So I was watching a lot of back-to-school videos on how to be an A+ student, and a lot of the tips from the videos were “chew gum when studying and then chew the same flavored gum when taking a test to get an A!!!1!” and stuff like that. It's not that I don't think that those tips are good (do whatever works for you!) but I feel like all these tips are pointless if you're not willing to put in hard work and have the right mindset. You know how at the beginning of the year you feel super excited to go to school, and you know you'll have the best grades, and you feel super motivated? But then as the year goes on, it gets more difficult to continue getting the grades you got at the beginning of the year, and you feel stressed because that “motivation” at the beginning of the year? I like to compare this to having a new car (quick note: I've never had a car before so if what I say is inaccurate, please correct me!) The beginning of the year is like having a new car. You have the motivation to “drive” you on, and because you haven't been through any tough assignments yet, it's easier to accomplish your goals and get good grades, just like how it's easier for you to drive a car because the car doesn't have any miles on it. But, as the year continues, and that “motivation” goes away, you struggle to continue getting decent grades and reaching your goals. You feel tired, and you want to give up because you feel like you can't do it anymore. As a car gets older, the battery starts to die, the tired start to wear down, and it becomes a little difficult to drive that car. So what do you have to do? You have to fix those tires and replace the battery. In your academics, you have to fix your attitude and replace your mindset. Yes, it's hard, but you cannot give up! Even though it's difficult, you must not give up. When the motivation fades, you have to put in hard work and have discipline, because those two things will be the only things that can move you forward. Of course there will be days where you need to take a break— which is fine, because we are human— but overall, you need to make sure that you continue making progress to reach whatever goal you have for yourself. So my back-to-school advice? Have discipline/the right mindset, and work hard from day one. Lol, sorry if that sounded so serious! I just wanted to make a point!
