How to Become a Successful University Student

This week we studed Benjamin Franklin in our literature class, and after I read his Autobiography, I learned much. I  think Franklin is a good model for us .if we want to succeed in university . maybe we should learn from him, so I wrote a composition to convey myopinion.

 University is usually considered as a place where young people can develop themselves in all possible ways so that they can be successful in their future life. Most students in university, however, have not really tasted success. How to succeed in university; it is a problem for most university students. However, the answer may be found in Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. As a giant of American history, Benjamin Franklin is famous for his great achievement in many fields arranging from politics, science to art. What is the key of his success? In his Autobiography, Franklin made an enumeration of moral virtues, which may account for his success, and some of them are of great significance and useful for a university student to develop themselves well. References to Franklin’s moral virtues, the following three aspects are instructive for university students to ensure success in university.

First, it is the most important for a university student to try hard to acquire knowledge and form a habit of diligence. University, first and foremost, is a place to learn knowledge. It is their duty for university students to try to learn both all the basic concepts and skills concerning their own professional fields and social and natural science in general. Furthermore, in the process of study, forming a habit of diligence is essential and of a long-term significance. In The Autobiography, it is called “Industry” , according Franklin’s view, which means that “Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions”(Franklin, The Autobiography). He pointed out how to save time, namely, value every second, and not to spend time on waste and insignificant things. This is as beneficial in study as in other works in future.

Besides, it is necessary for university students to spend time on self-cultivation. To cultivate themselves means to improve their personalities and possess all the positive characteristics. Franklin’s Autobiography is a code for self-cultivation. For example, in The Autobiography, Franklin gave an item “Temperance” and he stated that “eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation” (Franklin, The Autobiography). He indicated the importance of resistance to temptation, which is an important quality of a successful man. Moreover, “Resolution” is another important quality a university student should have. In Franklin’s view, “resolution meant to resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you reserve” (Franklin, The Autobiography). Like other outstanding historical figures, Franklin also emphasized the importance of insistence. As the saying goes, do not become cocky with success, nor discouraged by defeat. Failure is unavoidable for a person who pursues success. Only those who have the spirit of insistence can succeed in the end.

Lastly, developing the ability of communicating is another task for young people in universities. A man, as a component of society, can not live apart from communities. Knowledge is useful, but it is experience and interaction with others that can really bring them out. A student who knows a lot but pays little attention to the real society, especially people around him, can never been accepted in campus, even by society in future. Thus, a good interpersonal relationship is one of standards to measure the ability of a university student. Franklin’s beliefs may help those who are bothered by their bad interpersonal relationships. It is wise to do as Franklin says, “Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly”, and “Wrong none by doing injuries, omitting the benefits that are your duty” (Franklin, The Autobiography). First, keeping sincere and just and getting rid of prejudices is the access to gain others’ trust and respect; the next, being kind and selfless is a foundation stone for friendship. “Moderation” is another important frame of reference in communicating. Just like Franklin suggested, “avoid extreme; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve” (Franklin, The Autobiography). Franklin proposed to keep magnanimous when conflicting with others. It is really right because resenting only can bring injuries but forgiveness can give people forgiveness and friendship.

Therefore, making efforts to study knowledge, to cultivate themselves and to develop the ability of communicating is the gateway for a student to the success in university. About 200 years ago, when Benjamin Franklin made the list of these moral virtues, he was only an ordinary people, and he found it was difficult to practice them. However, he became a marked man with no mean achievement. That is the result of his practicing of the moral virtues. Deeds are better than words.

Benjamin Franklin is a good example for the young men all over the world, and his moral virtues and story will encourage them to go forward and arrive at moral perfection.

(from kayla 姜雪波)