Attitude and Effort

Imagine this: you had an enjoyable summer where you had the opportunity to go on a vacation with your family, you went to the beach a few times with your friends, and you had enough time to reach mastery status on the latest version of Pac-Man. At some point in your perfect summer you conclude that when it is time to return to your beloved school, you want to take your education more seriously.

Let’s say the above illustration accurately describes you. You have decided (or your parents have decided for you) that you want to be the Excellence-award winning, straight-A, ideal students that earns scholarships to the most prestigious schools in the country. If you are wanting to take your education more seriously, but you don’t know what that means, allow me to give you some ideas to get you started.

First of all, it all begins with your attitude. If you cometo school each morning with a grumpy attitude, wishing you had done a better job faking your 3rd upset stomach of the month, then you do not have an attitude that is prepared for reaching your academic potential. But if you decide to have a positive attitude –when you get ready for school in the morning, when you are at the school, and when you do your homework –then you are well on your way to excelling this year.

The next thing that is required of you to take your education more seriously is your effort level. If you want to be a good student, but you daydream when your teacher is instructing you, and you wait until the last minute to get your work done, then you will not reach your full potential (by the way, your teachers can tell when your work isdone at the last minute). But if you pay attention to the best of your abilities in class, and you give your best efforts to your homework, then you are taking the appropriate actions leading to a fantastic year.There are no “secrets” to becoming a goodstudent, it just takes consistency. It may be easier for some students than it is for others, but if you are committed to having a good attitude, and are willing to give good effort to your work, then you are doing everything your parents and teachers expect of you, and you are on your way to academic excellence.