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Personal Responsibility

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Personal Responsibility

Even though not everyone’s priorities are the same, it is about taking accountability for ones own behavior because managing ones emotions and actions is about treating yourself with respect. Webster’s dictionary defines personal as “Concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality; Ultimately, each individual is responsible for his or her behaviors’” and responsibility as “The social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force” (Webster’s Dictionary). In college personal responsibility could mean the difference between passing and failing courses. While some may try to externalize blame it all comes down to making individual choices because each person has to live with those choices.
There are several ways to help students take personal responsibility. Being personally responsible starts with some of the most basic needs. Without the proper amount of sleep individuals are much more susceptible to making choices that are not in their best interest. It affects mental health and impacts the ability to have clarity in decision-making. Another part of mental health is managing anything in life that could cause anxiety or depression. Many tools can help in managing these emotions like organization and setting goals. Organization takes away anxiety because there is a plan to help accomplish all of the tasks and goals. Prioritizing and planning out the day can eliminate stress because each step in the process can been seen. For example, if there is a paper for school that needs to be written as well as work, and a family party, organization and planning can eliminate the stress of worrying all day about how to fit everything in. Looking at the day planner and see that there is a time frame set aside for everything and worries are eliminated. When accomplishing the tasks put a check by each one and that helps to stay motivated, because there is proof of what is being accomplished, which is also helpful in taking care of mental health. Many students learn ways to become more organized and responsible. In a study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities several Campuses were surveyed and “Across all groups, significant numbers-but not a majority-of students and professionals alike think that students leave college having become stronger across various dimensions of personal and social responsibility during college” (Dey and Associates). Treating oneself with respect also has a lot to do with personal responsibility. When thinking of self-respect there is a connection to individual character. By respecting others and oneself it increases self worth, which increases the responsibility each individual takes. It is connected to attitude and the way individuals treat others, which is directly connected to how they treat themself. In addition, exercising and diet are a big part of self-respect and they are also connected to mental health as well. Taking care of oneself physically can increase the energy and motivation each person has.
Each of these aspects contributes to how personally responsible individuals are. When these actions into place students can be successful in college. This ensures each individual best when taking courses, which includes communicating with the team and completing individual assignments.

Plan for personal responsibility in my education.
• Day planner – To prioritize and organize the reading and individual/group assignments that need to be completed. Be open to making changes if something pops up during the day but for the most part stick to the schedule.
• 8 hours of sleep each night. Maintaining my sleep is a priority so that I can be at my best to complete my individual/group assignments.
• Physical exercise – Playing tennis and soccer weekly with my teams and friends.
• Family time – Make sure that my time with my daughter is quality time. Going to her soccer games, piano lessons and other activities.
• Balanced diet – Cooking meals at home to ensure a proper diet.
• Being true to my beliefs and values. I don’t want to loose myself in this process because it has the potential to get overwhelming if I allow it.

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