"Learning How to Study" prose for Friday Writings

[click on picture for larger viewing -- our grade school, I am the boy in back]

I learned the hard way how to pay attention when a speaker is trying to make a point that we should know and learn.

Pay attention to the teacher, read the book, take notes!! I grew up on a farm and didn't plan on going to college. Probably do something related to agriculture after high school graduation. 

That all changed when a brownish post card came in the mail. It was from the University of Nebraska saying that I had been awarded a Regents Scholarship for five eights of my tuition, $50 a semester for four years.  

The kicker was that I must keep at least a "C" average to keep it. My grades slipped down; I decided that I must drop out so that some day I could get back in school later if I decided to. 

Later I was drafted into the Army, in my third year I opted a forty-three-week school.  It was for the maintenance and operation of a NIKE Hercules Missile Control Systems.   Three different radars and a van full of computers and consoles. I graduated third in my class of forty-some GIs.  Two officers had better grades; maybe I wasn't really "Dumb".

Towards the beginning an instructor taught me how to study.  Start with taking notes of the material being presented and from the books, then study the notes by reducing them to fundamentals, like an expanded outline.  Review these new pages and study to master items that give trouble.  Finally review before exams. An added benefit of taking notes is using another sense, of seeing what was being said, to that of hearing. 

I realized that since I needn't study in high school to make good grades, but in college I surely did. Seven years later I went back to college and after twenty more years I finished school with three degrees. 

Then I began teaching college and stayed twenty-two years until I retired. In my classes' beginnings when I found students not taking notes I'd tell them this story I've just told you. 

Worked for me, pay attention to the teacher, read the book, take notes and study them. I'm still doing that, even for church sermons. Two senses.

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 - Photo and Prose Writing  Copyright, Jimmiehov 2023, All Rights Reserved 

 - I am linked with Magaly Guerrero for her Friday Writings #74 at  

    https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/?m=1 

 - Magaly's optional prompt is "all about the act of paying attention." in 369 or less words, I have exactly 367.  

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April -- NaPoWriMo 2023 Day 23 -- an "Old Friends" write

   

         Reminiscing; Way Back 

I. 

(The agenda, Jim D and Jim H, Facebooking) 

II.

Well, Jimmie H, how are things going for you way down in Texas?

It's been a long time since we parted, I'm retired and stayed here in Newport Beach.  

Wish we could get hold of Old Rosie, I miss her a lot.

III.

Yes, she was quite a gal.  You were her boy toy before there ever was a name for that relationship. I miss her too.  For an across the hall neighbor, we couldn't have found a better.  

IV. 

I've been reading your posts, I am glad you found each other.  I could have arranged that if I knew you guys had gone a really long way apart.  

Oh yes, I miss you all too, "Miss Rosie of the 50's" is here almost sniffling." 

V. 

Rose, you are making me feel bad, I doubt any of us will ever get together again.  Distance makes good memories but that's about all.  Jim H, could we do something about this, just one more time get-together.  

VI.

Let's pick a halfway destination and a time.  The word "can't" is not in my thoughts if I can help.  All right, Rose, Jim D, how does Salt Lake City or Crested Bute, Colorado sound?  

Choices?

VII. 

(Silence) 

VIII. 

All right, I have memories of Crested Bute, we'll go there.  A date? 

IX.

Any Month that has a fifth Thursday, let's see, next month, Guys?  

X.

(Simultaneously, both Jims) Fine, fine, meet at the motel TBD. 

XI.

Rose, you pick the motel, there's either the Red Rooster Inn or Mama's B&B; and now deep pocket guy Jimmie D, you pick up the Hotel tab.

XII.

(In unison)  Cheers to our old abode!!!

(Silence all, computers darkened) 

                 _ _ _ 

- Photo and Script Writing Copyright, Jimmiehov 2009 and 2023 respective, All Rights Reserved 

- I have linked with NaPoWriMo, National Poetry Writing Month, Day 23 at 

    https://www.napowrimo.net/day-twenty-three-9/ 

- The prompt deal there, "Now, try to write a poem of your own that has multiple numbered sections. Attempt to have each section be in dialogue with the others, like a song where a different person sings each verse, giving a different point of view. Set the poem in a specific place that you used to spend a lot of time in, but don’t spend time in anymore."  

 - Note:  The "apartment" photo is a hotel on the beach at Etretat, France.  Read about our 2009 visit here, 

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