One Down, Three To Go

Well, the day has finally come and there is nothing you can do about it.  That day, being the end of the marking period, the last day of the quarter.  That day when many teens wake up, realize that "play time" is over and scramble to school and attempt to meet with their teachers in a last minute, desperate, attempt to get extra credit or talk their way into a better grade.  Promises to do better, promises to attend after-school tutoring, promises to sit in the front of class, promises to keep  promises.  No stone is left unturned in the arena of promises.  This past school week, many students experienced a happy or, in some cases, sad dose of reality.  It's now only a matter of DAYS before the official grade report, aka, report card arrives home and in the hands of "those other people".  Some of you just may have some explaining to do.

What will yours report?  Will it report a job well done, a confirmation of your hard work, long hours of preparation and study, and your understanding of the commitment needed for the most important aspect of teen life, which is school achievement.  Will your report card indicate that you understand that education is the catalyst to most, if not all, successes, that education, once achieved, can never be lost, that education solidifies your sense of self, that education is what will prepare you for the future that you envision, with all its possibilities?  Will yours report a job not-so-well done?  If so, then why?  Is it because you truly have experienced challenges in grasping the lessons in a particular class?  Is it true because you have missed a significant amount of time out of class as a result of a legitimate, excused reason?  Or, is it because you lost track of time and goofed off in your classes believing there would always be more time to get the work done, do better on that quiz or test, turn in that homework or complete that research project?  Did you put too much time and focus in your athletic career or social career?  Too much time on the football field, soccor field, volleyball court, swimming pool, or basketball court may lead to increased skills, but will also lead to disaster in the classroom.  Too much time on Facebook, MySpace, email, the phone, the IPOD and those computer games will also lead to disaster in the classroom.  Too much time being the social butterfly who attends every party and looks for reasons to be out of class will also lead to disaster in the classroom.

Wherever you find yourself this 1st grading quarter, the lesson for young people is this:  School is your MOST important endeavor.  It comes before all else....sports, friends, fun times.  Whether a freshman or a senior, know that what you accomplish in the classroom will matter.  It will matter to the colleges you apply, the military in which you may enlist or any other program in which you may choose to apply.  Don't take for granted that you have a lot of time because you don't.  The grades you receive in ALL four quarters are calculated into your GPA (grade point average).  Don't wait for your teachers or parents to come to you about your school and class performance.  That is your responsibility, part of your JOB of going to school. You should be constantly communicating with your teachers regarding your performance, grade, assignments missed or extra credit and tutoring opportunities.  When asked about your grade in a class, the answer should never be "I don't know".  Take full ownership of your academic skills in the same manner you do your athletic and social skills.   Work just as hard to improve your grades as you do to improve your other talents.

So, let this first quarter be the wake-up call.  A wake-up call to keep doing what your doing, if you have an A average, or to make some changes and rearrange your focus and priorities if your grades were less than good.  Strive to be the "A" student, the one that understands that there is NO time to play and that each quarter matters in the game of education.