One of the core qualities any successful student exhibits is respect for teachers and peers. How can you excel in your KCSE or KCPE if you do not accord due respect to your teachers?
Teachers’ assistance is necessary for most students and especially the beginners. Dr. Isaac Watts points out, “Books are a sort of dumb teachers, they point out the way to learning: but if we read under any doubt or mistake, they cannot answer sudden questions, or explain present doubts and difficulties.”
As a student, you are supposed to attend all classes with constancy and care to listen to .In case you have missed a class due to unavoidable reasons, ensure you compensate that loss by doubling your study efforts. Follow up with the students to establish what was taught. Collect and review the notes, read extensively other text books related to the subject. This will help cement the points and principles to your brain. Discuss with your teacher and fellow students if you encounter any challenge in course of your studies. You should never satisfy yourself with mere attendance on the classes of your teacher, unless you clearly take up the sense and meaning, and understand the things which he/she teaches.
Be keen with your manners and behave well so as to gain the love and the listening ear of your teacher as well as your peers. This will give you freedom to ask questions and discuss your own sentiments, doubts and difficulties with him/her.
Endeavour to maintain a respectful opinion of your teacher and heedfully listen to his instructions, as one willing to be led by a more experienced guide.
Two tips on how to engage teachers in-case you have wronged them:
1. Sincerely apologize if you ever wronged the teacher.
This is one of the most the most important thing to do in order to get off the trap of enmity. An apology will set you free from guilt and regrets, only if you do it genuinely and warmly.
2. Avoid anything that would make you rub shoulders with the teacher.
Teachers are human beings with feelings and emotions. Some hold grudges; others forgive.
In that line, avoid any activity-done in a group or otherwise that would make you lock horns with the same teacher.
This will ensure there is no reason they would find to disturb your piece. You will therefore find it easy to knock their door and surprise them with questions which you could not answer during your group discussion.
An excerpt from the book “Smart Way to Improve your Mind and Grades”. Quoted with permission.
