50+ Qualities of a Good Student (According to Experts)

Being a good student is no easy task. It can be challenging to meet the demands of school and all its associated activities, especially with the frenzied lifestyle most of us lead.

But what does it truly mean to be a good student? Is there a specific quality that all successful students share?

According to experts, here are the qualities of a good student:

All good students are not born; some are developed and nurtured. This goes against the grain of popular thinking that sees intellectual ability as inherent. Intellect can be developed but is not often acknowledged or nurtured in US education. 

Those who arrive at answers quickly are often rewarded, and the concept of struggle isn’t viewed as an opportunity for learning. From my experience teaching both secondary and post-secondary students, I’ve found a few qualities all good students have in common.

Good students are persistent

Knowing that intellectual growth comes with uncertainty and challenge means students are better able to persist when they face difficulty. Persistent students do not shy away from challenging ideas/topics/concepts and view them as part of the learning process. 

An initial lack of understanding is not an indictment on their intellect; it is recognized as the need to work differently to understand and potentially master a concept. 

As associate director for a university summer bridge program, I found students who got the most from experience were those who had a bit of difficulty in high school. 

Although the program targeted students whose high school record suggested post-secondary challenge — based on standardized test scores — the ones with higher GPAs did not put in the same effort as those who shared in the interview process that their first year or two of high school was a struggle.

Good students are resilient

At some point in their (academic) life, every student will face what feels like an insurmountable challenge, not do as well as they would like, or have a bad academic experience. 

Good students don’t harp on not doing well 

They go back and review the tape, then do what they can to do and be better. In other words, they learn the lesson, bounce back, and keep moving forward.

Good students are committed

Being a good student requires staying the course in the face of distraction and seeing tasks through. Good students study with minimal distractions and put their work before leisurely activities. They also dedicate time to studying, and putting in study time is required, not optional.

Good students are receptive

Leaving ego at the door and being okay with imperfection allows the type of vulnerability necessary for success. Good students view their “mistakes” as growth opportunities and are open to feedback and/or guidance from others, be they peers, teachers, mentors, tutors, or parents. 

Good students are inquisitive

The cherry on top for any educator is the students who are really interested in learning. Many good students do the work that is required of them, but it doesn’t always go beyond that. A really good, no great student wants to know more. 

They ask themselves “What if” and seek the answer, not just to check a box of completion but for the sake of learning alone.

The qualities of good students aren’t elusive or part of an intellectual and developmental lottery. The way students show up in school will undoubtedly influence how they show up in the world. 

Developing more good students is the result of a collective effort to shift away from always being “right” to other factors that set our students up for true success beyond the classroom.

Having the qualities of a good student can be key to achieving success in the classroom and beyond. Learning is an integral part of a student’s academic journey, and the qualities that they possess can have a huge impact on their ability to learn and grow. 

Positive student qualities such as having an open mind, the ability to listen, a willingness to learn, and persistence promote learning and set students up for success.

They are open-minded

Being open-minded is an essential quality of a good student because it allows them to explore and learn new ideas, concepts, and perspectives. 

Having an open mind enables elementary students to think critically and to be more flexible and adaptable when faced with new challenges. 

By being open-minded, students are better able to evaluate different solutions to problems and consider a variety of solutions that may lead to more creative outcomes.

Cultivating an open mind allows students to become more curious, engaged learners that are better prepared for life beyond the classroom.

They have the ability to listen

Having the ability to listen is a crucial quality for any student. The ability to listen can help students better understand and retain the information they are being taught, which is an essential part of learning. 

When students actively listen to their teachers, they’re more likely to remember and comprehend the lesson, as well as ask questions that can further their understanding.

Good listening skills also help foster communication between students and teachers, creating a more positive learning environment.

The ability to listen promotes better comprehension of the material, encourages collaboration and communication, and facilitates problem-solving skills.

Related: 50+ Reasons Why Listening Is Important

They have the willingness to learn

A willingness to learn is essential for any elementary student to reach their full potential. 

A student’s eagerness to take in new knowledge and skills is the foundation of all learning. It drives curiosity, inquiry, and problem-solving — all invaluable components of academic success. 

A willingness to learn also enables students to ask questions, make mistakes, and think critically. This helps them become resilient and creative thinkers who can work through challenges independently.

By fostering a love of learning from an early age, teachers can help students cultivate the skills necessary for success both inside and outside of the classroom.

They are persistent

From elementary school to college, persistence is an excellent quality for any student. This quality helps students become successful by providing them with the drive and determination to keep going even in the face of adversity. 

Persistence can help students stay focused on their studies and remain motivated to finish projects and assignments. 

When a student perseveres in the face of difficulty or setback, they learn to problem solve, develop confidence, and gain valuable skills that can be applied throughout their lives. 

With persistence, students are able to stay on track to reach their goals and overcome any challenges they may face along the way.

It is important to recognize the many qualities that contribute to making a great student. Qualities such as having an open mind and being persistent, coupled with strong listening skills and the willingness to learn, all help ensure success in school and life. 

Students often hate me before we even meet since I’m the guy who teaches deeply unsexy topics: high school grammar, PhD-level statistics, and standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT. 

Students usually work with me only because they’re forced to take my course or because they need a particular score on a standardized exam. 

How do my students survive — or even thrive — when studying topics they prefer to avoid entirely? Honestly, my best students aren’t usually the most talented or intelligent. 

Instead, they share three traits: curiosity, introspection, and vulnerability.

Curious students are lovely; introspective students are even better

Even with unpleasant subjects like grammar or the GRE, genuinely curious students rise above the rest of the crowd, regardless of their background or abilities. 

Curious students find something that sparks a glimmer of passion and energy: maybe they start asking why grammar rules were invented, how a standardized test’s scoring algorithm works, or how statisticians derived complicated formulas long before computers existed. 

Without fail, those curious students outperform in the long run — even if they never wanted to take my class or study for a particular exam in the first place.

Even better: some students are curious and introspective about themselves, not just about an academic topic. When my best students struggle with a particular concept, they genuinely want to know what’s happening in their own brains. 

These students always improve more than their peers because they’re willing to take a good, hard look at their behavior, psychology, and thought patterns — even when it’s painful. 

The very best students are open and vulnerable

I’d argue that students of all ages have far more pressure on them than they did when I started teaching in the late 1990s. 

More often than not, when a student gets clobbered by a course or an exam, something “non-academic” — such as sleep deprivation, family struggles, or test anxiety — plays an outsized role.

It can be incredibly difficult to discuss personal matters with a teacher or tutor, but the best students I’ve ever worked with are entirely open about the underlying causes of their academic struggles. 

Regardless of what happens on their exams in the end, those students always learn and grow far more than their peers, often in ways that go far beyond the course material.

In other words: whenever a student is willing to be 100% open about who they are and why they struggle, they’re helping a teacher serve them better. When they do that, good things always happen.

Staying organized

Staying organized can be difficult. It’s very common for students to struggle with keeping their things in order, yet it’s one of the keys to success both in school and in life. 

Not only are there many obvious practical benefits to staying organized, but research consistently shows that people who stay organized do better in school and work. These people also tend to be happier and more productive. Luckily, staying organized isn’t as hard as it seems. 

Here are a few simple ideas that can help any student stay on top of their organization.

Keep your binders in tip-top shape

Have you ever found yourself rifling through your backpack, looking for the paper you need? If each subject or class has its own section in your binder, this problem disappears. Not only do subdividers help you find what you need quickly, but they also eliminate clutter in your backpack. 

In fact, our company and Staying Ahead of the Game, love using dividers and subdividers in our organization systems because it feels like each class has its own binder without having actually to carry around a separate binder for every class. 

This way, you never have to worry about having the correct papers for each class when you need them. 

Color-coding the subjects in your binder with custom-printed binder tabs can also be a great way to keep track of the work for your different subjects, cutting down “search time” and making you a more productive student or worker.

Pro tip: Did you know you can even color-code your folders in Google Drive (i.e., your e-binder) to match the color-coding system you have in your binder? Just right-click on the folder in Google Drive, and the option to color-code will appear.

Use an agenda to keep track of tasks and assessments

Even people with the best memories forget things. On any given school day, teachers give students short-term, medium-term, and long-term assignments in addition to the plethora of assessments and projects due that day. 

Trying to keep track of everything in your head often has disastrous consequences.

Instead, keep a planner and write your assessments down throughout the day. Outsource some of that memory work to your planner to create more space in your brain for more important tasks. 

That way, you only need to remember one thing look in your planner! 

If your school doesn’t provide a planner, don’t worry. They are cheap and easy to find. Just be sure to look for an academic planner rather than a yearly planner. These are meant for students and are easier to navigate in a school setting. 

For students in college or device-friendly schools, there are some great apps on both Apple and Android platforms to use for planning purposes. 

Planners also help you prioritize tasks by putting everything you have to do in one place, so you can order tasks by importance and urgency, helping you get ahead and stay ahead.

Make sure you have a backup for everything

“Always be prepared” isn’t just a mantra for boy scouts. It should be a first principle for any student looking to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. Always have a spare. This applies to everything, from pencils and pens to folders and notebooks. 

By preparing for the worst ahead of time, if something breaks or gets lost, you don’t waste time searching for a replacement. Knowing you’ve got backups at home and/or in your locker just in case not only provides peace of mind but it also eliminates an excuse for procrastinating.

Retire binders at the end of each semester

Keeping highly organized binders is crucial. However, as students matriculate into middle school and high school, their binders can get full very fast. 

Filing systems at home can be cumbersome and oftentimes lead to things getting lost or bent out of shape in the process. Consider retiring binders at the end of each semester. 

If the size and organization work, create new ones that are set up the exact same way for the new semester. Just instead of labeling it Fall Semester, label it Spring Semester. Dedicate a shelf in the house to keeping the older binders. 

As the years go by, you’ll feel proud of all that you’ve accomplished, and you’ll have quite the library of previous course material for you or your younger siblings to reference. Think of all of the social capital this one move creates. 

Be organized everywhere

Staying organized goes far beyond binders and planners. It’s also about keeping your desk, locker, drawers, and school supply cabinets in order at all times.

Ensure that you have enough materials in all of the places where they are required. 

For example, you may not need a calculator or hole-puncher for your locker and your backpack, and your desk. But it’s probably a good idea to have extra paper, pencils, pens, erasers, etc., in most of those places. 

Being prepared and organized turns potential “procrastination traps” into workflows that increase productivity. The more effort you put into these systems on the front end, the more time they will save later on. 

If you have siblings or share spaces with other people at home or at school, discuss organization expectations with them. Consider labeling a particular shelf, drawer, or cabinet as yours to maintain. 

Since it is all toward staying organized and maximizing performance, the people around you should respect your wishes. Learning how to have these conversations early in your school career will make the transition to living with a roommate in college much more fluid.

Keep a consistent schedule or routine

Another essential part of staying organized is sticking to a consistent schedule or routine whenever possible. Not only has having a routine been scientifically proven to be great for your health, but it is also a great way to increase productivity. 

Everything from homework and exercise to mealtimes to bedtimes is best when they happen on a set schedule.

An essential consideration when creating a consistent schedule is to make sure that there is enough time allotted for each activity. If you’re always in a rush, it’s difficult to feel organized and in control.

Figure out how much time it takes you to get ready in the mornings, and make sure you wake up with enough time to do everything you need to do at a comfortable, relaxed pace so you make it to class with time to spare. 

The same goes for the rest of the day. Intelligently designed routines translate to calm, productive days. The more rushed you are, the higher the risk of you making simple mistakes on tests and quizzes or forgetting an urgent task.

Consider doing some tasks before they become urgent. For example, if you are more of a night person than a morning person, make your life easier by stacking as much as you can in the evenings when you are more alert. 

You can do things like lay out your clothes for the next day and/or load your backpack in the car the night before instead of waiting for the morning. By doing this, you have one less thing to worry about in the morning. It’s a great way to get the next day started on the right foot.

Staying organized is an essential part of being successful as a student (and as a person), and it doesn’t have to be hard! Following these simple tips can help any student become more organized, more productive, and more relaxed throughout their academic career.

Strong executive functions

Academic success requires the skill and implementation of executive functions, which include planning, organization, prioritization, and execution. 

EF requires self-awareness of one’s own cognitive strengths and limitations and can adapt and tailor one’s learning approach to suit their learning style.

Time management skills

Students that know how to balance multiple responsibilities and effectively manage their time have a good chance of succeeding at school. These students prioritize tasks, use their time efficiently, and avoid procrastination. 

They can balance their academic and personal life effectively and don’t let one affect the other.

Related: 65+ Time Management Tips for Students

Has strong study skills and habits

A good student has honed effective strategies for absorbing and retaining new information. They are proficient in techniques such as active reading and note-taking and use tools such as flashcards to aid memorization. 

Additionally, they recognize that practice and repetition are crucial for solidifying new knowledge and skills and are willing to seek additional support when needed to strengthen their understanding.

Can manage deadlines

Being well-organized and able to manage assignments, deadlines, and materials effectively is a critical skill all students need for success. 

Keeping track of tasks and due dates and being proactive in planning ahead makes it easier for the successful student to stay on top of responsibilities and be on time with assignments.

Practicing effective note-taking

Note-taking, whether during a class lecture or when reading, is an essential skill for students because it helps them to actively engage with the material they are learning, which leads to remembering and understanding it better. 

Key skills in note-taking require the ability to understand high-level ideas and supporting details.

Has motivation

Motivation is a key factor in the success of a student, as it drives the student to set goals, pursue them, and stay engaged in their work. 

It is the foundation for a student’s willingness to take action and make sacrifices toward achieving their academic goals. Without motivation, a student may find it difficult to persevere through challenges and setbacks, and may ultimately struggle to achieve their academic goals.

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy is an essential skill for students, as it enables them to communicate their needs and speak up for themselves in academic settings. 

It allows a student to identify their strengths and limitations and takes charge of their own learning. By being an effective self-advocate, a student can build relationships with teachers and other students, navigate the educational system and make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

They have a passion for reading, writing, and problem solving

Students with a passion for reading, writing, and problem-solving can more easily broaden their vocabulary and articulate concepts accurately and more effectively to others, increasing their communication skills.  

They are also more apt to enjoy the challenges of education. These challenges are the core of a growth mindset; with them, students get the opportunity to take risks, learn to fail, and figure out how to solve their problems.

They practice a growth mindset

The growth mindset believes that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work — natural talent and intelligence are just starting points. 

Students with a growth mindset understand that what may seem like an insurmountable challenge can be achieved with dedication, and they learn from those around them. Their mantra is that I cannot do this yet, but I will improve. 

They develop positive relationships with others

Strong relationships give students a strong foundation for engagement, belonging, and learning. The more high-quality relationships students have with their peers and instructors, the better their engagement in their education. 

These students are secure and proud of who they are. They help their peers feel included and strive to work things out with their friends.

They work to build a joyful community  

Students who work to build a joyful community help themselves and their peers see the classroom as a safe, caring environment that provides support. These students learn from their peers and celebrate their peers’ accomplishments. 

This strong community will increase trust in taking academic risks, decrease behavior issues and create a sense of ownership of their education.

They advocate for their needs

The final quality that an exceptional student possesses is the ability to advocate for their needs. They speak up for themselves if they have an issue and know whom to ask for help. 

Self-advocacy creates confidence, independence, and self-sufficiency in students and empowers them to find solutions to their problems that others may not think of. Learning self-advocacy provides students with a life skill that will prepare them to navigate life long after graduation. 

Most of the students I work with are high-achieving teens, and there are definitely some whom I consider to be excellent students.

Here are the traits of the best, most successful students I work with:

They keep lists of what needs to be done

The students who are organized, who keep lists of what needs to be done and then make sure they are completed, are always ahead of the others who are rushing to make deadlines at the last moment. 

The quality of work is better, and they are less stressed because they are typical “early” to complete their tasks.

Disciplined and focused 

It’s so easy and tempting to be distracted by a text from a friend or by a popular social media post, but the best students know how to block out distractions. 

They may shut their phone off for an hour, work diligently, and then take a quick break to check messages. Or they may limit their phone usage to certain hours of the day. It takes discipline, but teens who have mastered time-management skills are more likely to succeed.

Persistence or grit

Everybody faces setbacks and obstacles, but sometimes students don’t have the coping skills to move forward. It’s important to learn how to push past failures, perhaps finding innovative ways to combat the issues they’re facing.

Good manners or etiquette

Somebody can be a good student but not interact in an appropriate manner. Students should thank teachers/peers for any help they provide, should respond to emails, and show appreciation. 

This is sometimes forgotten in the attempt to be a “perfect” student, but good behavior, and paying it forward by helping others, are admirable traits to possess!

Being a good student in 2023 means more than just spending all day in the library and getting straight-A grades. As the world rapidly advances in an age of globalization, digitalization, and climate crisis, good students are more conscious, connected, and committed than ever. 

Here, we look at just some of the qualities of a good student today.

Aware of the various political challenges they’re facing

In an age of increasing politicization of, well, just about everything, it is more vital than ever that students are both aware of the various political challenges we’re facing and also actively engage in solving them.

Whether it’s the climate crisis, human rights concerns or international conflicts, one of the most essential qualities of a successful student in 2023 is a willingness to confront the things they see as unjust and intolerable.

Just look at international figures such as Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg – from supporting strikes and protests to fundraising for causes close to their hearts and writing to local authority figures to inform them of important issues, good students are actively working for change.

How important are international connections?

Good students today will be connected in a way that wasn’t possible 50 years ago. 

Our young people have only ever known a world of constant communication across borders, from news stories televised around the globe to mobile phones and, of course, the internet; we now have access to the international community in a previously unthinkable way.

This virtual access to the world also broadens opportunities to build international networks in person — from Oxford Summer Schools in the UK to subject-specific student conferences across the globe. 

Being a good student means engaging with the experiences of others from all over the globe and using this knowledge to build a better future.

Good students balance their commitments

With a drive to solve global problems, an international network to support them, and access to all of the human knowledge via the internet, it’s valid to ask how good students today manage to balance everything while still maintaining their own well-being.

The answer is that good students today are more aware of their own boundaries and mental health. They are able to tap support networks and take time out in order to return to their work more refreshed than ever.

It’s this combination of skills, engagement, and self-care that sets good students today apart from earlier generations, and we’re sure to reap the rewards of this change in the years to come.

A good student is one who displays qualities that guarantee success in education and beyond. Good students possess strong work ethics, a desire to learn, focus, determination, and resilience. 

Has strong work ethics

Having a strong work ethic means that students can plan and organize their tasks accordingly and consistently work towards achieving their goals with focus and consistency. 

Has an insatiable curiosity for knowledge

A good student also has an insatiable curiosity for knowledge; they are willing to keep learning regardless of the subject or lack thereof. 

Has the ability to stay on track

Focus is paramount as it allows a student, despite the many distractions within their environment, the ability to stay on track with the completion of tasks within a given timeframe. 

Can remain focused on accomplishing their goals

Determination and resilience allow these students to continue working hard even when faced with challenges or setbacks, such as failure or not meeting expectations — they remain strongly focused on accomplishing their goals. 

All these qualities assure success both in school and far beyond graduation day.

As students progress through their academic journey, it is essential that they develop the qualities that make them stand out among their peers. 

These qualities are not only important for success in school, but they also play a vital role in the student’s personal and professional development. 

This is why they are important:

They are following instructions

When a student is able to follow instructions, it demonstrates that the student is responsible, reliable, and able to complete tasks as directed. 

Following instructions is essential for success in the classroom, as it allows students to understand and complete assignments, projects, and exams correctly. 

Again, when students follow instructions, they are less likely to make mistakes or misunderstand the task at hand.

They have a strong work ethic

A strong work ethic shows that you are dedicated to your studies and that you put in the necessary time and effort to succeed. 

It also means as a student, you understand that success in school requires hard work, and you are willing to put in the necessary hours to achieve your goal. With a strong work ethic, you have one good student character.

Being self-motivated

When you have that inner drive to learn, it shows you have a genuine interest in your studies and is excited to learn new things. 

You are able to challenge yourself to pay attention, learn the difficult things, and become a mastermind in the area. Being self-motivated drives you to succeed and helps you stay determined to achieve your goals.

Pay close attention on the task

Attentiveness is a critical quality of a good student. It refers to the ability to pay close attention and focus on the task at hand, whether it be listening to your tutors, reading a textbook, or completing a project. 

An attentive student is able to process and retain information more effectively as they are able to engage fully in the learning process. 

Additionally, being attentive also helps in the student’s daily life. It allows them to have better memory retention and thus helps them to complete their work in a more efficient manner and with few errors.

They ask questions

Asking questions is also an important quality of a good student. It shows that the student is actively engaged in their learning, curious about the subject matter, and interested in expanding their understanding. 

A curious mind or an inquiring mind can easily solve their problems because they can get help easily by asking questions. When you ask questions, it helps you clarify any confusion or misunderstanding you may have about the material being presented. 

It also encourages critical thinking and helps students develop their problem-solving skills. 

They always look for ways to improve themselves

Good students always look for ways to improve themselves and their understanding of the world. They don’t rest on their laurels, always looking for ways to add to their understanding. 

They are constantly seeking out new learning opportunities and are open to feedback and constructive criticism, which can help them better adjust and get them back on track.

Time management and organization

Good time management is a core part of what makes a good student. This allows them to make the most out of their learning and academics. 

This means using high-yield evidence-based studying techniques, effectively scheduling and prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and meeting deadlines. 

But additionally, time management also helps with other aspects of education, such as participating in sports and extracurriculars. Good time management allows for an overall well-rounded experience. 

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Good students have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which means they are able to analyze information, make logical and informed decisions, and develop solutions to problems. 

Perhaps most importantly, they are able to think creatively and outside the box, and they are comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. 

As you become more and more advanced as a student, there is a general move away from simply memorizing and recalling large amounts of material. 

Professors want you to work with the information from many angles. They want you to work with and directly apply that information to new scenarios and see that you have a deep understanding of it.

Always learning

Lastly, a good student is always learning. They actively seek out new information, learning resources, and opportunities to grow and develop. 

This allows them to stay current and competitive in their field and to be well-prepared for future opportunities. But beyond this, a good student is naturally curious and wants to learn.

As a tutor and test prep instructor, I work with a broad range of students on a daily basis, all with different strengths and weaknesses. Some are naturally bright, some are simply well-standardized test takers, some learn by doing, and others thoroughly study their way to good grades with long hours. 

Good students are the grinders

However, after all these years, I can say that the best students are the grinders. In my experience, it isn’t the brightest or most naturally talented students that perform well in class and on tests. 

It is those that gut it out with hours of studying. These students grind, hour after hour, doing homework and studying for exams. The reality is that most exams require students to memorize and then regurgitate large quantities of substantive information. 

Some tests do require the ability to think critically, make inferences, and solve based on logical deductions, but most simply require you to recall information stored away in your brain. 

That is where good old-fashioned hard work comes into play. Those naturally brilliant students can’t recall information they’ve never learned. 

Good students have grit

That is why it is my belief that the best quality a student can have is grit. Those who are dedicated and work their butt off win out far more often than naturally bright but underachieving and lazy individuals. 

I’ve tutored several students who, I kid you not, must have had IQs under 75. But they worked tirelessly just memorizing information and often outperformed naturally smarter peers.   

Thus, as much as it stinks to hear, the only path to becoming a truly good student is hard work. You need to study, study, study.

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