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Explanation of the importance of good character for students - Tricks for Good Grades: Strategies to Succeed in School. Also refer to teachers, friends, tests, homework, honesty, honorable, reliable, responsible, lie, cheat, steal, lazy, reputation, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Having Good Character in School
by Ron Kurtus (2 June 2002)
Great people are usually judged by their character. Make sure that your character is great. Having good character means that you have such admirable traits as honesty, responsibility and courage. It is beneficial for you to have good character. Being honorable and honest in the work you do and in your relations to others is essential in your life. Having an honorable character also provides you with personal benefits and can enhance your grades.
Questions you may have include:
- What does having character mean?
- What are the benefits to a student?
- How does a student show character?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
What character is
"Character" is sort of a catch-all word that describes your characteristic traits. If someone says you have character, it usually means that you are honorable and honest, have integrity, are courageous, and are reliable and responsible.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are students who lie, cheat, or steal. They may also be lazy, unreliable or inconsiderate of others. Some are cowards.
The phrase "He (or she) is quite a character" usually refers to an extreme or unique personality. You can be considered quite a character if you dress and act in your own unique manner that is different than most everyone else. You can be quite a character but still have character by being honest, reliable and determined.
It is obvious that honesty and integrity is important. The same is true for reliability and other forms of character, such as being courageous or brave. The student must be ethical and conscientious in his or her work. This is especially important when working on a team.
Having an honorable character is a natural progression from being healthy, skilled, excellent, and valuable in school.
Benefits
Being a student of high character is important to your relationship with your teachers and other students, as well as your own self-worth.
If you are known as an honest and honorable student, as well as a person who is reliable and responsible, you will be respected by those with whom you deal. Fellow students, teachers and your parents will trust you, know they can depend on you, and want you involved in their activities.
People don't like to deal with someone who lies, steals or is lazy. Even your best friend can get turned off by such behavior.
Another important factor is that the honorable student has a greater self-esteem. You feel good about yourself. Finally, there is the religious aspect of being honest, moral and ethical.
Maintain character
You should take care of yourself to assure you have good character. Your actions determine what people think of you and establish your reputation. They also determine how others will respond to what you do and say.
The way to have good character is to always make sure that you are honest, honorable and forthright. Make sure there is no implication of dishonesty in any form.
You should also seek to be considerate of others and conscientious in your work. This doesn't mean that you have to be perfect, but it does mean that you are trying to be someone of high character.
Finally, there is being courageous enough to take a stand to help those in need or to try something new.
Summary
You need to be honest and reliable. Your reputation affects how people deal with you. Having good character results in others respecting you and increases your own esteem. Having character requires a constant effort.
Always do the right thing
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Good Grades
Top-rated books on Good Character
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Is it OK to copy someone else's work and say that you did it?
2. Is it acceptable to lie to people to get more donations for your school charity drive?
3. Suppose you are so conscientious that other students take advantage of you?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a champion student. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Having Good Character in School