The ants are one of the most successful creatures on planet earth. Although a small animal with fragile body build, the ants happen to be very wise and resourceful. Their success lies, in part, to their ability to tolerate virtually all kinds of weather conditions –be it dry or wet, cold or hot. Also, they possess some qualities upon which their success can be attributed to.

These qualities form the basis of our discussion as we study them all in detail. As we go on, I will be highlighting the various lessons you can learn from the ants as a student.

Sincerely, I implore you to take these lessons with all seriousness; if really, you desire to lead a successful and organized life that amount to an excellent academic accomplishment in your chosen field of study. And I strongly believe that you can achieve your desired success, if and only if, you could emulate these qualities of the ants. Although, we all desire success in everything we do but I’ve written this article specifically for students in all levels of education. So, let’s get started.

1. Ants are hard-working
Ants are known to be hard-working. They work very hard almost every day to provide their immediate and distant needs. This helps secure their future making it possible for them to lay up food reserve for themselves.
In like manner should you, as a student, learn to always work hard. You shouldn’t see it as a stressful task but as a prerequisite for excellent success. Working hard doesn’t kill. I know there are lots of folks out there who hold on to the strange belief that hard work kills. Well, I don’t want you to be among such folks because working hard doesn’t kill. When you hold on to such belief, it becomes almost impossible for you to tread on this noble path to excellent success.

Now, if hard-work doesn’t kill; then, what does? Well, laziness does kill. I know this for sure because the ant tells me so. You can’t die of hard work; but laziness. As a matter of fact, the so called “laziness” has for long been destroying the bright future of many students. Laziness is always associated with failure, shame as well as reproach. In contrast, hard-work sustains and promotes life; it’s always associated with success, joy as well as promotion among others.

Therefore, in other for you to excel in your chosen course of study as a student, you must be hard-working. You must not associate with laziness and idleness. You just have to get up and work. Read up your lecture notes as often as possible and do your assignments promptly. You should always remember that productivity as well as excellent success comes after hard-work.

2. Ants are focused
The ants are known to be highly focused. They know where they are going to and make enough effort to get to their destination, despite the presence of any obstacle along their path. To prove this point, place a stick or any obstacle across the path of any ant. What do you notice about the response of the ant? Can you observe how the ant goes around the obstacle to continue its journey? This, the ant does no matter how long the obstacle is. What this simply means is that, ants are focused. They tend to focus their attention on their destination. As such, they pay no attention to any form of distraction. With this, they are able to lead a successful life.

As a student, you must learn to be focused. Ensure that your focus is always on your academic studies. Always keep your vision, goals and aspirations in view. Doing this consistently each day helps you remain focused and thus, making it possible for you to achieve whatever you desire to achieve in life.

3. Ants are determined and persevering
The ants are known for their determination and perseverance to get what they wanted at any point in time. They are determined to excel in spite of any obstacle. This is evident in their quest for survival. They are very dogged in their search for food.
In like manner, you must determine to excel as a student and work tirelessly always to achieve your desired goal. You shouldn’t allow anything hinder you from accomplishing your dreams and aspirations. Nothing should stop you from achieving your set goals in your studies. Nothing should hinder you from getting through the college/university. Nothing should prevent you from being the best that you really are.

At this point, it would be valuable to take some time out and reflect on those things that stand as distractions to you. Once you have identified them, you must make a firm decision to get rid of them. Do this without hesitating. This is very important because, it determines how far you will get to in your chosen course of study.

4. Ants are self-disciplined
Self-discipline is one of the key factors that contribute immensely to the success of the ants. It’s amazing to see how disciplined the ants are. For instance, the ant has neither a guide nor a director to instruct them on what to do, when to work and when not to; yet, they are able to coordinate their activities and work efficiently. This single quality of the ants goes a long way in determining the prosperity and, in the long run, the posterity of the ants. With this ability, the ant is able to do its work dutifully irrespective of any prevailing circumstance.

In the same vein, you should inculcate this quality of self-discipline as you go about your academic activities. You must learn to carry out your class works and other projects/assignments dutifully even without anyone watching over you. Don’t give in to procrastination because, it is deceptive and destructive. Develop the mindset of always acting “now.” This helps you defeat procrastination.

Also, don’t think of running away from difficult or unpleasant tasks. This is because; there is really no shortcut to success. Rather, you should face those tasks with an unrelenting commitment towards getting them done. Be self-disciplined; don’t waste your time on tasks that aren’t necessary. Then, ensure you get rid of friends that come around just to engage you in unprofitable ventures. Beware of time wasters.

5. Ants co-exist
It’s hard for you to see the ants fight one another. They live together harmonizing their strength towards achieving a common goal. This unity demonstrated by the ant is beyond human comprehension. This is because; we, humans are of the opinion that you have to outsmart your neighbors, course-mates, or colleague in other to succeed in life. This concept is known as “survival of the fittest.” Such kind of competition is unhealthy and leads to breakup of friendship as well as conflict.

Well, in actual fact, the ants do not compete with one another. Each day, they work very hard in synergy towards achieving a common goal.

In like manner, you should learn to work together with your course-mates in school. This is important because it gives you the opportunity to share ideas with them and updates your knowledge on any particular field of study. Participate in group discussions. Resist the temptation to work alone.

6. Ants are self-less
To be selfish is to live for one’s own self. In such case, the center of interest is always “I.” In contrast, to be selfless is to live for others. In this case, the emphasis is more on others and less of self. This is a good quality you can find in the ants. The ants are self-less. This is because; the thought and desire of every single ant is entirely on the needs of the colony. And when such an ant goes out in search of food each day, it does so with the interest of the colony at “heart.” The evidence of this quality can be seen in this fact that upon sighting any source of food, an ant goes out to invite other ants to the place where the food is located. This is an act of selflessness.

Now, what lesson can you grab here as a student? Simply, you should always consider those around you in school. Be selfless but not selfish. Don’t hide any material that would be of benefit to your course mates. Rather, share them. Be willing to give out stuffs that you course mates are in need of and learn to always lend your helping hands to them. By so doing, you will be putting smiles in their faces. Be a friend to them. Also, be interested in the success of your course mates. Keep in mind that your actions have a remote reward.

At this point, I have been able to discuss the qualities of the ants that make them highly efficient and successful. Emulating these qualities of the ants distinguishes you from mediocrity and helps you achieve excellent success in your chosen field of study. Concentrate on these qualities and go through them over and over; for therein lies your success.

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