By Maj. (Chaplain) Bob Williams, 5th Brigade
Struggling can be one of the best classes to take in gaining a good education. For me, struggling in education started in elementary school. I struggled with hard classes, poor grades, and feelings of failure. I had serious doubts about myself.
But struggling academically helped me to grow and learn from my experiences. It revealed a better person despite all my doubts and fears. I did not have a love for school. Education became more like an enemy. I struggled to make good grades and each time I moved up to the next grade, the work got progressively more difficult and I became more and more frustrated. When assigned to reading groups every year, the teacher placed me in the bottom group out of three levels. I felt trapped at the bottom of the barrel unable to get out.
But somewhere deep inside me I was determined not to quit. In my later teen years, I did earn my high school education. But what I couldn’t quite understand was, “why did I have to study twice as hard as the average person to squeak by with a “C” or maybe a “B” if I was lucky?
Then, one day in high school while reading my Bible, I read about a man named Paul. Unlike me, Paul was an academic person. Paul studied under a man named Gamaliel, one of the top scholars in all of Israel.
As I read about Paul, it dawned on me that even after he became a Christian, his life was not easy. In fact, it became harder. When he shared his beliefs in Christ, he was ridiculed, stoned, beaten, ship wrecked, laughed at, and even imprisoned. He struggled himself.
I said to myself, “If this guy could keep going despite his incredible hardships, I could too.” My understanding of Paul’s determination became the strength I needed to continue my academic struggle.
I did make it through high school and enrolled for a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va. At Fork Union, I took another preparatory year of high school classes and played football at the same time. This decision resulted in one of the best things that I could have done. At Fork Union, I learned to discipline myself to be a good Soldier and student. I learned how to study effectively.
In an article written by Michael Moynihan, “How to Help Your Son When He Is Struggling Academically” (2013, September), he suggests a six-step program which helps a person become successful.[1]
1. Insist that your child use his assignment notebook. Every day when your child gets home, check to see if he or she has assignments written down in this notebook.
2. Prepare a quiet place for your child to do homework that is free from all distractions.
3. Establish a study schedule for your child at home.
4. Consider removing all video games from the home and greatly limiting computer and screen time in general.
5. Encourage your child to exercise and require him or her to do chores around the house.
6. Contact your child’s adviser or teacher to discuss a plan to help him or her improve.
These six steps remain good tools for those who continue their life-long pursuit of learning. In the end, I learned that struggling through adversity was the best class I could take. I was determined to earn an education despite all my struggles.
Through the grace of God and hard work, I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a Master of Divinity, a Master of Counseling, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
When I need inspiration and encouragement to learn and succeed in education, I often think of my favorite scripture verse; “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). And friend, you can too!
[1] Retrieved from: http://www.heights.edu/reflections/how-to-help-when-your-son-is-struggling-academically/
Struggling can be one of the best classes to take in gaining a good education. For me, struggling in education started in elementary school. I struggled with hard classes, poor grades, and feelings of failure. I had serious doubts about myself.
But struggling academically helped me to grow and learn from my experiences. It revealed a better person despite all my doubts and fears. I did not have a love for school. Education became more like an enemy. I struggled to make good grades and each time I moved up to the next grade, the work got progressively more difficult and I became more and more frustrated. When assigned to reading groups every year, the teacher placed me in the bottom group out of three levels. I felt trapped at the bottom of the barrel unable to get out.
But somewhere deep inside me I was determined not to quit. In my later teen years, I did earn my high school education. But what I couldn’t quite understand was, “why did I have to study twice as hard as the average person to squeak by with a “C” or maybe a “B” if I was lucky?
Then, one day in high school while reading my Bible, I read about a man named Paul. Unlike me, Paul was an academic person. Paul studied under a man named Gamaliel, one of the top scholars in all of Israel.
As I read about Paul, it dawned on me that even after he became a Christian, his life was not easy. In fact, it became harder. When he shared his beliefs in Christ, he was ridiculed, stoned, beaten, ship wrecked, laughed at, and even imprisoned. He struggled himself.
I said to myself, “If this guy could keep going despite his incredible hardships, I could too.” My understanding of Paul’s determination became the strength I needed to continue my academic struggle.
I did make it through high school and enrolled for a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va. At Fork Union, I took another preparatory year of high school classes and played football at the same time. This decision resulted in one of the best things that I could have done. At Fork Union, I learned to discipline myself to be a good Soldier and student. I learned how to study effectively.
In an article written by Michael Moynihan, “How to Help Your Son When He Is Struggling Academically” (2013, September), he suggests a six-step program which helps a person become successful.[1]
1. Insist that your child use his assignment notebook. Every day when your child gets home, check to see if he or she has assignments written down in this notebook.
2. Prepare a quiet place for your child to do homework that is free from all distractions.
3. Establish a study schedule for your child at home.
4. Consider removing all video games from the home and greatly limiting computer and screen time in general.
5. Encourage your child to exercise and require him or her to do chores around the house.
6. Contact your child’s adviser or teacher to discuss a plan to help him or her improve.
These six steps remain good tools for those who continue their life-long pursuit of learning. In the end, I learned that struggling through adversity was the best class I could take. I was determined to earn an education despite all my struggles.
Through the grace of God and hard work, I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a Master of Divinity, a Master of Counseling, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
When I need inspiration and encouragement to learn and succeed in education, I often think of my favorite scripture verse; “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). And friend, you can too!
[1] Retrieved from: http://www.heights.edu/reflections/how-to-help-when-your-son-is-struggling-academically/
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