Por el Teniente Coronel Ralph Gracia
Columnista invitado
Staying on course is a successful route to college and in life. From my experience as an educator, many students believed college was about having fun, but they forgot there was work to be done too. When students get off track with their academics it is partially attributed to a lack of motivation. In my 11 years of working at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC), I have witnessed students go through the experience of lack of motivation and commitment in college and in life. Some students drop out of college and realize later it was a bad idea or the biggest mistake. College is not strictly about having fun, but it also encompasses hard work, motivation, and lifelong commitment.
In the past, I’ve shared articles on motivation and commitment from my “Success Strategies for College and Life” course. For example, one of my EFSC students shared with me, “I didn’t realize how much challenging it was when I started my freshman year. I struggled with my assignments and exams. I was also not committed or motivated the entire semester. It was difficult to stay focus and on course.” Conversely, if you get stressed because you do not understand the assignment or the instructor, then these can lead to procrastination; and ultimately dropping out of class. However, most of the time it is easier said than done. Students need to take successful steps on how to stay on course when it comes to struggling in college.
Many suggestions I have shared included, seeking help from a teacher, classmate or tutor. For example, a tutor will provide you with the resources you need to help you realize how important it is to stay committed to a class. This would pave the way to a successful journey in other classes. Always remember to have total commitment, to stay on course by paying close attention to your teachers. These are essential to a successful path in college and in life. As Ralph Bunche once said, “To make our way, we must have firm resolve, persistence, tenacity. We must gear ourselves to work hard all the way. We can never let up.” I asked one of my students, what recommendations he had for those fulfilling their college dreams. He replied, “The most important thing is to be committed, work hard and stay on course.” This student will be well on his way to a successful lifelong commitment in college and in life.