What's your secret to academic success?

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) celebrated the achievements of 435 of its most distinguished students at an Annual Honours Convocation recently.

The students were those on the Dean's List as well as those on the Chancellor's Distinguished List. To qualify for on the Dean's List, students must have achieved a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2005 semester or the Spring 2006 semester.

For on the Chancellor's Distinguished List, a student must have been named not only in the Fall 2005 Dean's List, but also in the Spring 2006 Dean's List and have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.

Notes spoke to some of the high achievers and got them to tell us the secret of their academic success.

Chancellor's Distinguished Student:
Name: Lamiyah Zulfiqar
Major: English Language and Literature
Year: Junior
What is the secret of your success in studies?
Secret of my success? Going to classes and paying attention. I think that's 90 per cent of the work down.
How far do you believe your academic success will help give you a headstart in life?
Academic success goes down well with employers because they are more likely to shortlist an applicant with a good academic record. But more importantly, it has made me a more confident person so I'm able to project myself better.


Chancellor's Distinguished Student:
Name: Salin Abbas
Major: Finance and Management
Minor: Economics and International Studies
Year: Senior
The secret of your academic success is …
Most of you will hate me for this... but attendance. I try not to miss any classes, since most of my learning takes place in class. If I focus and participate actively along with taking relevant notes, I find it very easy to study for exams, sometimes it is not even necessary to spend a lot of time studying, when you can recall class discussions. Plus for me, university is not just about academics. Being very active in extracurricular activities ensures that I am not bored with university, which indirectly helps me to focus better at academics.
How far do you believe your academic success will help give you a headstart in life?
I just believe it opens doors. Many people have told me that your GPA is not important, but I think a good GPA shows your commitment to academic life at university. Though I too think a perfect GPA without developing your overall personality does not get you far in life, a good GPA does open doors initially.


Chancellor's Distinguished Student:
Name: Samyuktha Shenoy
Major: Mass Communication (Public Relations),
Minor: Governmental Studies
Year: Junior
The secret of your academic success is …
I believe that hard work and a systematic approach to studies is the only way to go. Right from my school years, I have been advised that the harder you work, the luckier you get and that has been my guiding philosophy ever since!
Can academic success give you a headstart in life?
Academic success is a stepping stone to achieving any ambition in life. Grades are not the only indications of success, but working towards good grades and achieving them lays the foundation and builds confidence to fulfill all your dreams!


Chancellor's Distinguished Student:
Name: Shabbir Habil Shaikh
Major: Bachelors in Business Administration (Accounting and Management)
Year: Junior
The secret of your academic success is …
Secrets are not supposed to be told! Well, there is not any particular secret to my academic success. It is just that you need to concentrate on what is taught in your lectures and also prepare for the examinations beforehand.
Can academic success give you a headstart in life?
Secrets are not supposed to be told! Well, there is not any particular secret to my academic success. It is just that you need to concentrate on what is thought your lectures and also prepare for the examinations before hand.


Chancellor's Distinguished Student:
Name: Murtaza Nanji
Major: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing and Management)
Year: Junior
What is the secret of your academic success?
Nice question. I don't really know the answer but I think it is a combination of hard work, dedication, love for learning and my mom's prayers
Can your academic success help give you a headstart
in life?
I actually do not care about the grades that I get. But I do believe that academic learning helps you in your professional life. Specially for me, I want to start my own business and I really believe that whatever I am learning at college will help me in building my career.

— The writer is a business administration student at the American University of Sharjah.