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  1. Home
  2. Offices and Divisions
  3. Academic Affairs

Choices of Successful Students

Choices of Successful Students
Successful Students Struggling Students
Accept PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, seeing themselves as the primary cause of their outcomes and experiences. See themselves as victims, believing that what happens to them is determined primarily by external forces such as fate, luck, and powerful others.
Discover SELF MOTIVATION, finding purpose in their lives by discovering personally meaningful goals and dreams. Have difficulty sustaining motivation, often feeling depressed, frustrated, and/or resentful about a lack of direction in their lives.
Master SELF MANAGEMENT, consistently planning and taking purposeful actions in pursuit of their goals and dreams. Seldom identify specific actions needed to accomplish a desired outcome. And when they do, they tend to procrastinate.
Employ INTERDEPENDENCE, building mutually supportive relationships that help them achieve their goals and dreams (while helping others do the same). Are solitary, seldom requesting, even rejecting, offers of assistance from those who could help.
Gain SELF-AWARENESS, consciously employing behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes that keep them on course. Make important choices unconsciously, being directed by self-sabotaging habits and outdated life scripts.
Adopt LIFE-LONG LEARNING, finding valuable lessons and wisdom in nearly every experience they have. Resist learning new ideas and skills, viewing learning as fearful or boring rather than as mental play.
Develop EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, effectively managing their emotions in support of their goals and dreams. Live at the mercy of strong emotions such as anger, depression, anxiety, or a need for instant gratification.
BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, seeing themselves capable, lovable and unconditionally worthy human beings. Doubt their competence and personal value, feeling inadequate to create their personal outcomes and experiences.

From Skip Downing, On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life. Houghton Mifflin.

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Accessibility Statement

Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Penn State Altoona Health and Wellness Center at 814-949-5540 in advance of your participation or visit.

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See Also

  • Welcome Week
  • Transfer Student Orientation
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
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    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
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Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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