Ortega
English Comp. MWF
September 28, 2014 Model Student
When you have a student that does not care much about their education, that student probably lacks the right tools to reach their fullest potential. Many blame the public school system and their ways of teaching for student failure rates. However, it is up to each individual student to put their best foot forward demonstrating responsibility, curiosity, and love of learning. Being able to take a situation into your own hands is a great gift. When an individual student can take a handle of their own education knowing their strengths and weaknesses and being able to take proper precautions shows a great deal of responsibility and “If I was bored it was my fault and no one else’s," said Gatto (42). Many students forget that going to school is a privilege not a gift. Considering the fact that most students attend public school, students seem to not realize that if they want the best out of their education he or she must be willing to apply themselves. With a class filled with different minds the teacher will not be able to go back and teach the given material in every way possible. So an individual student must make it their responsibility to take some time to talk the instructor making it that student’s mission to master what they lack in understanding. For example, when furthering your education you have no choice but to take some responsibility. As a college freshman, I have learned that if I did not care about my classes no one else was going to. That is why I make it my highest priority to stay on top of my game. Doing my homework, studying, and going to tutoring are just a few things I do to make sure I get the 2.0 GPA required to be considered a sophomore. That is what I plan to do for the next four years, because education should be any student’s greatest responsibility.
Naturally, curiosity is something that all students possess, but only a few really know the true meaning and have been able to put it to good use. Robinson proposed a good point when he stated, “Children who we believe possess exceptional talents, aren’t necessarily exceptional, but were simply able to discover their talents"(66). Growing up presently I like to try new things. My curiosity has leaded me to things that have changed my life in so many positive ways. As a seventh grade student, I tried out for my middle school gymnastics team. Even though I practiced for hours, I unfortunately did not make the cut. Of course I was devastated when I found out that I was not going to be on the team. The following week my school hosted try-outs for our varsity dance team. I tried out and to my surprise, I made the team. Yes, that is right I said it; I, Tewoh Kabbah made the dance team. I know you might be asking yourself, “why would you do that; why would you want to go through the pain of not making it again?" I tried out for dance because I wanted to see if I was bad at gymnastics, maybe the gods will have mercy on my soul and help me make the dance team. Help me they did; not only did I make the team, I also made lieutenant. My curiosity has led me into finding my true gift; dance. Dancing is something I never would have known I was good at; if I would have accepted the fact that I was not good enough to make the gymnastics team, maybe I was not going to be good enough to make the dance team. Students must realize it is okay to fail at times as most of them will do some point in their education, but a good student will use that failure as motivation and open their mind to be more curious into finding their true purpose. You do not have to be a student who wakes up at the break of dawn ecstatic as can be to go to class, sits in the front in every one of his or her classes, or even have a 4.0 GPA to have a passionate mind to learn. An individual student can be smart and do all those things, but if they do not have the passion to learn, it is all pointless information.