teens, life is not a playground, it’s a jungle. And, being the parent of a teenage isn’t any walk in the park, either. In his book, The Habits of Highly Effective Teens, author Sean Covey attempts to provide “a compass to help teens and their parents navigate the problems they encounter daily.”

How will they deal with peer pressure? Motivation? Success or lack thereof? The life of a teenager is full of tough issues and life-changing decisions. As a parent, you are responsible to help them learn the principles and ethics that will help them to reach their goals and live a successful life.

 

While it’s all well and good to tell kids how to live their lives, “teens watch what you do more than they listen to what you say,” Covey says. So practice what you preach. Your example can be very influential.

Covey himself has done well by following a parent’s example. His dad, Stephen Covey, wrote the book The Habits of Highly Successful People, which sold over 15 million copies. Sean’s a chip of the old block, and no slacker. His own book has rung in a more than respectable 2 million copies sold. Here are seven habits, and some ideas for helping your teen understand and apply them.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Profile of a Successful Student

Part 3

… owns or has easy access to a computer with Internet access and e-mail

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ou don’t have to be a computer expert to be successful in online learning – but you must have access to a personal computer with reliable Internet access, as well as a basic level of competency in using them. Owning a computer with Internet access from your home is ideal but many students use the computer labs on campus or at their offices to complete their work.

… has basic computer skills and is willing and open to learning new ones

 We said you don’t have to be a computer expert to be successful in online learning. However, there are some basic technical skills you should have mastered prior to enrolling in an online course.

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Profile of a Successful Student

Part 2

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ork Together. There are a number of ways that you can ensure you get the most out of your educational experience. First, participate fully. Engage regularly in the discussions and be willing to share your personal, professional and educational experiences. You can get to know your classmates through dialogue that is created in a course environment – sometimes even better than a face-to-face class. And the same goes for your instructor. Be sure to contact your professor – especially if you are having problems. He/she is still your instructor and will be there to guide and assist you as needed.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

     

Student Success Statement

“It’s not WHERE you live but HOW you live that counts. It’s not where you play the game but HOW you play the game that counts”
Mr. Haymore

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o matter where you’re from, you will always play the same way, so it doesn’t matter whether you play the game well or not, it’s how much effort you put into it, and how much fun you have doing it.

Profile of a Successful Student

Part 1

http: www.plymouth.edu office online-education online-learning profile-of-a-successful-student

A successful student...

… takes responsibility for his/her own learning

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nline learning can be a powerful, stimulating, engaging experience for the student who can work and think independently. However, since most - if not all - of the learning takes place on your own time, you will not have the kind of direct supervision you would in a classroom. Online learning therefore requires a significant commitment from you. All education comes down to what you’re willing to invest in the experience – this is particularly true in the online environment. Commitment, self-discipline and self-motivation are all key qualities to ensuring success in an online course!

… is comfortable and confident with written communication

Reading and writing are the basis of most online courses, so it’s critical that you feel comfortable with this form of communication. While some courses contain modules that include videos or other activities, all of them require significant amounts of reading. And nearly all of your communication with your classmates and your instructor will be in writing. If these are weak areas for you, you will want to address those issues prior to enrolling or while enrolled in an online course. The PSU Writing Center is available to assist you.

… is willing to be a member of a learning community.

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Student Success Statement

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”

-Henry David Thoreau

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oing what is right...is never wrong. When you do what is right, then you will only receive good rewards and not harsh punishments like the one you would receive for choosing the wrong. So no matter what you do, no matter what it is, as long as it’s right, then you will be rewarded…

Successful Students

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10. Successful students are good time managers. Successful students do not procrastinate. They have learned that time control is life control and have consciously chosen to be in control of their life.

 

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n elemental truth: you will either control time or be controlled by it! It’s your choice you can lead or be led, establish control or relinquish control, steer your own course or follow others. Failure to take control of their own time is probably the no. 1 study skills problem for college students. It ultimately causes many students to become non-students! Procrastinators are good excuse-makers. Don’t make academics harder on yourself than it has to be. Stop procrastinating. And don’t wait until tomorrow to do it!

The 10 items listed above are paraphrased from the article by Larry M Ludewig called Ten Commandments for Effective Study Skills which appeared in The Teaching Professor, December, 1992.

“Learning Technologies and Online Education”

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