Academic success requires focus, discipline
ADESPONDENT man was being roused by his mother one early morning. “Son, it’s time to go to school,” the mother said. “I don’t want to for two reasons: I don’t like the people there, and the people don’t like me.”
* ** The mother gazed at him, saying: “My son, you should go back. I also give you two reasons why: first, you’re 59 years old already, and second, you are the school principal!”
Classes all over the country start tomorrow and principals, teachers, and students should return to school…whether they like it or not.
* ** With the new school year, allow me to share some tips on how to succeed as a student.
When I was in grade school, I didn’t know the importance of schooling and preferred gallivanting with my barkada— which was of course more enjoyable than doing homework.
As a result, I flunked in Grade 3. My schoolmates laughed and teased me, calling me a “repeater.” At that time, it was more shameful to be flunker than now.
* ** It was all my fault. The painful experience was a wake-up call. I promised to myself that it would never happen again. To make progress, I should impose discipline on myself like allotting more time for study. Slowly, I progressed.
When I reached Grade Six, I got moved to the bright section. But it wasn’t easy since I had to compete with the cream of the crop.
* ** When I graduated from high school, I made it to the top ten. And when I completed my MA in Philosophy, I finished with a distinction of magna cum laude.
This is not to blow my trumpet. Well… maybe it’s part of it.
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But I’m sharing that experience to prove that we all have the potential to excel although for some, it may not be in academics but in vocational, technical courses or sports. The crucial thing is we have to develop that raw material within us. And that requires focus, time, and, above all, discipline.
** * Moreover, we have to accept the reality that there is INEQUALITY in the distribution of talents and abilities. Just why there is, only God can answer that. But wouldn’t it be a boring world if everybody were all geniuses, stunning beauties, and extraordinary singers? For one thing, nobody would applaud as they receive medals or perform on stage!
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For the less gifted, the most important thing, however, is that after all the hard work, it’s all worth it because you gave it your best shot.
Remember: “What you ARE is God’s gift to you. What you BECOME is your gift to God.”
** * THE LIGHTER SIDE. Once a professor, known for sarcastic remarks, picked on a slow-witted student. “Jun, where were you when God was distributing brains?” The whole class laughed. Regaining his composure, Jun countered, “Sir, didn’t you know? Magkatabi lang tayo!” (We were just beside each other!). Everybody roared. LESSON: Don’t look down on your less gifted fellow creatures. ** * YOU ARE INVITED…to a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City with side tour to the USA on Oct. 10-20, 2015. The Guadalupe shrine is where the Blessed Virgin appeared several times to a peasant Indian and imprinted her image on a cloak (tilma). I will serve as chaplain.