The document discusses defining success in college. It argues that narrowly defining success as only getting good grades is too limited and doesn't account for individual circumstances and struggles. Instead, it promotes having a flexible definition of success tailored to each individual class and semester that can change in response to changing priorities and life events. The document also discusses thriving, not just succeeding, by being fully engaged intellectually, emotionally, and socially through connecting to campus community, treating others well, having needs met, and feeling safe. It includes reflection activities to help students identify their goals, strengths, and how their strengths can help them reach their goals in order to define success and thrive in college.

1. Defining Success in College

2. What is the definition of
success?

4. What's wrong with this
definition?

5. Technically nothing, but...
• It is a very narrow definition
• It mostly focuses on big accomplishments
• It doesn't consider outside influences or struggles in a
person's life
• It's very generic!

6. Why don't we use a "successful"
person's definition of success?

7. Why don't we use a "successful"
person's definition of success?
• It is only specific to their life
• "Survivor Bias" may be at play
• It can make us feel worse if we don't meet all the
qualifications of their success

8. • There are always exceptions!
• Be critical of the advice that
you’re taking in
• Keep in mind that a lot of
celebrities/successful people
were able to achieve success
because of access to resources
that not everyone has
• Find role models and definitions
of success that are inspiring, but
also relevant to your life

9. How does all of this apply to
college?
• Each semester we need to evaluate what success looks like
for the classes we are taking
• Getting an A isn't always the best definition of success
• Success in one class may be very different than success in
another: we must reevaluate our definition of success for
each new challenge

10. Why should your definition of
success be flexible?
• Life happens: You might need to adapt
your expectations to fit changing priorities
• Studies have shown that student's needs
and priorities change over the course of
their degree
• Source: "What Would Make This a Successful Year for You?" How
Students Define Success in College by Nancy Jennings et. Al.

11. Defining success under pressure:
an example
• A professor assigns a 10-page paper due at the end of the
week
• You have several other large assignments due that week as
well
• How do you manage/adapt your definition of success to still
feel good in your class?

12. The Threshold Approach
• Decide the minimum grade that you're comfortable receiving
• Understand the work required to get to that grade
• Complete that amount of work
• Reevaluate and decided if you have the bandwidth to put in
the time required to get to a higher grade
• NOTE: This is not something you should do for every
assignment/project.

13. DON'T JUST SUCCEED.
THRIVE.
Students thrive when
they recognize and use
their strengths.
DEFINING SUCCESS THROUGH THE
SEMESTER?
LET'S CHANGE THE
FOCUS.

14. THRIVING:
BEING FULLY ENGAGED...
Interested and challenged by
coursework
Studies are aligned with long-
term goals
Intellectually Emotionally
Socially

15. THRIVING:
BEING FULLY ENGAGED...
• Interested and challenged by
coursework
• Studies are aligned with long-
term goals
Intellectually Emotionally
Socially
• Connected, loosely or closely, to
community on campus
• Treated with respect, and
treating others with respect

16. THRIVING:
BEING FULLY ENGAGED...
• Interested and challenged by
coursework
• Studies are aligned with long-
term goals
Intellectually Emotionally
Socially
• Connected, loosely or closely, to
community on campus
• Treated with respect, and
treating others with respect
• Student's needs – including
physical needs like food and
sleep – are met.
• Student feels safe in campus
community

17. REFLECTION ACTIVITY! Part 1/3
• What goals are you working towards?
• What will make you feel accomplished?

18. What are your top 5 strengths?
Part 2/3
• Make a list!
• You will share your reflections with your classmates.

19. How do your top 5 strengths equip
you to reach your goals? Part 3/3
• Share in groups of 3

20. Take Away
• Define success in your terms
• Allow for flexibility
• Don't panic if your definition changes
• Succeed in your tasks, but also consider how you can thrive at
the University of Idaho

21. So what is your definition of success?