Below is an odd piece for Building Bravehearts. It is a piece I have been toying with to help address college success of students in Arkansas, where I live. I am convinced that academic ability is important, but more is needed to actually succeed in college. Notice that all seven qualities are themes throughout Building Bravehearts and can be used anywhere at no cost: character, service, passion, wisdom, mindset, relationships, and values.
Your feedback is welcome as I refine the ideas!
Deep College Prep
Only
two states and the District of Columbia have worse college graduation rates
than Arkansas. Only thirty-nine percent
of Arkansas students who begin a four year public college graduate within six
years.
What
do we do about it? How do we see more
young people spend less time, less money, learn more, and graduate often?
I grew up in rural
Kentucky with a suspect academic background.
Neither of my parents finished high school, my father only going through
eighth grade. He worked in a
factory. I should not have been one of
those who graduated from college. But,
there are some reasons that I made it, reasons that go deeper than our
traditional approach to increasing levels of graduation rates. Reasons that will work for our children.
The
Department of Education has rightly focused on strengthening the quality of
learning through elementary, middle, and high school. The University of Arkansas system and other
colleges are working with high schools, admissions, and incoming students to
build their academic abilities. These
are needed and good.
However, while increased academic quality is essential, we can’t stop there. More is needed to succeed. A student who has ability and has learned
good skills and knowledge is like a basketball player who has natural ability
and has been coached well. The player
needs that ability and those skills to play at a higher level. But, he needs a lot more to succeed. He needs things like increased commitment, harder work, teamwork, coachability, and other personal qualities. A student going to college also needs ability and skills. But, the student needs strong personal qualities to actually make it through college and graduate.
Below
are seven competencies that will help any student succeed in college. These qualities go deeper than academic
ability alone. When a student has them,
the student more often succeeds and can even overcome a weaker academic
background. With a good academic background and these deep college preparations,
our students will have successful college experiences.
First,
a student needs strong character.
Character will keep the student making good choices when away from
home. Poor choices about time, money,
and people lead to failure quickly.
Courage to do right can be learned.
Parents help children develop strong character by being examples and by making
sure their children have other adults and peers who value positive
character. As parents live out good
character, they should talk about what is important and why with their children,
even teens.
Second,
a student should focus on others.
Learning to serve others will help a student fit into a bigger
world. If a student thinks that
everything is about him and then runs into the realty in college that life
isn’t that way, he crashes and gives up.
Families and schools can encourage students to meet needs in their
community or further away. Becoming involved with people different than their
family can help students prepare for the bigger world of college.
Third,
a student should have a passion for something important. This passion will give him a direction in
college and a reason for what he is doing.
While passions may change, parents who encourage children to pursue a
purpose with heart will have children who expand their abilities, grow strong,
and do amazing things. Listen and
encourage dreams. Avoid telling a child
it is impossible or that he is too young for something big. Give him or her purpose.
Fourth,
wisdom will help a student gain respect and manage day-to-day life with friends
and finances. Wisdom is the practical
application of things we know about people and life. It says things like, “be slow to speak,” “be
slow to anger,” and tells us that words are pretty empty without actions. Expect children to pause before reacting,
think about good ways to solve problems, and to treat people right. Wisdom is a powerful gift to give children to
prepare them for college success.
Fifth,
a student with a great work ethic will make good use of money and time in
college. Not everyone will be a scholar
with straight A’s, but everyone can become the best they can be. Parents should
not let children think that grades or honors can be bought or they deserve
them. Applaud effort, not grades or
touchdowns scored. Effort will serve
students well in every situation, especially if things are hard. A student with a mindset of working hard to
make things better instead of giving up will do well in college.
Sixth,
good relationships are important for college success and life. Lone rangers can get wrapped up in their own
thoughts and not get the support that a college student needs. They are at a great risk for emotional
problems. And, much of success in
college and life depends on working with people. Help children become involved in groups and
activities in which they have an interest.
Be relentless to find a place and a group where children are doing
something they enjoy with others outside of class in school, church, or the
community.
Seventh,
a child who values education will find ways to get it and make it work. Adults in children’s lives must value
education and make sure their children know how important it is to them, both
mothers and fathers. While my parents
didn’t finish high school, I knew all of my life that education was important
to them, especially for my sister and me.
They taught us that education was the way to live a different life with
opportunity that they didn’t have. I
valued it and that value kept me going.
While
these seven ideas for deeper college preparation won’t guarantee that children
will succeed in college, they will give them a much better chance of a
wonderful college experience that ends in graduation. As parents, schools, and churches are
intentional about preparing students in these areas, deep roots grow to support
college success. At little cost and possible
for every child.
