Tell it to Janus

Right now Resolutions are evaporating as quickly as they were made. Resolutions, the New Year's kind, fade promptly but resolve lasts. With that in mind a brief look at a common college course might prove inspiring.

If you haven't taken Intro to Mythology yet here's a quick overview. Western Civilization is permeated with references to ancient gods, goddesses, demi-gods, semi-gods, deities and entities. For example the days of the week contain the names of Norse and Roman gods and the months of the year still retain a few other Roman gods' names, most notably Mars, March and Janus, January. In ancient times Janus was the go-to Deity for beginnings. Hence the first month of the year remains named in honor of him. Janus is pictured as having two faces, one looking back and one looking forward. In that distant past Roman believers seeking a blessing for an undertaking went to the temple of Janus. For an offering they obtained a key to the locked temple door from the priest. The key opened the entryway. Upon entering the seeker walked to the statue of Janus and made their entreaty. They then walked to the rear door of the temple and using the same key they unlocked that door and made their exit.

There are two significant points in this simple tale. First, Janus has two faces, watching the past as well as the future. Second, the same key opened the exit as well as the entrance. From these symbolic facts we can conclude a simple and profound lesson. The past is the key to the future. Your past is the key to your future. During this month of Janus, with a fresh start at hand, it seems wise to pause and reflect. A look at your past will tell what has been. A brief glance, no need to linger, should suffice. Has what you've been doing helped you toward your goal? For an Average Student on Planet College, for the most part yes, but, in some ways, no. You can probably sort out quickly what has worked and what hasn't.

This quick survey of your past is the key to your future.

Happy New Year From Planet College.

Pressing Ever Onward Toward Inevitible Victory.

The Planet College experience has been an international experience since college itself was devised. Exposure to cultures from around the world is one advantage, one of many, that higher education affords students.

To this end Planet College would like to present a virtual mainstay of Japanese student life. In that culture there is a head band evolved from traditional warrior apparel , a sort of Samurai doo-rag,which is often worn by students in that country when attempting a particularly difficult or important test. Those familiar with Japanese student life understand why this means that Japanese students wear these headbands, known as 'hachimaki' , nearly all the time. These types of headbands are always adorned with slogans, usually in Kanji*, like "Pressing Onward Toward Inevitable Victory". As you can see from the link the particular version displayed have a dot centrally displayed. This dot is a Japanese symbol meaning home of the Sun. ( Did you know the Sun is from Japan?) Like 'team wear' in the USA it, no doubt, has the value of promoting an indomitable attitude and solidarity with others so adorned.

If you don't feel like shelling out the bucks for one of the hachimaki in the example it should be pretty obvious you can fashion your own. All that is necessary is a clean, white handkerchief, extra large in your case, and a quick trip by the shop where that guy did your last tattoo. Those guys always know Kanji,and, if he's still in business, he can ink whatever slogan you prefer. About the dot, well, why not try your schools mascot or logo or something. But something simple. There you go. Now you are ready for your next big test, just like an old school samurai, pressing ever onward toward your own inevitable victory.

*Kanji is the Japanese written system of Chinese characters.

Don't Ask. It's a guy thing.

Gender equality has made progress in the last few decades. But there may be one area where gender equity may never be achieved. That is in asking for help. Or asking for anything for that matter.

You've probably observed this to some degree in your own life not just on Planet College. You're at the wheel, pressing through the night, driving with some female, your girlfriend or someone else's. From the passenger seat a soft voice caresses your ears. "Do you have any idea where we are?" Being a guy you say, "Sure." Whether you do or not. Your passenger remains unconvinced and suggests politely, "Why don't we stop and ask?"

No chance. Guys just don't do that.

And there is a sound biological basis for this behavior. Males, men, guys, us, are supposed to be in charge. In fact we are wired to be. We make a decision and move straight ahead, no questions asked. Females are genetically predisposed to be curious, to ask. You've probably noticed this in class. When an instructor says, "Are there any questions?" You reply silently,"Not on your life." "Besides", you think, "If no body asks any questions maybe he'll let us out early". Then from across the classroom a soft voice caresses every one's ears. " What I want to know is . . . " or " What if . . . " Or. Well, a question from a female, coed, girl, the opposite sex, one of those. While in the short term this may cause class to go on too long, at least for your schedule, asking isn't such a bad thing.

Try it. Next time you don't know something (and for most guys this is very tough to admit.) even in class. Ask. Just ask.

Who knows you might learn something. And after all this is what Planet College is for.

But wait there's still more.

Brian Armstrong is a college graduate who has some observations about college, learning and life which he has developed since graduation. You can read them here. Planet College does not disagree with Brian's over all conclusion which is specifically much of what is required on Planet College isn't useful back on Planet Earth. Essential skills such as personal finance and meeting people are not taught at all in most school systems. True enough and regrettable to say the least. Still, Planet College maintains that your higher education experience does have enduring value for average students. Among the most valuable are the friends you've made and are making through your school experience. Additionally the skills you develop negotiating the daily maze of school while working toward your degree will be permanently useful for you. Brian notes that the content of most courses is useful only for passing that course. Undeniably accurate however acquiring the content in a demonstrable manner means that your learning skills are expanded. When you have to learn something that you really will be applying you know you can do it. Finally Brian's thoughts are clearly presented in a useful manner. Brian probably learned how to do this in college. So If you choose to read and consider Brian's work remember it was written by a college graduate.

Let's Go Surfing.

Planet College offers vast choices for learning. Here's an example.


Surfing:
How To Surf A Wave In One Day*

Surfing is just one of the many, many learning opportunities available on Planet College. For those students who don't happen to have a nearby ocean or any surfing class there is still much to be learned from this video.

Watch it again carefully. The instructor presents himself clearly as capable, capable of being the instructor for this course. He also states confidently that you can learn this sport. He then emphasizes preparation, essential to success in any class. Primarily preparation begins with the proper equipment. He also illustrates the proper approach, surveying the area where the skill will be accomplished, in this case the ocean. The instructor emphasizes throughout his course your safety. He illustrates step by step the basic steps, positioning, movements and approach. He has divided the subject into small doable steps. At each step he re-emphasizes the basics.
From this series of videos an average student could probably with some determination and of course, a surfboard, wetsuit and ocean, learn to surf.

An average student could also learn from this series something else. A student could learn an effective means to approach and learn any basic subject. Go over again this instructors approach. He introduces himself and establishes his authority to be the instructor. He emphasizes safety and proper equipment. He presents the subject in simple basic steps. He reviews what has been learned at the beginning of each new lesson. He encourages the learner frequently and presents each lesson confidently. He also presents the benefits of having learned to surf for the potential student.

This basically is an effective means to teach most introductory subjects. If you have had trouble accomplishing or completing any basic course it is likely that at least some of the components listed here have been missing.

Think back to that class you finally dropped because you just couldn't 'get it.' Review it carefully. Assuming you made a sincere effort you may recall the instructor did not adequately present the subject. At least not for you.

Most instructors teach subjects they care about and are sincerely interested in their student's success. Most but not all. Occasionally, as you have seen, an instructor may have been a little sloppy, unprepared, remote, obscure or disinterested. At other times instructors are "plugged in" as last minute replacements. Frustrating as this situation can be it need not be lethal.

Reviewing this video and the presentation of the subject you now understand the basics of passing a class. When you find you are a 'little lost' in some course you really need to pass it may be that some of the basic elements outlined here are missing or under emphasized. Now that you know what it takes to present a subject effectively you can ask for help in the unclear areas. If not from the instructor perhaps from the tutoring center or even someone in your building who has passed this same course.

There is nothing more dreadful than that vague lost feeling which starts to creep up a few weeks into the term. Perhaps these basic steps might help you surf the treacherous seas of Planet College toward your graduation.

*This video was found on videojugg, 11/16/2010 and may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Just A Note Before You Go.

The traditional break is looming and so the traditional Planet College advisory about Thanksgiving applies as it does every year at this time. Read it here. Read it carefully.

What do I have to do to pass this class?

By now in the term your progress in any course you've been taking is pretty clear. Isn't it? That is you should generally understand what grade you can expect for each individual course. If you are not fairly clear about your standing, for instance, if your attendance has been spotty it is probably wise to talk with your instructor. When you do your intention is simply to find out for sure if you can expect a passing grade for her course. The procedure is simple. First find her office, if she has one and also find out her office hours. This is preferable to merely speaking with her right after class. If you feel your grade is iffy you made need a little more time. Once you find her office and hours call to make an appointment. This important because instructors time is valuable and this shows her you respect that. Remember, if you haven't spoken at all with your instructor you may have to introduce your self to her. When you go bring any class materials you may have questions about. And bring a pencil and paper. After you have established who your are tell her you want to know exactly what you have to do to get a passing grade in her class. It is likely she will have her grade book handy and will probably review it. What you want to know is are there any missing assignments still due. Also is there anything else pending that you will need to take care of for her class by the end of the term. Finally, ask her what grade you must receive on the final to assure a passing grade.

Carefully note by writing down the information she provides you with. This is your guide to a passing grade for this class. Then, follow through. Late or missing assignments, turn them in. Need at least a B on the final to pass. Study. If there is tutoring available for this course use them.

You don't want another D, F or incomplete. You don't want to have to take it over in summer school.

What ever it takes to get a passing grade go find out and do it.