According to Merriam Webster's online dictionary, failure is defined as: lack of success, along with a few other antonyms, synonyms and descriptors.
I'm sure you have your own words to describe or define the meaning of this "ominous" word, and its connotation.
So, what is it?
Typically, failure can refer to a state of being--it is a sense of worry that accompanies some kids at the start of each new school and at times throughout the year.
The fear of: I don't want to get an "F" or I don't want to flunk the quiz, or what have you.
And, I would agree, no one wants to: fail, flunk, score poorly, feel unhappy over a grade, and so on.
It is especially difficult if one has prepared for a quiz or test, and the paper is returned with a "F", but usually that is not the case. And if it is, chances are you may have an opportunity to "try" again.
Consider the failure a gift.
First off, the reality is EVERYONE will fail at something, at one time or another in their life.
Yet, the failure that arrives is nothing more than an opportunity to try again--better--stronger--with fuller conviction.
The greater issue is--
What will you do when you receive your first "F"?
Will you fold under?
Throw it out?
Hide the paper?
Argue for points?
Change an answer and tell the teacher she made a mistake?
Claim the teacher didn't tell you or teach it well enough?
Say you were absent?
You just never understood it?
While a few of the above may be true, and yes schools are now changing--that's all the more reason to work harder than ever.
What can you do?
Will you study a failed quiz to learn from the mistakes?
Work extra hard for the next quiz?
Seek clarification?
The decision is yours, because "academic resilience" is what is at stake.
Too often students freeze under such situations, and find themselves crippled.
Instead, face it head on-with defiance- and learn from it.
"Success," as Winston Churchill once said, " is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm."
Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
And I am sure by now you all have heard about the wonderful educational system in Finland, and "the smartest kids in the world--and how they got there," written by Amanda Ripley.
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| Amanda Ripley |
The author had many, many things to say--certainly thought provoking ideas.
One theme she discovered as she collected data and researched the issue of global education was how a particular culture's children react to failure, "..they knew what it felt like to fail, work hard and do better..."
And though today's educational system is under flux and those around the world are being watched and studied, you the student, still need to do your part.
That will never change.
Receiving a poor grade is not the end, but the beginning of learning a new skill.
Don't give up. And don't beg for a good grade. Earn it!!
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| Children in a Finnish School |
The bottom line kids is: You are in school to learn. You are lucky to attend a school, regardless of where it may be.
It is up to you to do the learning.
It is up to you to take the responsibility.
No matter what- no excuses-- you WANT to do well, it matters in ways you may not yet know, but it matters.
In the end it is up to you. You decide what works best for you in your current situation. I've given you a few things to think about: some new and some old.
So, here's to your next quiz or test, or paper.
May you learn to love learning, and if you should fail, may you learn to learn from that experience.
Be well kids!
The Teach
