College student success courses are designed to help students develop effective self-regulating learning (SRL) skills. Little research has examined students' perceptions of SRL at course end. The purpose of this study was to examine student perceptions of "what makes an effective college student" in regards to SRL after course completion. Participants were 187 undergraduates enrolled in a course offered by the campus learning center at a large Midwestern university. Document analysis of student essays revealed that students most often viewed time management and motivation as critical to becoming effective college students. Implications for student success course curriculum are discussed.