There is no single definition of personal responsibility. However, consensus prevails that being responsible is learned. Thus, personal responsibility is a practice that requires both effort and patience. Personal responsibility is the act of behaving in an acceptable manner that includes carrying out duties expected of a person in the most diligent manner (Klein, 1995). Attributes such as completing chores in a reasonable time, listening and following instructions, asking questions in times of confusion, writing down assignments or activities, setting a regular schedule, studying regularly for tests, accepting being a student, planning to do well and asking for necessary help from friends, teachers and parents reflect on personal responsibility. Taking responsibility is indispensable in the growth and development process of students. Since our society faces several challenges, I am going to school in order to enhance my chances of contributing towards the provision of a better life to my family and I.
After identifying what personal responsibility entails, accepting it is necessary. In this regard, acceptance of personal responsibility include acknowledging responsibility on choices made about life, taking responsibility for individual feelings or thoughts, deciding one’s direction in life, avoiding blaming others when failure occurs, being defensive when targets are missed, accepting mistakes, etc.
Relationship between personal responsibility and college success
The reasons as to why each person should take responsibility are well documented. For instance, failure to accept responsibility results into negative consequences. Put differently, failure to accept personal responsibility exposes one to several risks. First, failure to take personal responsibility may leave a person to be overly dependent on other peoples’ approval, recognition, acceptance and affirmation. Moreover, lack of personal responsibility would predispose an individual to being chronically angry, depressed or hostile due to the nature of treatment a person faces. Another issue that is related to being irresponsible rests on the idea that it breeds fear when it comes to making personal decisions.
Based on the above discussion, there is a strong positive correlation between personal responsibility and college success. This is because personal responsibility demands that an individual accepts to be responsible for own actions. In most instances, when mistakes occur, the reaction is to find somebody to blame. In a college environment, if a student fails a test, chances are that the student would look for excuses. However, taking personal responsibility allows a student to reflect and understand where something did not proceed as expected. As such, being responsible allows a student to know what exactly went wrong. After comprehending where a mistake is made, a student makes corrections and moves forward. Thus, being responsible enhances the learning process, an aspect that I value tremendously.
Similarly, taking personal responsibility is useful in clarifying individual goals. In this regard, focus is on the idea that responsible students plan their time. In such plans, students allocate the highest number of their time to the most significant goals. After deciding which the most prominent goals to achieve are, students are in able to decide the best approaches to achieve them.
While studying, it is possible to make mistakes. Being responsible does not allow a student to look for other people to blame. This is because responsible students own up the mistakes that they commit and explore alternatives to solve them. Since correcting mistakes requires determination, taking responsibility is valuable as it promotes the growth of the young people.
On average, a college student spends half of their time in college. The implication is that they have to take responsibility regarding their studies. Several forms of academic assistance exist. However, personal responsibility is a primary aspect that allows students to understand the consequences of their actions. Since the choices made at college affect the adult lives of the students, personal responsibility is a critical issue.
Personal responsibility preliminary plan
In college, drawing a work plan is essential. This view holds since time management is a primary concern for college students. For one to achieve his/her goals, it would require a proper organization that accounts for all activities that students undertake. Unlike in high school, college classes have time gaps (Evenson, 2007). Hence, the use of time management tools would be required. Such tools include calendars, folders, to do lists, dividers and binders. Here, below, I outline my personal responsibility plan.
- I will complete the duties my parents give me to do
- I will listen and follow the directions given in school
-  I will ask questions when I am confused or when I do not understand instructions
- I will write down all my assignments and projects
- I will set a standard schedule to assist me to complete my school work
- I will study frequently for upcoming tests
- I will request for help from other people (parents, friends, teachers) whenever it is necessary
- I will accept that being a student is my responsibility and endeavor to do well
Conclusion
Evidence presented in this paper confirms that personal responsibility is critical in the growth and development of young people. Through taking responsibility, young people such as students are able to plan their time and decide their priorities. In the same way, young people are able to take charge of their destinies since they are able to identify the mistakes that they make and initiate corrective measures. Since I seek to improve my family’s life, I am bound to be responsible.