It’s baseball season! Former American Major League Baseball manager, Yogi Berra, was one of the most often quoted celebrities around the world. He was considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Despite only having an eighth-grade education, Berra kept an optimistic attitude. In short, Yogi Berra was no quitter. What kind of advice would he have for students?
Yogi Berra: A Study Skills Teacher Reimagined
1. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
This may sound like a foregone conclusion but many people give up well before it’s over. While there is still even the slightest chance of success, we must try to succeed. If you look for an excuse to quit, you will surely find it, but if you are always looking to press on toward the goal, more often than not you will make it to the end.
2. “Never answer an anonymous letter.”
Just like you wouldn’t answer a letter or a phone call without knowing who it’s from, you shouldn’t go into a test without being prepared fully. Read and study the assigned texts and be so comfortable with your subject that you can answer any possible question. Don’t rely on luck to pass an exam; leave nothing to chance, and make sure you have covered all bases when it comes to knowing the topic of the exam.
3. “I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.”
Take a break now and then. All study is worthwhile, but you can overdo it. Trying to cram everything in without taking a rest now and then will only leave you tired. Being tired equals stress, and stress equals poor results. Put in your schedule a time to take a walk, get something to eat, and say hello to a friend. It helps your studying to plan a break into your schedule.
4. “You can observe a lot by watching.”
Many people look but they do not see. The thing to remember is that you should be present in class so that you can observe what is being taught. Don’t just show up, but be present! You would be surprised how much you will pick up just by paying attention in class. Take it a step further and discuss what you’ve observed with a friend and you will retain even more of the material. Get in the game! Just by being present and focusing, you can learn a lot.
5. “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
You have to go to class; you may as well learn something! You are wasting your time if you just turn up to class and don’t prepare by pre-reading and doing homework as required. You’ve heard it over and over again from teachers and parents – go to class, do your homework, study, and be prepared. These are the keys to success!
6. “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going because you might not get there.”
Many students take their example from those students who seemingly don’t study and always score high in exams. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can get there without studying. The people who score well in exams seemingly without studying usually have studied the entire material at a previous time, or they have learned the subject before taking that course. People who know where they are going can be confident that they are proceeding in the right direction. If you don’t study and learn the material, don’t expect to get a good grade.
7. “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up somewhere else.”
When you don’t have a goal and you don’t know where you want to end up, you will likely settle for any outcome that seems reasonable. Sometimes you might find yourself accepting an outcome you didn’t want or expect. Before you set out on a journey, it is vital to set a goal. Make a series of small achievable steps towards achieving that end goal. Once again, if you know where you are going, you won’t stop until you have arrived at your destination. If you don’t have a goal, you might wind up with something you didn’t want or never expected.
8. “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
Opportunity knocks but once, so take advantage of it when it does. Get a good education in school, and go on to college and graduate school. A good education is available to virtually everyone now. Avoid situations that turn you away from your opportunity to learn, as they are trying to steal your future; do not allow this. Your future is yours, not your friends who want to goof off. In high school, do your work and learn; in college, take advantage of loans and scholarships. Remember, if you have the opportunity to study and get a good education, take it!
Summary
Yogi Berra’s quotes are worth committing to memory – or at the very least, posting next to your favorite spot to study. His success came from holding on to a positive attitude and never giving up on his goals. We can only imagine what heights he might have reached had he been able to continue his education. Reach for the highest goals in your life and don’t stop after you’ve reached them. Hold on to a positive attitude, like Yogi Berra, and do all that is required of you to achieve your dreams and your goals in your life.
For more advice to help your student succeed in school, learn how to create effective study habits.