Thursday, August 27, 2009

"I want an A"

With the new semester upon us, once again I have heard omitted from a few students' vocal chords: "I want an A."

Over the years I have heard this quite frequently; I have also had the pleasant experience of being threatened once or twice by students who believed that it was their right to tell their instructor the grade they will earn before ever submitting an assignment.

To all students out there: I hope you all CAN EARN AN A if this is your goal and you are willing to dedicate time and effort to reach this! TIP: You may need to check your own attitude and realize that earning an A is like achieving something of significance anywhere anytime -- it takes perseverance, hard work, hours, knowledge and dedication.

I hope it is not the case, but for those who want good grades dissociated with any effort or achievement: if earning an A would become as easy as chewing gum, then an A would have little meaning anymore.

A little over 3 week after I wrote this, an article was published in the Chicago Tribune concerning behavioral patterns in higher ed. I found this interesting -- take a look.
Dr Duly

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A Tribute - Words to Ponder

"You Are My Life"

"Once all alone
I was lost in a world of strangers
No one to trust
On my own, I was lonely
You suddenly appeared
It was cloudy before but now it's clear
You took away the fear
You brought me back to life.

"You are the sun
You make me shine
Or more like the stars
That twinkle at night
You are the moon
That glows in my heart
You're my daytime my nighttime
My world
You're my life

"Now I wake up everyday
With this smile upon my face
No more tears, mo more pain
'Cause you love me
You help me understand
That love is the answer to all that I am
And I'm a better man
You taught me by sharing your life

"You gave me strength
When I wasn't strong
You gave me hope when all hope is lost
You opened my eyes when I couldn't see
Love was always here waiting for me."

- Michael Jackson, Babyface, Carole Bayer Sager and John McClain From the 2001 Album, Invincible