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Pursuit of Academic SuccessA Personal Pers ective
Marolo C. Alfaro, P.Eng., Ph.D.Civil Engineering Professor
University of Manitoba
Filipino-Canadian Students in Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools April 19, 2008
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Inspirational example . . . . .
Thomas Edison inventor of light bulbs
I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in
terms of the service it might give others... I find out what
the world needs, then I proceed to invent....
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Learning from Thomas
He had his goal set to develop
light bulbs
thousand trials
Had ositive attitude towards
failures
He was open to new ideas
and easily accepted changes
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
erseverance and determination
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Parental su ort
Professors guidance
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
Perseverance and determination
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Professors guidance
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If you want to get somewhere
.
Then a couple of things parents kept on
. . . . .
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Focus on what you are doing.
-
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Finish what you are doing.
Avoid procrastinating. (maana habit)
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
Perseverance and determination
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Professors guidance
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you wan o ge somew ere you ave o nowwhere you want to go and how to get there.
, , .
Norman Vincent Peale
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In your pursuit of academic
success,
there are only few smooth rides.
Most often you will hit many bumpy roads.
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There is no giant step that does it.
s a o o e s eps.
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
Perseverance and determination
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Professors guidance
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Edisons tests of light bulbs Many failures!
When you fail, you learn whats not working.
.
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Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever
achieve greatly.
- .
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
erseverance an eterm nat on
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Parental su ortProfessors guidance
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This does not mean you are giving up your dreams.
, .
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A closing door . . .
could mean an open window.
Unexpected changes areopportunities in disguise.
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
erseverance an eterm nat on
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Parental su ortProfessors guidance
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Theres hel . . . . . when ou need it
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Theres a lending
hand when you fall.
Theres encouragement
.
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Parents effective Way of Teaching - Go Fishing!
Give a man a fish, he has food for the day.
Teach him how to fish, he has food all the days
of his life.(Author unknown)
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Responsibilities and Expectations
Planning your course
erseverance an eterm nat on
Positive attitude on failures
Preparation of Plan B
Professors guidance
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Think of professors asguide on the side
Not as sage on the stage
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Students are expected to pass exams
ro essors test t e
students what they know,not what the do not know.
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Students must demonstrate they are ready to carryout theirpersonal and professional responsibilities
expec e rom em a er gra ua on.
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In teachin ou will learn in learnin ou will teach.
Teaching and learning works in both ways.
(a line from a song of a Disney movie, TARZAN)
.
, .
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Perception on Education
Your brain is NOT areceptacle of information.
Information is NOT education.
Education is what remains after the information
that has been taught is forgotten.
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Prof. John Burland, a civil engineer responsible
for saving the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The soul and spirit of education is that habit of
mind which remains when students have
comp e e y orgo en every ng ey ave ever
been taught. (Burland 1987)
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Dr. David Suzuki, an environmental scientist
energy and of reversing global climate change
Almost all the information from my college science
courses is hopelessly out-of-date, inaccurate and
rre evant. et st use s s earne t en. at s
because the emphasis was on process, not nickel-
knowled e facts. Suzuki 1987
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In your Pursuit of Academic Success
You are expected to:
Set your goals with focused heart and mind
Persevere and dont give up easily
Learn from your failures Prepare for back-up plans if door is closed
Expect support and guidance from: Elders
Teachers
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n ===i ii
pXPp)X(E1
Expectation =Sum of
each of the res onsibilit x(the probability of responsibilities being done) }
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