A colleague of mine asked me to speak to a group of her first-year college students. I agreed and we talked about a set of simple rules to set the tone of the class and reasonable expectations going forward. Then she and I came up with the following simple rules which seemed appropriate and would serve many beyond the bounds of the classroom. Following the presentation, students then created their own short lists. Yes, simple rules are personal; AND they are universal, too.
Simple Rules for Every Student
- Always do your homework; be prepared – in fact, shoot for over-prepared.
- Work and play well with others; reach out and develop strong, lasting relationships. You never know when that give-and-take and common support will benefit one or both of you.
- Go for extra credit; do more than you have to and exceed expectations. People will always remember how you treated them.
- Never stop learning; everywhere you look there are opportunities for growth and development. There is always a takeaway if you look for it.
- Don’t skip recess; take the time for reflection, discovering purpose, a good stretch, and a turn at bat.
