True repentance must have the following characteristics:
1) It must be a sorrow from the bottom of the heart as sins have their roots in our hearts.
2) It should be a sorrow for all sins without exception.
One disease is enough to kill a man, one chain maybe enough to keep a man in bondage, and one unguarded door in a fortress may be enough to let in the enemies.
3) True repentance will automatically result in some definite act of restitution eg: restoration of stolen properties, offering apology.
4) True repentance will result in the avoidance of all circumstances which lead to sin.
5) True repentance results in the thirst for opportunities to do the good.
6) It may also result in more time given to prayer, cutting down idle hours etc
7) True repentance is God centered and so is always hopeful.