The 6 Pillars of Academic Success

For some, scholastic achievement comes naturally. For many, it takes hours of diligent study and hard work.

I wrote this guide because I want to help the aforementioned group succeed with less difficulty and with more ease and flow. I don't stress the importance of education because I think everyone should go to college, graduate, and end up doing a 9 to 5 in a cubicle farm. I do it because, unfortunately, I made a lot of mistakes and wrong turns that could have been avoided if I'd just paid a little more attention in school and cared just a little bit more about my education and the work involved.

We all know that the very reason we learn in the first place is because, "The more you learn, the more you're able to learn." That's the whole point. We're not taught Algebra in school because it's something we will undoubtedly use in our careers, we learn it to develop the mental muscles that WILL be required for such things as problem solving. But that's just an example.

Take a good look at the kind of student you are right now and analyze your past and current levels of academic achievement. How are your grades? Have they gotten increasingly better, worse, or have they stayed the same?

Whatever your answer, it's also important to ask yourself, Why? Why are things the way they are? Do you lack interest? Is it motivation? Do you make the grades you do because you're unintelligent? You can go ahead and toss that excuse out the window because it's just not true. I believe that everyone can be a success. So, what is it? It's important that you find out.

I told you earlier that my reason for writing this manual is because I wanted to help you. And that's true, but here's the biggest reason why: EDUCATION = OPTIONS. These days no one wants to hire you unless you have some sort of education. That could mean a college degree, a certification, or experience in a trade. Without an education, whether it is formal or otherwise, you find yourself with fewer choices. And who doesn't like having options? Acquire the basic skills necessary for academic success and windows of opportunity will open up before you.

"A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others." -Latin Proverb