1. Activities
What you choose to do the night before school greatly impacts your ability to be successful the next day when you are at school. Just because you are physically present in a seat and in a classroom does not automatically mean your mind is available for learning and growing. Make wise choices. Make a decision to postpone late night activities, addicting video games and social drama until the weekends, the summer, or even after graduation :)
2. Attendance
Coming to school EVERY SINGLE DAY is super important! You cannot be prepared to turn in assignments, pass courses and pass SOL tests if you aren't placing yourself in the classroom every day. Reduce the struggle and the scramble as you near the end by doing what you need to do every step along the way.
3. Attitude
Herein lies the SECRET POWER to help or to hurt. The attitude you CHOOSE to have not only has a direct impact on your own learning but also on the learning of those around you. Help yourself and help others. Too many times I see this become a tremendous barrier to a student's own learning.
4. Attention
What you FOCUS on when you are at school is still a DECISION you make. Spend your time focused on the many things that are offered to you in the school setting as you move toward your goal of graduation and a successful future. Stare intently (with both eyes) at your goal and don't let a temporary twinkle nearby tempt you to leave the path you have chosen to walk when you were making healthy plans.
5. Academics
This is the actual success that is displayed on your report card, in your SOL scores and on your DIPLOMA when you you walk across the stage at graduation. When you address the first 4 A's listed above, you will find success here. You will deserve to feel very proud and many people will be very proud of you as well.
6. Association
Choose your friends wisely. You will begin to look, sound, and act like the people you spend the most time with. Take a look at your "friends". Will looking and sounding and acting like them help you to reach your goals? If you don't think so...take action! Make new friends. Surround yourself with people that will help you be better.
Mrs. James's Five A's for School Success was created by Rene James, 2014