That’s what the most successful high school students

believe, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Horatio Alger Foundation.

Nearly all the successful students said that the harder they work, the more opportunities they will have in life, with more than nine out of 10 believing that there will be many opportunities for them personally after they graduate. That belief has paid off: more than six out of 10 students in this group received mostly A’s on their last report card.

Successful students have strong relationships with parents, teachers and friends. They confide in, get along with and like and respect their mothers and fathers. They also have good friends—most say they have a group of friends they like hanging out with.

The successful students didn’t start out with every advantage. In fact, eight percent come from households that earn less than $15,000 a year, and 14 percent are being raised by a single parent.

What they share is a belief in themselves and the knowledge that others believe in them. Parents who want to help their children be successful in school can learn from these students. They say emphasize the value of hard work, tell kids you believe in them, and help them to believe in themselves.

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