3 Traits of a Successful Student

The school year is in full swing and if you're a parent like me your goal is for your child to have a successful year. But what exactly makes a student successful?  Is it grades, interpersonal relationships, an understanding of the material, or all of the above? I came across some information recently that focused on the subject of successful students and thought I'd share some of the highlights.
A student's success is not always defined by grades, standardized test scores, and awards, but the traits that make the student successful. Those are assets that will carry a student into the future - further than any report card or trophy. So what exactly are those traits? One, is a love of reading. Exposing a child to to reading at an early age is a must! Even is it's just a parent reading to a child. And believe it or not, even the big kids love being read to as well. When I go into the upper level elementary classrooms and read a book, the students are just as interested as when I am in the primary grades.  
Another important trait is a student's interpersonal skills. If a child can share, show empathy towards others, and cooperate with a group then it will guide him or her to a greater understanding of others and help him or her over hurdles that others will face in the future. Parents and teachers can emulate good interpersonal skills through modeling and "coaching".
 Last but not least, self-regulation is one of the most important traits of the successful student. Self-regulation refers to the ability to control one's behavior and choices. Obviously, this is part of parent-training. Children are not born with the ability to self-regulate - they depend on their parents. But with the help of teachers and parents, students can be "coached" to become more responsible for their choices and their school work. Adults can model self-regulation by watching their own reactions or responses to stressful situations. Plainly put, if an adult reacts in a negatively or anxiously to stress or school work, a child will most likely react the same way.