How Do You Approach School?

Leaves begin to change color, the air turns crisp—summer ends. As you hear the word “school” for the first time after summer break, does it hit your ears like a hammer and depression sets in? Or are you immediately filled with joy?

Most likely it is neither extreme. But when back-to-school sales come in full swing and your thoughts turn to sharpening pencils, writing essays, graded papers, and frustrating classmates, do you sometimes ask, “Why is school important?”

Teachers or schoolmates can be difficult to deal with, tests can be hard, and mornings can feel too early. School is not easy, and some days it may be hard to climb out of bed and go to class.

Yet your education is enormously important! To be successful in life, one must acquire a basic education. In fact, the second law of success is education. (Read our booklet The Laws to Success to learn more.)

Knowledge you learn in class provides an important foundation for your life. Determine to gain everything you can from your time in school! It can be a wonderful opportunity to learn and develop character—if you take an active approach to your education.

Set a Good Example

Not only does being in school offer an opportunity to gain more knowledge, it provides a chance to make friends and develop social skills. Choose friends who will have a good influence on you. As people’s conduct around the world worsens, the actions of most students are no different. Although many live lifestyles revolving around alcohol and drugs, you can be different! Swim against the current. Find peers who share your interests or hobbies. The friends you make will have an influence on you, whether good or bad. Be wise and choose your friends carefully.

Think about the example you set. Do you regularly turn in your assignments late or sometimes find yourself gossiping? What you say or do in class matters, and how you act even reflects on the Church.

Manage your time and take initiative. Turn in assignments on time. If you do, your instructors and fellow classmates will take note; some will even follow your example. Leading by example can have a positive impact on those around you.

Doing this will not only benefit you as you receive an education, but will also help later in life when you enter a career. Employers notice those who are motivated and capable of getting things done. You can begin practicing leadership skills now that will be used later in adulthood—and even in God’s kingdom.

Also, learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. For example, if someone you know was doing well in school, but then let his grades slip by becoming mixed up in the wrong crowd—learn from it. Whether your friends and peers set good examples or bad ones, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”

Teachable Attitude

Whether you are in public school or homeschooled, make your teacher’s job easier by being willing to learn. Listen and be attentive in class. If you are able to read this, it is because a teacher or parent taught you. Do you appreciate the hard work they put in to ensure you receive a proper education?

Some have misused their positions by straying from the facts to teach their personal ideas and beliefs. Of course, teachers are far from perfect. Nevertheless, God’s Word instructs you to give them proper respect (Rom. 13:7).

You could one day become a teacher in the world tomorrow, instructing people how to live God’s Way. But before this can happen, you must first be teachable. Does Proverbs 9 apply to you? “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (vs. 9).

Stay humble and remind yourself that you are still young and have much to learn. Work on having a more teachable attitude and not saying this: “How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me!” (Prov. 5:12-13).

Lighting a Fire

How much you learn and grow while in school depends on the effort you put in. The pace you set could even determine how you live the rest of your life. Are you doing as well as you could be?

The poet W.B. Yeats once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” No matter what situation you are in, use the opportunity to grow and develop character.

Use the time at school to broaden your horizons. Become knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. Choose those that will challenge you. Learn from the experiences of others. Research various languages, and discipline yourself to stick with the one you choose. Learn to play an instrument such as the oboe or clarinet. Join the marching band or become an avid reader. Get involved in extracurricular activities or sports. There are almost endless possibilities.

As you become more educated and develop into a well-rounded individual, the foundational knowledge learned in school will greatly benefit you in adulthood, whether learned in a cooking class or on a sports team. Subjects you study could even lead to a career that could be used in the world to come.

What career interests do you have? Have you applied to any colleges yet? If you desire a family someday, you will need a career or profession to financially support them.

Think about the future. Decisions you make in school can have a dramatic effect on your future. Set goals for yourself and make every effort to reach them.

Do not take your schooling for granted. It will seem like the blink of an eye before it is over. Graduation will arrive before you know it. Take advantage of opportunities. If you are in high school, be thankful for the free education provided.

School is an important stepping stone to a truly successful life. Determine to use the time wisely, whether homeschooled, in middle or high school, or in college. Give it your all. There will be times when you are tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up. But do not let school get you down. Keep at it. The hard work you put in will pay off if you stay the course!