In Canada, there are few long-term developmental education studies of adult basic education (ABE) students. This lack of studies impedes the understanding of ABE students' complex motivations, their diverse challenges, and their exceptional achievements. This 5-year cohort longitudinal panel study used interview data augmented by quantitative survey data. Thematic analysis was used to code interviews. This paper focuses on student-described learning preferences and supports that positively influenced student development and success. The most frequently described factors contributing to student success were grouped into four themes: (1) learning, (2) connections, (3) strengths, and (4) supports.