Habits of a Successful Student:

• Acts responsibly: This student

– reads the documents (such as course outline) that are passed on by the instructor and acts on them.

– takes an active role in their education.

– does not cheat and encourages academic integrity in others.

 Sets goals: This student

– sets attainable goals based on specific information such as the academic calendar, academic advisor,
etc..

– is motivated to reach the goals.

– is committed to becoming successful.

– understands that their physical, mental, and emotional well-being influences how well they can
perform academically.

• Is reflective: This student

– understands that deep learning comes out of reflective activities.

– reflects on their learning by revisiting assignments, midterm exams, and quizzes and comparing them
against posted solutions.

– reflects why certain concepts and knowledge are more readily or less readily acquired.

– knows what they need to do by having analyzed their successes and their failures.

• Is inquisitive: This student

– is active in a course and asks questions that aid their learning and build their knowledge base.

– seeks out their instructor after a lecture and during office hours to clarify concepts and content and to
find out more about the subject area.

– shows an interest in their program of studies that drives them to do well.

• Can communicate: This student

– articulates questions.

– can speak about the subject matter of their courses, for example by explaining concepts to their
friends.

– takes good notes that pay attention to detail but still give a holistic picture.

– pays attention to how mathematics is written and attempts to use a similar style in their written work.
– pays attention to new terminology and uses it in their written and oral work.
• Enjoys learning: This student

– is passionate about their program of study.

– is able to cope with a course they don’t like because they see the bigger picture.

– is a student because they made a positive choice to be one.

– reviews study notes, textbooks, etc..

– works through assignments individually at first and way before the due date.

– does extra problems.

– reads course related material.

• Is resourceful: This student

– uses the resources made available by the course and instructor such as the Math Workshop, the
course container on WebCT, course websites, etc..

– researches how to get help in certain areas by visiting the instructor, or academic advisor, or other
support structures offered through the university.

– uses the library and internet thoughtfully and purposefully to find additional resources for a certain
area of study.

• Is organized: This student

– adopts a particular method for organizing class notes and extra material that aids their way of thinking
and learning.

• Manages his/her time effectively: This student

– is in control of their time.

– makes and follows a schedule that is more than a timetable of course. It includes study time, research
time, social time, sports time, etc..

• Is involved: This student

– is informed about their program of study and their courses and takes an active role in them.

– researches how to get help in certain areas by visiting the instructor, or academic advisor, or other
support structures offered through the university.

– joins a study group or uses the support that is being offered such as a Math Workshop (that
accompanies many first and second year math courses in the Department of Mathematics) or the
general SFU Student Learning Commons Workshops.

– sees the bigger picture and finds ways to be involved in more than just studies. This student looks for
volunteer opportunities, for example as a Teaching Assistant in one of the Mathematics Workshops or
with the MSU (Math Student Union).