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Five resolutions to succeed in college

Many college students spent their winter break with friends and family, and are returning to campus more committed and energized. But far too many others are not. Unsuccessful students may be contemplating taking a break from school or dropping out altogether.

Academic ability, while important, is only part of the picture when it comes to being successful in college. Jasmine Stirling, chief marketing officer at InsideTrack, which offers technology-enabled student coaching services, suggests five resolutions to help any college student be more successful.

5. Be passionate

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The very best thing you can do to ensure your success in college is to clarify why you’re there and dedicate yourself to studying something that you’re passionate about. Set aside time each week in the first year of college to explore the right area of study for you and to understand potential career paths.

Our coaches often work with students to develop a methodical plan for making these critical decisions. They encourage students to sit in on classes that they might find interesting, set up opportunities to shadow people in careers they may not have considered, and speak with professors about their fields.

Many students are surprised at what they find, and are able to make changes about study and career paths early on, which would have been expensive, time-consuming, and risky for them to reverse later. Studies show that clarity of purpose and passion are the best indicators of success in college.

Jasmine Stirling is Chief Marketing Officer at InsideTrack, which offers technology-enabled student coaching services. InsideTrack increases college graduation rates by 15 percent at universities nationwide.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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