This is a story of two different students. For our sake, we’ll call them Think 1 and Think 2. (Yes, a play on words of Thing 1 and Thing 2… as they are thinking students… and how they think about themselves really matters.)
Both of these students have been students of mine. They are similar in age and capabilities. However, their motivation and willingness to learn personal lessons is what set them apart from one another.
I met Think 1 a little over three years ago. He seemed like a nice guy, but a bit shy. He was nervous to be sitting in my class, and didn’t know if he could do the course work. In fact, throughout the years knowing him, he’d sometimes come up to me and say something along those lines at the beginning of a semester.
Think 1 needed some encouragement, and reminding that he thought that last semester as well, and he not only passed his classes, but made A’s and B’s. Think 1 listened when I saw him going off course and was willing to make minor adjustments to his habits, schedules, etc to get back on track. It wasn’t always easy, but I recently saw him walk across the stage and receive his diploma.
A few days before he went across the stage he found me, and thanked me. He said he wouldn’t have been able to do it without me. I reminded him that all I did was give him a little push when he needed it. He did all those assignments himself. He did all the studying for his test, himself. Again and again, he was at the center of action, making it work. I just was there to remind him of what he did.
Think 2 I met in a very similar class at Think 1, just a couple of years later. He was also a nice guy, always had a smile on his face. He wasn’t as shy, but sounded motivated. I was sure that Think 2 would be successful. However, Think 2 often got distracted by what was going on around him. As I’d see him in class, I’d remind him about due dates coming up, and how I didn’t see him in class, but he needed to be there. He would always agree, and say he’d adjust his schedule, make sure he was there, etc. However, he never made those little internal adjustments.
In both cases, these two students needed a simple push. They were capable of being successful. However, one thing I’ve learned in my journey in life is you have to be more than capable. You have to be willing and able to make those small changes to be successful.
If you’re unwilling to be coached, to be corrected, to improve on your current self, you won’t get far.
One student walked across the stage holding a diploma, one student was sent a letter of academic probation.
The question becomes, which student will you be?
Two Students was originally found on Access 2 Learn
