Qualities of a Student (Vidyaarthee)

काकचेष्टा बकोध्यानं श्वाननिद्रा तथैव च |
अल्पाहारी ब्रह्मचारी विद्यार्थी पञ्चलक्षणम् ||

Kaaka-cheshTaa bakodhyaanam shvaana-nidraa tathaiva cha
Alpaahaari brahmachaari vidyaarthee pancha-lakshaNam

Meaning: Agility of a crow (kaaka), concentration of a crane (baka), light sleep like a dog (shvaana), light eater (alpaa-haari), brahmachaari—these are the 5 qualities of a vidyaa-arthee.

Basically, this shloka tells us the 5 essential qualities desired out of an ideal student. A student should be very agile, alert & energetic like a crow. At the same time, he should have concentration like a crane. A crane can sit still for hours together waiting & concentrating on his prey. Sleep should be a like a dog. A dog wakes up at the slightest of sounds and is ever alert. 
 
Also very important is the quality of alpaahaari... i.e. light eater. Students should not be stuffing their stomachs to the brim, since it affects their agility & concentration. 

Most importantly, a student should have the virtue of brahmachaari... not just in the sense of being not married but being of a pure, unadulterated mind. Revered Pandurang Shastri Athavale explains a much more wider perspective of brahmachaari as one who walks on the path of Brahma or God. 

Even the concept of vidyaa is a lot more broader than the English term 'education'. Vidyaa connotes an education which teaches why to live, how to live, and which guides you to actually live that life. Ancient Indian literature mention 14 vidyaas, the pursuit of which makes you a Vidyaarthee. The rest (which cover almost all our academics, occupations and professions) are just kalas or arts.

But even for people who are engaged in any form of education—whether life-oriented or bread-oriented—these 5 qualities are a must, to achieve success. This is the mantra for success in any field of life.