Gen 200 - Personal Responsibility - Personal Responsibility and College Success

Personal Responsibility and College Success

Tamara Minnock

GEN200

December 3, 2012

Erin Maloney

Personal Responsibility and College Success

What is personal responsibility? It is different for everyone. A student who is not married or without children will have a different definition of what personal responsibility means to him or her. A person's every day needs helps to define and help figure out what is important to them. What is best for my family helps define my personal responsibility. My responsibility includes a home life full of teenagers and a husband, a full-time job, a part-time small business, and my goal of earning a bachelor's of science degree.

By succeeding in my goal of earning a degree, I will be able to grow both professionally and personally. Professionally, a bachelor's degree will help further my career by making me eligible for a higher series position. The positions that are of interest have certain educational requirements. A better paying job will help personally, also. I would be able to provide my family with not only our finances but also pride in my achievements. By succeeding in college, I can teach my son that goals are attainable. Since I was a young teenager, my goal has been to earn a bachelor's degree in business management. Personal responsibility is the way of achieving my goals and demonstrating in being a good role model for my son and the other teenagers that look up to me.

Developing valuable time management, using my principles and school resources, and maintaining a balance in life are important tools and strategies used in maintaining my personal responsibility. Time management allows me to obligate enough energy to fulfill college, work, and life deadlines. College resources and personal principles are important tools in building a successful platform for success in school. Financial, health, and life balance can aid in accomplishing personal responsibility.

Maintaining balance with finances, health, and life are important factors in achieving my goals. According to Becoming a Master Student (2011) "There are three main steps in money management: First, tell the truth about how much money you have and how much you spend (discovery). Second, commit to spend less than you have (intention). Finally, apply suggestions for earning money, spending less, or both (action)." (Ellis, 2011, p. 295) By establishing a healthy financial background and plan for paying for the college terms, I can concentrate on homework, not on the bills. Living a healthy lifestyle will give fuel for my body and mind. Eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and less fat will give me more energy for college, home, work, and family. Exercising and good sleep habits ensure that I can accomplish more while not feeling exhausted. While keeping our finances and body healthy, I can better sustain my goals. All of these suggestions will help me to maintain a balanced life while going to college.

Other plans that keep help my college goals in reach are to use the school's resources, services, and certain principles. According to Student Success in College: Creating Conditions that Matter, following the "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education which include student-faculty contact, cooperation among students, active learning, prompt feedback, time on task, high expectations, and respect for diverse talents and ways of learning" (Kuh, Kinzie, Schuh, & Whitt, 2005, p. 8) will help succeeding in my education. The principles also represent what it takes to complete an online class at the University of Phoenix, which has a unique style of learning. The collaborative style of learning, teams with the diverse students, and time