Like the path taken by a serious student? (6)
I believe the answer is:
gravel
'like the path' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'by a serious student?' is the wordplay.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a serious' becomes 'grave' (both can mean solemn).
'student?' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'grave'+'l' is 'GRAVEL'.
'taken' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gravel that I've seen before include "Coarse sand with small stones used for roads, driveways etc" , "Rocky fragments" , "Mixture of small stones" , "Coarse sand mixed with small stones" , "Loose fragments of rock" .)