Becoming a Successful Student:
Creating a Backup Plan
I-BEST
by Maureen Stewart M.Ed
Do you make too many excuses?
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How many times in the last month (week, day) have
you heard yourself say one or more of these things?
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I couldn’t turn in my homework this morning
because…
I couldn’t come to class yesterday because…
I didn’t do the reading because…
I was late today because…
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If you have said one these phrases more than once
or twice in the last quarter- then you may make too
many excuses.
Do you make too many excuses?
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Consider the students below:
Student A: Always comes to class on time, turns in
all assignments and asks questions when she
doesn’t understand something.
Student B: Sometimes is absent or late to class, is
missing a couple of assignments, and rarely asks
questions to the teacher.
Both students missed class today because their car
broke down. Which student do you think the teacher
will be more forgiving toward? Why do you think
this?
Do you make too many excuses?

Genuine emergencies do happen, but a
student who shows professionalism and
responsibility in the classroom will be in a
better position to negotiate than a student
who has not demonstrated these skills.
Creating a backup plan! On your
worksheet:
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All college students have to find a balance between
school responsibilities and the responsibilities of a
family, a job (or maybe 2 jobs!), and limited income.
Sometimes problems can happen while trying to
keep this balance. The difference between a
successful student and an unsuccessful student is
that the successful student has a plan for dealing
with problems when they arise.
Planning in advance can save you from a lot of
stress.
Creating a backup plan! On your
worksheet:

On your worksheet are several situations (scenarios)
that may happen during your time as a student.

With your group, discuss a plan for each scenario that
describes how you will avoid being absent or late
from class or turning in assignments late. There is no
one correct answer. There are many ways to solve each
of these problems. Think of as many as you can, and
write the ideas on your paper.
Creating a backup plan! On your
worksheet:

1. You child’s school calls and says your daughter is sick
and needs to be picked up. You don’t want to miss class,
what can you do now? How can you prepare just in case
this happens again in the future.

2. You have a car that breaks down (stops working) on
your way to class. You don’t want to miss class, what
can you do now? How can you prepare just in case this
happens again in the future.
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3. Your computer and/or printer stops working the night
before your assignment is due. You don’t want to turn
your assignment in late, what can you do now? How can
you prepare just in case this happens again in the future.
Solutions: How did you solve these
problems?