Being a good student

If knowledge is power, why do we waste it? 

If knowledge is a gift, why do we throw it away or not even accept it?

This blog is about being a good student.  Not just a good academic student, or Taekwondo student.  I’m talking about being a good student for everything in life.  Whenever you have an opportunity to learn something new from a teacher. 

So when I use the word “teacher” I mean anyone that is imparting knowledge or skill or information to you.  This could be a coach, teacher, instructor, friend, mentor, guest speaker or even your own student.

So here is Master Mast’s top 5 strategies to use in becoming a good student, and a few things to avoid.

Things to DO to become a good student

• 1.       Have a curious mind.  Be inquisitive, ask questions.  Don’t try to be a know-it-all.  Be motivated.  Motivation is the mental spark that energizes a person for action[1].
• 2.       Be disciplined.  Set up and stick to regular study/practice habits.
• 3.       Be malleable and coachable.  Be open to change and willing and ready to MAKE that change when directed to do so.  Clay is just a formless, shapeless lump when left alone.  But when picked up, and formed, squeezed, pushed, pulled, fired, and painted, it becomes beautiful pottery.  Even stone can even be shaped into art.  But the human mind and attitude will remain unchanged, undeveloped, if attitude and willingness prevent it.
• 4.       Study and seek additional information outside the classroom.  Try to fill in the gaps, or reinforce what you already learned.
• 5.       Listen!  Really listen.  Actively listen.  Don’t just wait for your turn to talk.  Show the teacher you understand or don’t understand as they speak.  Be attentive.  Show respect with your facial expressions and body language.  Teachers respond to the energy in a room so be a source of good energy.

Things to AVOID as a good student

• 1.       Don’t be disruptive. 
• 2.       Failure to study
• 3.       Being a show-off or know it all.  Even if you’re the expert in the room, show respect, humility and dignity to the speaker.  Try to learn one new thing.  Or a variation on something you already know.  Impossible?  Then try to meet someone new.  Make a new contact or friend in the room.

Are these lists complete?  Of course not.  But they're a good starting point.

I’ve taught in one capacity or another for my entire adult life.   As a paramedic, I taught new paramedics during their classroom and initial field training.  I taught doctors, nurses, dentists and other paramedics in specialized training courses such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), and good old fashioned Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). 

When I was at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) here in Atlanta, I taught public health professionals how to respond to and operate in emergency and disaster situations.  And now I have the amazing, fun privilege of teaching all of you.

Always be grateful for a teacher who cares.  Someone who pushes you, wants you to improve.  Teachers teach because they like, love, believe in the material they are presenting.  They like sharing it.

Being a good student doesn’t mean you’re the best.  Or the smartest.  Or the fastest.  It just means you have good habits and an open mind.

So be a good student and I’ll see you on the mat!

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[1] Teaching Martial Arts.  The Way of the Master, Sang H. Kim