by Fred Stuvek Jr. | Oct 10, 2018
I asked a number of teens and young adults to pick one thing that was on their mind which was a source of concern to them. The response from the majority of those was “How Will I Do in School” hence the topic.
The classes you will take can be broken down into two categories. The first category is classes you want to take and will find interesting. The second category are those classes you do not want to take and do not find interesting. Unfortunately, there are always some core courses that you must take that fall into this category. Harkening back to my time at the Naval Academy Electrical Engineering and Differential Equations most definitely fall into the second category.
Rest assured that if you develop good study habits and follow some simple, time tested techniques you absolutely have the potential to do well, but that is up to you. Here are some suggestions.
- Go to class – While this may sound like a marvelous statement of the obvious you need to show up at every class. In addition to showing up and being seen you will not miss out on classroom lectures, discussions, and key points your instructor makes which may very likely end up on a test. Also, be seen and be heard.
- Learn how you learn best – Everyone has a style of learning that best suits them. Some people are more auditory, some are more visual, and some learn best through being actively engaged in a project, such as a study group. They all have their place and you will learn through a combination of these methods. Hone in on what works best for you.
- Leverage technology – Advances in technology give you an array of choices to help facilitate your learning. Sonocent note taker and SMART pens are just two examples. Later you can type up your notes which presents the information again and provides further reinforcement and retention.
- Develop good study habits – Rather than cramming, set aside a time every day, that works best for you and study some of the material. You have to be disciplined about this and ditch the excuses for not studying. Studying spread out over time combined with repetition helps convert the information from your short-term to long-term memory and is more effective than cramming. Pick a place that is conducive to studying, devoid of distractions.
- Ask for help – Do not be afraid to ask for help – either other students, a study group, or the instructor. Talk to your instructor to let him or her know you are struggling. Your instructor is there to teach and will work with you. Anytime I was struggling with a class I got actively involved with the instructor and in each instance things worked out.
Also, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Ensure you exercise, which helps stimulate learning; and get adequate amounts of sleep since you will learn and test better if you are rested versus being sleep deprived.
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by Fred Stuvek Jr. | Oct 10, 2018
The Navy Football Brotherhood is an organization with a mission “To serve and support the United States Naval Academy Football Program and players of the past, present, and future. The “Brotherhood” is the brainchild of Frank Schenk, a fellow alumni and former football player. One of Frank’s claims to fame is kicking the winning field goal at an Army – Navy game with seconds remaining. Frank has done an outstanding job and puts a lot of time and effort into the Brotherhood organization. He keeps everyone informed and has developed a number of initiatives which support the overall mission. At each home game in Annapolis there is a Brotherhood tent where former football players gather and get acquainted or re-acquainted.
Frank sends out updates on a regular basis, especially during the season. In these updates he also honors Our Fallen Brothers, former football players who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. On a recent update he mentioned Brendan Looney, which brought back memories of the book “Brothers Forever”. The book is the story of two Naval Academy graduates, Brendan Looney and Travis Manion, who were classmates and close friends. Brendan was a Navy SEAL and Travis was in the Marines. They both ended up making the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their enduring bond continues to this day as they are both buried side by side in Arlington National Cemetery. If you haven’t read the book I recommend it.
Brendan’s core values, and a saying he lived by was “Be Strong. Be Accountable. Never Complain”. He further outlined how to live by this code:
- Make good choices
- Create goals
- Give 110%
- Work hard in school, on the field, and in the workplace
- Help and encourage others
- Give back to community
- Working always to better yourself, means giving your best self to others. No regrets.
There is a great deal of wisdom in his advice. In whatever you strive to do keep these words in mind. Your mindset is your primary weapon, so Be Strong both mentally and physically. Be Accountable since once you commit you are responsible to yourself. Never Complain and do something about it, find a way or make one.
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by Fred Stuvek Jr. | Oct 10, 2018
If you look at someone who is successful one of the traits all of them have in common is being disciplined. Discipline is a necessary trait for someone to be successful in in whatever you endeavor to achieve, whether it be school, in sports, in the military, or in business. This extends to both your personal and professional life as discipline is a transferrable skill that goes with you in whatever you do.
Discipline equals freedom is a saying you may have seen at one time and these words ring true as self-discipline is a form of freedom. Discipline will enable you to remain steadfast and resolute, giving you the freedom to go where you want to go and be what you want to be. It gives you the will to take the necessary actions to improve yourself, the courage to get outside of your comfort zone to face your fears, and the self-control to stick to a regimen. A lack of discipline results in excuses and distracts you from doing what is necessary for success. You will not face the challenges that need to be confronted and will avoid them, resulting in missed opportunities. You will become stagnant, never stepping outside your comfort zone, and relegating yourself to a lifetime of mediocrity.
If you are disciplined you will gain the respect of others as you are seen as someone who is motivated. This motivation and will to succeed results in action, and those actions will lead to improvement as you stay focused, regardless of distractions or excuses.
As with any other process, discipline is a learned behavior and you can take actions to improve your self-discipline. To learn this behavior, take the following steps:
- Define what you want to do and why you want to do it. Develop a plan with specific goals and timelines. Start with smaller goals that are achievable, which will help you build confidence as you commence your new routine.
- Identify the obstacles or stressors you will and encounter and how you will deal with them. Anticipate, visualize, and overcome.
- Develop a routine, and stick with it. This is not unlike a routine that athletes follow. Train and condition yourself to become more disciplined, and it will become second nature.
- Track your progress by routinely reviewing you plan. This helps you stay focused. Accept that setbacks will occur along the way.
- Make the commitment to follow through with your plan. Hold yourself accountable. Get rid of the excuses.
Adhering to this regimen will result in your new approach becoming ingrained.
Over time, as small successes mount up, bad habits are abandoned, good habits are developed, and you are in control.
Discipline is the soul of your journey. Get disciplined!
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