# data[].attributes.body
Coming in 1st place for what's most important to me is the Economic/Career Benefit. I chose this first because I've learned that this specific benefit can bring about a higher income and career satisfaction. This is truly my first focus! While becoming a millionaire isn't exactly my ultimate goal (though that would be nice!), I want to live comfortably while being financially stable. I also strive for career satisfaction. Having the satisfaction  of working a career will bring about fulfilment and a sense of purpose versus living the rest of my life feeling like I just have a dead-end job.

# data[].attributes.body
Though I really wanted this benefit to be my 1st most important rank, I am going to consider this a tie. My child is the most important person to me in all the universe. The skills that I obtain in this life will forever be past down to him in everything that I do. I resonate with this benefit because I know behind my own passion for higher learning, the odds of my child having that same passion will be greater because I applied myself. With that said, the odds of my child graduating from college will be greater and he will likely obtain a higher status and pay, just like his mama! Check out this informative article I found with statistics and research behind how children excelling in school starts with their parents higher education.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A study from the US Education Department National Center for Education Statistics has shown children whose parents attended college are much more likely to attend university (and graduate) themselves.

The study looked at first-generation college students in the US, following three groups of students from federal databases. The students began as high school sophomores in 2002, college freshmen in 2003 and graduates in 2007.

In Group One, at least one parent had a degree; Group Two had at least one parent who undertook (not necessarily successfully) some sort of higher education; whilst in Group Three, neither parent had any experience of college. Interestingly, the study found children were significantly influenced by what their parents had done.

NCES finds that students whose parents didn't go college are less likely to enroll in challenging high school courses. Your background isn't your destiny. In TN, we're working for all kids to have access to EPSOs. https://t.co/PPpEtIMK00 via @educationweek

- Casey Haugner Wrenn (@caseyhaugner) February 9, 2018

More students from Group One than any other group attended and completed college. They were also more likely to choose a public four-year university with only 26 percent of those choosing this path not having a parent who attended college. Just 7 percent of first-generation college students attended a private college compared to 23 percent of those with parents with degrees.

Students with college-educated parents were also more likely to graduate, which the study attributed to social and economic reasons. Students without a parent who attended college would not have a parent with first-hand experience to guide them through college. Additionally, they are more likely to come from a lower socioeconomic background, meaning less money to cover the costs of college so higher chances of dropping out due to financial restraints.

The Impact of Parents' #Education Levels https://t.co/Ze49zEH22z //First-generation college students are less likely to persist and #graduate than are children of college-educated parents. #HigherEd #studentsuccess pic.twitter.com/844zCopUSX

- EduCred Services (@EduCredServices) February 8, 2018

Just 14 percent of students with college-educated parents dropped out of college by the end of three years, however, around a third of first-generation students dropped out.

The study also found that at postgraduate level, parent's education credentials held little significance.

The likelihood of landing a job after college and how much graduates earn was also hardly affected by their parent's backgrounds. For first-generation graduates, 68 percent were working and not studying four years after gaining their bachelors, compared to 70 percent of their peers with college-educated parents, with only a US$500 average difference in their salaries.
Liked this? Then you'll love... Aussie student pens heartfelt 'thank you' to parents for achievement in uni entrance exams Too many parents still give their adult children money

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents' education levels affect children's likelihood to attend college - study

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A study from the US Education Department National Center for Education Statistics has shown children whose parents attended college are much more likely to attend university (and graduate) themselves. The study looked at first-generation college students in the US, following three groups of students from federal databases.

# data[].attributes.body
Emotional Benefit is my 3rd rank. I cannot express enough how this benefit in attending college has boosted my self confidence. Now, I wake up everyday with a positive mind aimed directly towards my achievement. I know long wake up with worry. My course assignments have been motivating and allow me to exercise my mind. Just like the body, the mind requires exercise as well. I don't know about you, but after I exercise, I feel good! The Introduction chapter highlights how college has emotional benefits by lowering levels of anxiety and provides a higher level of psychological well-being in mental health. The 1st positive thought I have when start an intense assignment is "I can do this!". Each assignment that I put my all in to is a stepping stone to good grades and builds a sort of  confidence that I require in order to apply positive energy in to future in life, work and my career. With that kind of positive mind state, I can confirm that there are definitely emotional benefits to going to college.

# data[].attributes.body
My 4th rank in college experience benefits is obtaining advanced intellectual skills. A key point that I took away from this benefit of having advanced intellectual skills is how college can provide a student with a clearer sense of self-identity, self-awareness and knowledge of personal talents, interests and values. This specific benefit is so important to me because in life, we need to experience things that will fuel our drive to succeed. If your ultimate motive is to excel so you can advance in a  career, you should start with a stable platform that you can build from. College is the perfect foundation to build your self awareness and highlight your personal talents so that you can excel in your future career. If you can find a way to benefit from advanced intellectual skills in school, you can carry that in to your future endeavors.

# data[].attributes.body
One key to effective citizenship that I found in the benefits of college experiences is the potential to have more of an interest in national issues - both social and political aspects. Though I haven't technically experienced this yet (in regards to my college life), the correlation between real life events and issues that will take place during my enrollment leads me to believe that this will eventually take place. I appreciate this benefit because I look forward to making a connection with it. On a personal level, I have already experienced the effectiveness of citizenship when it comes to my own personal ethics but I do know that one day, I will look up and experience a new moment. That day will be a day when I look up and say "I can totally understand this because I learned so much about it in college!".

# data[].attributes.body
My 6th rank on personal benefits of a college education is the social benefit. This perk is important to me when it comes to social confidence. I have always been a little shy when it comes to meeting new people. Being in college has taught me to be open to support. I may have questions for my professors or need guidance from my peers at some point. Having social confidence is necessary in order to gain feedback. The best way to grow and build relationships in school is to learn how to communicate effectively and not be afraid to do so!  Having the ability to build or be a part of a network in college can definitely follow you into your career. I found another great article that outlines why having social confidence in college is important.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tips and Resources to Improve Your Academic Success

College can be academically challenging, and oftentimes, whether students have a strong sense of confidence can determine how well they tackle these challenges. As a result, it's important for students to nurture a healthy sense of confidence in order to perform well in the classroom and get the most out of their college experience.

"Students with a healthy confidence take the opportunity to interact with professors in and outside of the classroom. This interaction is important for success in the particular class as well as in other areas," explains Joseph Croskey, director of the Advising Services Center at Clarion University.

"Confident students develop relationships with faculty that can lead to participation in research and other developmental activities," he says. "This leads further to possible future connections, letters of recommendation, internships, future work, or graduate school." Croskey goes on to say, "Confident students also mitigate negative consequences of stressful situations like testing or public speaking. They are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities, which can help them increase their emotional intelligence and leadership skills."

Building Confidence as a College Student

Although many college students may equate confidence with only personal benefits, like being able to meet new friends or start romantic relationships, having confidence also goes a long way toward enjoying many benefits in the classroom. Croskey explains the impact of confidence on academic performance this way:

"When students are confident, they are more likely to do the work required to achieve a positive outcome. For instance, if I have the belief that 'I can't do math,' then it is unlikely that I will spend the time needed to repeatedly practice math problems. A belief that the ability to learn is fixed, or that someone is 'naturally good' at some things and not others, is one mindset not particularly useful to good academic performance," he says. "When students are confident, they will act decisively to achieve the outcomes they envision and find ways to overcome the inevitable obstacles that arise. They will seek support to overcome those obstacles."

In addition, self-confidence can provide students with several qualities they need to be successful in school. According to Carol C. Kanar, author of "The Confident Student," some of these traits include being motivated, flexible, persistent, committed, empathetic and future-oriented.

Challenges to Building Academic Confidence

Students can face several challenges to their academic self-confidence throughout their educational careers, but some of these hurdles can be traced all the way back to their family life as a child.

"Low socioeconomic status and an unstable home life can have a tremendous effect on student confidence. These are very complex issues that plague many students," says Kendrick Kenney, program coordinator of the Digital Media Production Program at the Community College of Baltimore County and former full-time faculty member at Bowie State University. "However, confidence in these students can be built through comprehensive strategies. One is creating a balanced system that uses intrinsic and extrinsic motivational tactics. These tactics can promote a sense of team and community in a classroom setting."

Another threat to self-esteem is childhood trauma. Being physically, emotionally or sexually abused can create feelings of guilt and worthlessness that may translate to poor academic performance. In addition, these students may develop anxiety and depression, which can make it even more difficult for them to achieve in the classroom.

Similarly, students who are the victim of bullying may also develop feelings of self-loathing that decreases their confidence. They may also feel hopeless in their situation, especially if they don't get adequate support from their family or teachers, and these negative feelings may result in them disliking school altogether.

However, that doesn't automatically mean that students who are not bullied by peers fare any better in terms of developing confidence in themselves. A student's friend group can also cause a lack of confidence. Students who spend time with friends who tear them down, criticize them and pressure them to do things they don't want to do can also find their confidence erode in ways that are detrimental to their classroom performance.

Low self-confidence can also stem from factors outside of students' home or classroom experiences. For example, people may have their confidence threatened by the religion they practice if they feel they are unable to meet the standards set forth by their faith. This can result in self-loathing, guilt and shame, which can affect their performance inside and outside of the classroom. Also, the media can have a strong negative effect on self-confidence, especially when students are already struggling with their self-image. Regularly seeing ads that tell them they're not good enough for various reasons - from their skin to their clothes to their weight - can chip away at students' self-image and make them feel like they're inferior.

Tips to Build Your Academic Confidence

While there are experiences that can threaten students' confidence levels, that doesn't mean students can't do things to build their academic confidence now. The following are some strategies students can use to increase their confidence to help boost their college performance.
Reading
"Reading is number one and will always be number one in boosting confidence. Even as an adult, feeling well-read increases confidence going into almost any situation. This is no different for students," said Kenney. "Reading doesn't only make you feel more prepared, it creates a sense of achievement within itself. Starting a book and finishing it is similar to achieving a goal or successfully completing an academic assignment. That same sense of fulfillment carries over into the classroom."
Collecting Proof
All students typically experience success throughout their educational career, but if they're plagued with self-doubt, it may be difficult for those positive experiences to be at the forefront. By keeping a journal of all of their successes, students can easily access proof that they're capable of doing well in their courses.
Getting Feedback
Professors can have a huge influence on how students feel about their academic performance, so actively seeking out feedback from instructors can help them feel better about how they're doing. Feedback from professors can provide a clear picture of students' strengths, which can help them feel good about themselves. In addition, students can gain an understanding of areas that they need to improve, and as they tackle these weaknesses, they can build more confidence.
Framing
"Framing is a cognitive way people respond or react to a particular situation depending on how it is presented to them. A fond memory I had in college was from a really tough economics course. I already knew it would test my abilities going in. However, on the first day of class, the professor addressed us by saying, 'Everyone in this room has an A, and you have 16 weeks with me to maintain that A,'" Kenney says. "So rather than struggle through the course, I found it easier to maintain my A that I started the course with. I actually applied that technique to many courses thereafter. Now I realized he was simply providing his students with a sense of confidence. After all, it's easier to convince someone to maintain their position on top of the mountain than climb up from the bottom."
Preparing for Class
Whenever a teacher asks a question and students raise their hands because they know the answer, they're building confidence in their knowledge of the coursework. In order to do this, they need to make sure they are prepared for each and every class session so they know they'll never feel the embarrassment of being asked a question they don't have the answer to.
Increasing Self-Awareness
"Journaling is a useful way to write your way to confidence," Croskey says. "This can be assisted by visualizing yourself confidently in specific situations, creating personal affirmations and finding other ways to develop internal motivation and autonomy. Students can journal about their attitude towards college, towards instructors, towards the subject and towards themselves as a learner."
Brain Dumping
When students have doubts about whether or not they're actually learning their class material, they can do this exercise, which involves writing down everything they just learned on a piece of paper. This can help them actually see they have been learning. Also, committing what they know to paper can help students organize their thoughts in ways that help them understand complicated concepts and further increase their academic confidence.
Rewarding Good Grades
Whenever students get a good grade on an assignment or test, they can find ways to reward their achievements to help cement in their minds that they're capable of academic success. Whether students treat themselves to their favorite food, take a night off to veg out and watch television, or buy a new piece of clothing, these treats provide incentives to continue doing well.

Expert Q&A: How to Maintain Academic Confidence

To explore the importance of confidence for college students, we gathered the opinions of the following experts:

What is the relationship between confidence and academic performance? How can having confidence help students get good grades?

Kenney: Confidence is a measure of one's belief in one's own abilities, so naturally, many scholars and researchers agree that there is a correlation between academic achievement and confidence. There are a few main factors to point out. Confidence is a cognitive motivational process, meaning if a student sets a goal and feels like the goal is obtainable, they are more likely to accomplish it successfully. In an academic setting, confidence must be viewed as a muscle and has to be practiced and reinforced.

What is healthy confidence? How does healthy confidence manifest itself among students?

Croskey: A positive self-confidence is useful towards achieving optimal outcomes in a variety of settings. Research has found that self-efficacy and confidence, or the belief in one's capabilities to organize and successfully complete a task, are tied in important ways to a student's academic identity, aspirations, motivation, achievement and ultimately persistence. Healthy self-confidence has a powerful role in a student's proclivity and ability to succeed. Students possessing strong self-efficacy can learn to develop positive learning habits, such as deeper thinking and more willingness to take on challenging tasks.

Kenney: Healthy confidence is when students not only believe in themselves, but they believe in the educational process. When students are confident in themselves, as well as their classroom environment, even when they face an obstacle, they will be more determined to fill in the learning gaps that every student will face at some point during their educational journey.

What is unhealthy confidence? What are the consequences of having unhealthy confidence?

Kenney: Many times, self-esteem can be confused with confidence when, in fact, there are certain self-esteem characteristics that can lead to unhealthy confidence. Things like arrogance and narcissism could lead to classroom roadblocks.

Croskey: First, let's address a lack of confidence. Lack of confidence is connected to self-protective avoidance strategies that prevent full commitment and lead to attrition and poor performance. Other types of unhealthy confidence can lead to narcissistic behaviors. This desperate need to defend a grandiose self-image can lead to aggression, low grades and poor adaptation to college.

What are some things that threaten students' confidence? How can these problems be remedied?

Croskey: There are a host of external factors that can threaten students' confidence. For example, parental influence and teachers and counselors can influence the students' academic identity. In addition, dominant cultural narratives and consistently low expectations of certain groups of students, like students from low socioeconomic backgrounds or students of color, can impact confidence. Stereotype threat is a problem, but it can be remedied.

What help can students get from their school if they're struggling with academic confidence?

Croskey: Schools can provide several services to assist students. Services include academic skill building courses, workshops, and/or courses and workshops that teach students about the university and services available. Many schools offer inquiry seminars or first- and second-year experience courses. Schools also offer tutoring, peer mentors, counseling, living learning communities and more to support students. Students can search for academic support departments dedicated to student success. They can contact their professor, advisor, community/resident assistant or other staff on campus to find the appropriate support. There are workshops addressing effective time management, stress management, self-efficacy, metacognition, the difference between studying and learning, and other issues to support students.

In smaller, more intimate class settings, how can students combat the self-doubt they may feel when interacting with other students?

Kenney: Small classrooms can be intimidating. However, overall, they provide great benefit. Even the student who suffers from self-doubt will simply be in a better position to combat these feelings in a small classroom setting because of a few factors. Smaller classrooms allow the teacher to tailor lessons to student learning styles. It also allows the teacher to have more one-on-one contact with the student. Lastly, it allows immediate feedback and more reteaching opportunities. These are critical because it's all about filling the academic gaps. For example, I may struggle on a unit that my peers do not, and the teacher will have more time to help me fill in the gaps. In turn, I will catch up. In the next unit, my classmate may struggle and require extra attention to catch up. In the end, everyone gets an opportunity to fill in the gaps. The final step is to create peer learning groups so not only am I working with the teacher, I can help my classmate fill in gaps and they are able to do the same for me, which builds confidence for both students.

Croskey: One first step to take when feeling anxious is to take a deep breath or three (count to 10 or 50 if necessary). Pausing to breathe deeply activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. They can get to know other students in the class by interacting with them on a one-to-one basis.

Getting Help on Campus

Students who need extra help building their confidence can find several resources on campus to help them feel better about their academic performance. Below are examples of some places where college students may be able to get assistance.

Additional Resources

"10 Affirmations to Boost Your Self-Esteem" from mindbodygreenThis article has daily affirmations that people can do to feel better about themselves.

"10 Sources of Low Self-Esteem" from Psychology TodayThis article discusses the reasons why people develop low self-esteem.

"15 Ways to Boost Your Confidence at College" from U.S. News & World ReportThis article provides practical tips to help students build their academic confidence.

18 Self-Esteem Worksheets and Activities for Teens and Adults - Positive Psychology ProgramThis resource includes exercises to help college students build their self-esteem.

31 Gratitude Exercises That Will Boost Your Happiness - Positive Psychology ProgramThese exercises explain why gratitude is an important part of building confidence and guide users through how to do this.

Build Confidence AppThis app from HiveBrain Software includes a guided meditation that users can listen to as they fall asleep in order to build their confidence and improve their general outlook on life.

Build Self-Esteem Hypnosis AppThis app from Surf City Apps, LLC is designed to help users eliminate their negative self-talk by playing positive affirmations as they sleep. Also, users can play nature sounds or calming background music to help them relax.

Building Self-Confidence - Stress Management Skills from Mind ToolsThis resource provides information on what confidence means, what behaviors illustrate self-confidence and how self-confidence can be developed.

Building Self-Esteem: A Self-Help Guide from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationThis booklet includes strategies for building confidence, reducing negative self-talk and increasing positive feelings.

Cognitive Diary CBT Self-HelpExcel At Life designed this app to help users challenge the negative thoughts that can lead to poor self-confidence as well as depression and anxiety.

"Build Your Self-Esteem with These 3 Simple Exercises" from Psychology TodayThis article highlights exercises that people can do in order to improve their self-esteem.

"Building Confidence and Self-Esteem" from Psychology TodayThis article includes 17 simple ways that people can boost their confidence.

Gratitude Journal: 67 Templates, Ideas, and Apps for Your Diary - Positive Psychology ProgramThis resource includes information on the importance of keeping a gratitude journal and strategies on how to start and maintain one.

Personal SWOT Analysis - Career Planning from Mind ToolsThis tool helps readers evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, identify threats to confidence and leverage opportunities to build confidence.

Happier AppThis app from Happier, Inc. provides resources to help users feel better throughout their day. People using this application can read inspiring quotes, create a gratitude journal, participate in daily meditation, learn from expert videos and connect with other users on the app.

ThinkUp AppUsers of this app from ThinkUp can select and record affirmations that they can listen to on a daily basis. Also, users can choose soothing music to listen to as they meditate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Building Confidence as a College Student | Affordable Colleges Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
College can be academically challenging, and oftentimes, whether students have a strong sense of confidence can determine how well they tackle these challenges. As a result, it's important for students to nurture a healthy sense of confidence in order to perform well in the classroom and get the most out of their college experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Last but not least, the physical health benefit of being in college that resonates with me is that it can aid in living a longer and heathier life. I have found that the deeper I dive in to my college education, the more I want to discover new things. In the process, I have also found that my sleep habits have changed (for the better!) and I wake up feeling ready to take on the world. I eat a healthier breakfast that is light yet naturists and I no longer become tired too quickly from a full stomach. I am drinking way more water and staying hydrated which helps me to stay alert and I am also taking walks when I feel like my mind is getting too cluttered. Overall, I want my college education to mirror healthy habits so that I can feel a sense of balance between the two. The graph below highlights an example in the importance of good health to those who have a higher level of education. While this is posted as my 7th and last rank, I do believe all of my ranks should be considered in a circular for to prove that they all continue as a cycle instead of most important to least.  Thank you for reading!