What is a lifelong lesson you learned in school?
FOCUS ON CHARACTER
One of the greatest lifelong lessons I learned in school was to focus on building character rather than simply preparing for a career. There is much more to life than earning a passing grade. Character is built through consistent effort, self-discipline and a willingness to accept guidance and correction when needed.
I also learned the value of being sociable and treating everyone with respect, because building positive relationships contributes to lifelong success. Time management and goal setting were essential lessons as well. I avoided procrastination, stayed determined and never gave up on what I set out to achieve.
I never allowed myself to be looked down upon or discouraged because my family had less than others. Instead, I stayed focused on my goals and kept moving forward.
If I could do it all over again, I would make the same choices, with one exception. I would spend a little more time studying, especially geography and history.
Hilary Gietzen
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Reading, writing and math are all necessary to living in this world.
Keep learning every day. Simple things lead to bigger things. Keep trying to improve your knowledge, one day at a time.
History is all around us. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like things are changing, but it’s the little things that matter the most.
Each day is a new beginning. Dream big! One day, your dreams may come true, so never give up. Things always work out for the best.
As you age, you are still learning new things or new ways to do something differently.
Every day is a new adventure.
Bernice Wanner
Roughrider Electric Cooperative
CHEATING ISN’T WORTH THE PAIN
Our sophomore class was soon to be given a test in biology, a heavy subject for me. My friend said, “You don’t need to study, Marilyn, the boys found the test and answers in the wastepaper basket.” The entire class seemed to be involved.
The day the test arrived, I was nervous and scared of being caught. However, I did accomplish filling out all the test questions. I purposely answered two of the questions incorrectly, so it wouldn’t be so obvious I had cheated.
As nervous and scared as I was, I never wanted to go through that ever again. It was easier to study for the test, rather than repeat that experience. That was the important lesson I learned. I never cheated nor thought of cheating ever again.
Later in other tests, some of my classmates would try to get answers from me, whispering, “What’s the answer to No. 4?” I kept my head down and ignored them.
Cheating does not pay. You’re only cheating yourself out of knowledge and learning. That was the important and lifelong lesson I learned in school.
Marilyn Messner
Cass County Electric Cooperative
THINK FOR YOURSELF
When I was growing up, I attended a country elementary school. A friend and I found a snake on the playground. My friend thought it would be a good idea to put the snake in the school principal’s desk.
Although I knew my friend had a bad idea, I went along with it anyway. We snuck in early from recess and I opened the pencil drawer of the desk while my friend carefully placed the snake inside.
Walking out of the office, I had second thoughts, but I told myself it was no big deal. Oh, how wrong I was. It was a big deal, as it turned out our principal was terrified of snakes. The moral of the story is to think for yourself. Just because someone tells you something is a good idea, doesn’t mean it is.
Karlee Rauschenberger
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
BECOME A LEADER
When I was in a country elementary school, I was bashful and had three boys as classmates, so I strived to keep ahead of them.
In high school, I was one of the country kids while the rest were city students who had grown up together. I learned to be friendly, but was still self-conscious. Gradually, I earned the respect of my classmates and graduated at the age of 16.
Lessons learned during those school years were determination, not being afraid to try new things, solving my own problems when possible and a love of learning, which all helped in my career as a teacher and later a leader in the community.
Marlene Kouba
Slope Electric Cooperative
PURSUE A CAREER
When I was in high school, a lot of teachers helped me. I informed them I wanted to go into nursing, which I did pursue as a career. They helped me with science and physics classes and brought me extra books to read.
I learned to tell your teacher what you want to do and they will help you further your education in many ways.
Carolyn Schumacher
Capital Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS
October: If you could start an ideal business for your community, what would it be and why?
Deadline for submission: Sept. 11
November: Tell us about a veteran you would like to honor.
Deadline for submission: Oct. 12
Published replies pay $25. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
