A Note to All Students

If you limit study only to what you want to know, you limit your potential. Worse yet, If you approach study with the dreaded idea that you only want to know what you need to know in order to pass, you will have fallen out of education's purpose and into the realm of training!

Every teacher dreads those words, "What do I need to know to pass/get an A on the test?" *Show up to class, participate in the discussion, read, listen and study everything I have put in the syllabus…That should at least get you a B+, the rest depends on how well you present your arguments.

Success depends upon you taking the initiative--the effort to figure things out on your own without the need to be told what to learn. Be fearless (but prudent). Never wait. Seize every opportunity for experience. Study everything in this world and NEVER shut yourself off from the opportunity to learn! There is a wise old Minnesota saying, "You can't win if you don't fish!" meaning you'll never succeed if you don't try.

Armed with this attitude and with the resources fortunately available to you as a US Citizen, there is really no excuse not to succeed. It is the result of this effort that is the mark of your education, not the diploma. To put it another way, you do not need to go to Harvard to earn a Harvard quality education. (Look at Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, or William Shakespeare - are you really any less than they were at this age?!)

Constantly challenge authority by asking questions: Be respectful and sincere in your inquiry. Be sure that your questions are grounded with good reasoning (and NOT emotionally based assertions). It is your right to demand a well reasoned response.

In this digital age, I have learned more by taking the initiative to email and write to world recognized experts. Yes I respect the efforts of their learning and politely address them by their title and have made a lot of good friends in the process, but there is nothing to fear from them. Realize that until a human being is created who requires not food nor the necessary consequence of said eating, all humans are equal. The more you learn the easier time you will have applying that knowledge to other disciplines and ultimately the better chance you will have at a successful and fulfilling life!

Beware of those instructors/schools who give out easy "A's" - Some schools have been cursed (some unjustly so) with the negative reputation, "Write a Check, Get a Degree." It is not that different from Martin Luther's argument against the sale of Indulgences. It is often difficult for employers and co-workers to look past this. It is however up to YOU to be diligent in your studies, work ethic and responsibilities. Some employees feel that if they get paid more THEN they will work harder. That attitude usually gets people fired. The reality is, have a good work ethic THEN, if profits are good, you deserve consideration for a raise. i