The article defines the importance of the development of social and emotional intelligence in the student age period, the influence of emotional intelligence and social intelligence in students on the motivation to achieve success is studied. On the basis of theoretical research, by analyzing domestic, Russian and foreign scientific works, the findings of the historical development of the concept of social intelligence are systematized, and comparative data are summarized in a specific table. An author's definition of this concept is offered. Social intelligence is conceptualized as an integral intellectual ability of a person, which is manifested in achieving success by adapting to effective communication between people and social-psychological conditions, and the importance of its development in human life and activities is determined. Also, on the basis of conducting experimental studies, the relationship between each scale of emotional intelligence, each scale of social intelligence, and external and internal factors in achieving success is determined on the basis of Pearson's correlation coefficient. It was found that there is a strong positive relationship between emotional intelligence and self-regulation and empathy, and a positive but small relationship between self-motivation and emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Also, the results of the study prove that there is a strong relationship between emotional intelligence and internal indicators of achievement.