The Secret to Success

One of the things I learned from teaching the G.E.D. program was the importance of consistency. My students did better when we stuck to a routine and it was important that I incorporate that principal as well. Homework was another point I drove home. I taught my students that class was just the warm up. They would not dare play in a big basketball game or football game without warming up or practicing before the game. The same was true with learning. What I taught in the classroom was the appetizer not the entrée. If they really wanted to pass the G.E.D. test, the real work did not begin until they studied away from class. I told them that for every hour they spend in class, they needed to study two hours outside of class. I incorporated that strategy into my game plan as well. I made sure my routine consisted of studying for each subject at the same time and even the same place. My study routine also included more than just doing the assignment. I reviewed my notes from class, and even studied the syllabus daily to see where I was and how far I had to go. If I had spare time once I went through my entire routine, I would prepare for all my classes as if there was going to be a pop quiz. And as a former procrastinator, I always had to remind myself not to put off what I could do today.

4. Discovering my learning style

By discovering my learning style I was able to study effectively rather than just “winging it.” After taking a learning style test, I found out that my learning style was:

Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence

Has the ability to use words and language. These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally elegant speakers. They think in words rather than pictures.

Their skills include:

Listening, speaking, writing, story telling, explaining, teaching, using humor, understanding the syntax and meaning of words, remembering information, convincing someone of their point of view, analyzing language usage.

Possible career interests:

Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator

Take the time to research the learning style that works best for you. Trust me; it makes a world of difference.

5. Take care of your body

Most students do not realize how connected their diet is to their academic life. I had to learn the hard way that studying on four hours of sleep and an empty stomach or junk-food was a sure fire way to keep you struggling academically. I realized getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep, drinking 8 glasses of water a day and exercising helped me immensely when it came time to study. I had more energy, could study longer hours in one setting, and I retained more information. During test weeks I avoided fast food, ate more fruit and vegetables and stopped drinking soda because it had so much sugar and caffeine.

Summary: Points for Academic Success

•   Get support.

•   Set up the triangle offense.

•   Add weapons to your game.

•   Utilizing resources.

•   Maintaining a balance.

•   Establishing a routine time to study for each class.

•   Discovering your learning style.

•   Taking care of your body.

CHAPTER

19

Don’t cry over spilled milk. Wipe it up and pour yourself another glass.

My return to college in the fall of 95’ proved to be my best academic year ever. I made the Dean’s list for the first time in my college career without the help of any remedial courses and I raised my cumulative G.P.A. Things were going great! Based on my conversation with my advisor, I was projected to graduate with my degree in Education May ‘97. I could taste it and I wanted it as bad as I wanted to breathe. In the midst of all my success, I kept telling myself, “…it’s just too good to be true.” I wasn’t trying to jinx myself; I just had a hard time believing I was finally over the hump. I felt like the Evans family on the T.V. show Good Times. Whenever it looked like they got a big break and were finally on their way out of the ghetto, something bad happened. I must have been a distant relative of the Evan’s family because it seemed as though I couldn’t catch a break, or when I finally did, something would happen to derail it.