Holistic Student Success Platform
persistence
College is not going to be easy. There will likely be many times when a course challenges you with concepts you’ve never encountered before. Managing a schedule that could include classes, work, and lots of other things will be a significant challenge. This is completely ok! Every student deals with these issues at one point or another.
What is vitally important is how you respond in those situations. Maintaining your effort and commitment to your goals will be an immense help, as will other factors discussed on this assessment (such as reaching out for help). While there are many resources that can help you in these difficult times, what’s most important is that you keep pushing forward toward your goals.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is to always try just one more time.
Thomas Edison
General Tips and Strategies to Improve Persistence
Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
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Reflect on setbacks to identify what went wrong and how you can improve.
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Seek feedback from professors, peers, or mentors to refine your approach.
Build a Support Network
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Surround yourself with supportive friends, classmates, and mentors who encourage perseverance.
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Join study groups or campus organizations that align with your academic and personal interests.
Practice Self-Care
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Get adequate sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly to maintain physical and mental stamina.
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Practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing to manage stress.
Persistence Resources at SIPI
Other Persistence Resources
Struggling to stay focused or bounce back from academic setbacks? Learning How to Learn is a free, self-paced online course that can help you become a more confident, effective, and persistent learner—no matter your major or background.
Adopting a meditation practice can help college students reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional well-being—making it easier to manage academic demands and maintain a healthy balance in daily life.
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You can start by reading this article to learn more about meditation, how it works, etc.
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The Free Mindfulness Project offers lots of free resources to help you build a practice.
Expressing gratitude can help college students improve their mental well-being, reduce stress, and increase resilience by shifting focus toward positive aspects of their lives. This simple habit has been linked to greater life satisfaction, improved relationships, and enhanced academic motivation. This article from Calm provides eight simple practices that can be used to help express gratitude.