Making the Most of School
Throughout this book you have learned that it is important to be an active rather than a passive student. That not only applies to your specific study tasks, but to your entire attitude as a student. You can’t sit back and place your education entirely in the hands of others.
Teachers, books, and other educational resources can only do so much; ultimately, you must take control of your own education if it is going to have any value. In part, this means getting help when you need it. There are many resources available to help you when you are having difficulty, including caring teachers and tutoring programs, but you’ve got to make the effort to seek them out.
At the same time, you can supplement your education on your own. Schools today are rich in resources and opportunities that can provide you with an exceptional, well-rounded education, from study-abroad programs and career internships to high-tech study centers and libraries.
But these opportunities are not going to come knocking on your door; you need to take active measures to find and use them. If you make the most of your education, it will eventually mean much more to you than a diploma hanging on the wall. It will mean you have done a successful job in charting your path towards a future that you created. The foundation your education provides is more sturdy and stable if you have taken an active role in crafting and working at it.
In the meantime, good luck and happy studying.
FINAL IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
Develop productive study habits and make them a part of your daily routine. Change bad habits into good ones.
Treat being a student like a job; be professional, serious, and organized.
Set tasks for each day, week, and month.
Manage your time carefully; create a schedule that gives you flexibility each week to fulfill new tasks.
Make the right impression on your teacher. Take pride in your work.
Be an educated consumer.
Take control over your education and make the most of it.
“Dance is my thing so I do it whenever and wherever I can. I subscribe to dance magazines, read professional dancers’ blogs, teach dance to underprivileged kids, compete on my school dance team, and dance around my kitchen and living room while preparing dinner. Dance is my life outside and inside of high school and everyone knows it. Why not always do something you love?”
—Theresa M., Sophomore
