Faith Meets Life: The 12 SBBS
In 1939 a book appeared called Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism (I'm relying on Wikipedia for this information on Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Step Program). Since then AA has not only helped countless people dealing with alcohol addiction but has also spawned many other groups who use the 12 Steps to deal with other issues. Gamblers Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous are among the many such groups.
I have not heard, though, of any 12 Step Program designed specifically for students who spend too much time avoiding study. In saying this, I am not trying to make light of the serious problems that AA and its sister groups address. I am just making a modest suggetion that a 12 Step approach might help some become better students.
So here, with the end of the school year not far down the road, I offer 12 Steps to Being a Better Student in case that might help you prep for exams and get assignments done on time. Each of the 12 SBBS is adapted from AA's orginal 12 Steps.
First, we can admit that the temptation to avoid study is powerful and that we have a hard time managing our lives in a way that respects the importance of learning.
Second, we can recognize that a Higher Power greater than ourselves can help us, and we can call this power, God.
Third, we can make a decision to turn over a new leaf and ask God to bring us to a path of greater sanity. (AA follows the word “God” with the phrase “as we understand him.”) It's interesting to note that the word “sanity” has as its root meaning cleansing and health. In other words, we can decide to be better students and ask God's help to follow through on the decision.
Fourth, we can take a serious moral inventory of ourselves. Perhaps we allow laziness or negativity towards our studies or an instructor affect our commitment to study.
Fifth, we can admit to God and to another person what our issues are. For some people saying a simple prayer help like, “Help me to be a better student,” will be helpful. It is also important to tell another person that you are trying to improve so that that person can encourage you, maybe asking from time to time, “So, are you spending more time studying?”
Six, we can be “entirely ready” to have God remove defects of character (such as laziness, negativity or cynicism) that prevent us from doing well in school (and elsewhere).
Seventh, we can ask God to remove those defects. You might notice that step seven builds on six. In fact, each step builds on the previous ones.
Eight, we can make a list of the instructors or assignments that we have put off or perhaps even ridiculed.
Nine, we can make ammends by connecting with instructors who may still accept a late assignment and catching up on work we haven't done.
Ten, we can continue to take inventory of personal habits and shortcomings that negatively impact an appropriate level of study.
Eleven, we can continue through prayer and meditation to ask God for improvement and strength, perhaps asking him to direct our study not only so that we will have greater personal fulfillment, but also that we may be able to help others through what we are learning.
Twelve, we can encourage others, simply by way of example, to also give appropriate attention to learning and education, during college and beyond.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I have not heard, though, of any 12 Step Program designed specifically for students who spend too much time avoiding study. In saying this, I am not trying to make light of the serious problems that AA and its sister groups address. I am just making a modest suggetion that a 12 Step approach might help some become better students.
So here, with the end of the school year not far down the road, I offer 12 Steps to Being a Better Student in case that might help you prep for exams and get assignments done on time. Each of the 12 SBBS is adapted from AA's orginal 12 Steps.
First, we can admit that the temptation to avoid study is powerful and that we have a hard time managing our lives in a way that respects the importance of learning.
Second, we can recognize that a Higher Power greater than ourselves can help us, and we can call this power, God.
Third, we can make a decision to turn over a new leaf and ask God to bring us to a path of greater sanity. (AA follows the word “God” with the phrase “as we understand him.”) It's interesting to note that the word “sanity” has as its root meaning cleansing and health. In other words, we can decide to be better students and ask God's help to follow through on the decision.
Fourth, we can take a serious moral inventory of ourselves. Perhaps we allow laziness or negativity towards our studies or an instructor affect our commitment to study.
Fifth, we can admit to God and to another person what our issues are. For some people saying a simple prayer help like, “Help me to be a better student,” will be helpful. It is also important to tell another person that you are trying to improve so that that person can encourage you, maybe asking from time to time, “So, are you spending more time studying?”
Six, we can be “entirely ready” to have God remove defects of character (such as laziness, negativity or cynicism) that prevent us from doing well in school (and elsewhere).
Seventh, we can ask God to remove those defects. You might notice that step seven builds on six. In fact, each step builds on the previous ones.
Eight, we can make a list of the instructors or assignments that we have put off or perhaps even ridiculed.
Nine, we can make ammends by connecting with instructors who may still accept a late assignment and catching up on work we haven't done.
Ten, we can continue to take inventory of personal habits and shortcomings that negatively impact an appropriate level of study.
Eleven, we can continue through prayer and meditation to ask God for improvement and strength, perhaps asking him to direct our study not only so that we will have greater personal fulfillment, but also that we may be able to help others through what we are learning.
Twelve, we can encourage others, simply by way of example, to also give appropriate attention to learning and education, during college and beyond.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
