Becoming a Master Student

Henry Woods ACA-118-87

What is your definition of a “Master Student”? Is it determined by the success the student encounters during educational years or the success they may have after they have achieved their educational goals?

I’ve often wondered what the definition of master student was. The dictionary definition of mastery is expert skill or knowledge, can we simply just say that a master student possesses expert skills or knowledge or does the definition run much deeper than that. When I first began this course I had no conception of what a master student was.

Had I been asked during the first week of class what the definition of a master student was, I probably would have said someone who maintains a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Yet at this point I’ve come to realize that for me the elements I feel vital to becoming a master student are, time management skills, critical thinking, and being a visionary.

First, developing strong time management skills is the first essential step in becoming a master student. Although I was able to maintain a strong GPA, I still had no conception of how important it is to develop strong time management skills. Like most first time college students I’ve often found myself waiting till the last minute to complete task. This course has allowed me to develop the skills I needed to implement a constructive time management plan. In doing so I’m able to meet my academic commitments, spend time with my family, and be an active member of my community. Developing strong time management skills has allowed me to find balance in my life, and make that first step to becoming a master student.

Critical thinking plays a major role towards becoming a master student; good critical thinkers can find a balance in the academic world, work force, and in their personal lives. Many college students enter college with very few critical thinking skills. During this past summer I realized how important critical thinking was not only in relation to the...