Dir. of Instruction

Advice To Students--Throw Six More

Logs On The Fire

Ah, the good old college days. College was a grand awakening, a

revelation in so many ways. For whatever reason, in the twelve grades

of elementary and secondary education, I remember it was necessary each

year to throw one or two more logs on the motivational fires in order

to be successful. This was the on ramp as one approached the

educational fast lane.

Then came college and the discovery that this was not grade 13. It was

a whole new world. No one cared whether we attended classes or not. Who

bothers taking the roll in a class of 450 students? My roommate in

college and I would marvel at how our fellow students could stop by the

room each evening and ask us if we wanted to go and watch a movie or go

to a party that someone (they didn't even know) was throwing. We'd look

at each other as much as to say, "How do they do it? We are sitting

here eyeball deep in reading, study, research, and writing. How can

they have all this time on their hands?"

It usually took about one semester to have our question answered.

Sometimes virtually every person on the floor of the dormitory would be

on academic probation or would have dropped out of college entirely. A

whole new batch of people would ask about our intentions for the

evening.

OK, so we're still talking about teenagers; but they didn't know what

to do with all this freedom and lack of supervision. They thought they

could handle it, right? Could it be that they still, at this late date,

did not have a clear and objective view of what it takes to succeed?

This was, after all, a new league in which everyone was bright.

One of the nice things about baseball is the clear cut distinction

between the quality of players in the major and minor leagues. Some

minor leaguers come to the majors with lofty credentials, huge batting

averages, and great expectations for success. They can hit 90 mph

fastballs and field ground balls with the best of them. Then they meet

"Uncle Charlie," a euphemism for a sharp breaking curveball. It looks

so tempting. It's belt high. Who couldn't hit this? Uncle Charlie,

unfortunately for the batter, breaks into the dirt. What used to be so

simple has become so difficult. It leaves one questioning his judgment

and looking so silly.

For most scholars, there is that moment of revelation when all the

pieces fit. Time spent in study isn't time taken away from things one

would rather be doing. This IS what they would rather be doing. There's

the matter of personal pride in doing well, not to mention that this is

the chance at a promising career and a successful lifestyle. It's an

"at bat" in which a "sacrifice fly" is not permitted.

Perhaps we should think of batting averages and Grade Point Averages in

the same way. My advice to college students--throw six more logs on the

fire before becoming the next unwitting victim of Uncle Charlie. Life

throws us many curveballs. It's hard enough facing a talented

opposition. Let's not strike out because we didn't take enough batting

practice or because we failed to throw six more logs on the fire.