SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2011
OUR BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION!

The Character-Driven Student Yields Success

Understanding the morals of life’s lessons builds character. The character-driven student will embrace the responsibility of being a well-rounded student and mature into a multi-dimensional, thoughtful citizen.

Establish the student’s expectations for the school year --- guided by a character-driven tone!

Service

There are three components of a socially successful student. One of them is service. Service to school and service to the greater community cannot be underestimated. It fast tracks you to all-around success. Service by definition is social, because you are interacting and helping society in some way. Service enhances character development, and character development from within the student is a precedent for scholastic success. If you don’t have good character yet, you are not doomed. You can acquire it through a conscious and deliberate routine of good-character habits. Try it out and volunteer a set amount of hours to your school’s local soup kitchen or to a senior citizen’s center. Practice makes perfect, but practice also changes you. You are what you do. Do good to be good!

Scholastic

In order to garner good study habits so that you may be a successful student, you must acquire a certain level of character. Indeed, you need character to take on the discipline of study. How can you help yourself succeed scholastically? First, make attending classes, the library, and studying your first priority. If you are in unhealthy relationships with people that discourage academic success, developing rigorous study habits will be their antidote – watch them go their own ways.

Next, make friends with those who want to succeed. How can you tell? They are also in the library studying. Now, your study-partners will be your friends in other areas of school and after-school. Together, you will all succeed!

Social Success

Having clear standards of what is best behavior leads to social success, and what behavior leads to failure. First, look successful. The look you choose expresses who you are. Dress successfully. Are tight jeans a successful look? Is it appropriate to wear jogging pants to class? Think about wearing a pair of casual slacks to your morning class instead. You will look the part, like a student. Next, use successful language, which includes “please, may I, thank you, and I’m sorry.” It does not include swearing. Finally, associate with successful people. Are they headed where you hope to be in four years? That answer will guide you in staying on your path to social success.

What Our Clients are Saying

“... Dageanna feels proud every time she tells family & friends about dressing proper & baking, etc. I noticed how she wants to set the table, how she sits straight. She takes her time now when she talks, and she even puts the proper words when needed.”

Anonymous- Parent of student

“ It teaches you how to speak, it made me more independent, responsible, how I talk, oh, actually how I speak, how I dress, how I present myself in front of certain people, how not to look stupid in situations and to use for everyday life. ”

Destinie - Previous Student

“ This club, the etiquette club (Ms. Whitaker) has taught me how to dress on different occasions. Whether business, formal, casual...Even when I’m at home my etiquette skills play a roll when I’m setting the table, making my tea (stirring my tea), I can go on and on. In brief this club has made a physical, and mental change in me from Day one. ”

Marzina - Previous Student

Feedback

So, what’s on your mind? We would love to hear your thoughts on the newsletter, website, program material, how you found us, or anything you would like to share!

Contact Us

Thurston Whitaker Information Services
PO Box 271743
West Hartford, CT 06127
860.404.0339, office
860.404.0571, fax
sy@thurstonwhitaker.com
www.ThurstonWhitaker.com