School First

When I talk to teenagers all over America, the story is often the same: "I don't like school" or "It's boring."

The one I think may be causing the most challenges for you, is believing that school doesn't really matter!

I agree that sometimes school isn't fun and studying may seem like a waste, but you have to realize the importance of getting a good high school and college education.

I am not suggesting that everyone must go to college, but I do want to make it clear that if you choose not to get a higher education, how much that can affect your future! Staying committed to studying, working hard and getting the most out of your education will give you more opportunities for success in your life.

Let me break this down for you.Nearly one-third (33%) of all public high school students-and nearly one half (50%) of all African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans-fail to graduate from public high school with their class.

Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, on public assistance, and single parents with children who drop out of high school.

Dropouts are more than eight times as likely to be in prison compared to those with at least a high school diploma.

The average annual income for a high school dropout was $17,299 compared to

$26,933 for a high school graduate, a difference of $9,634 a year.

In today's workplace, only 40% of adults who dropped out of high school are employed.

75% of America's state prison inmates are high school dropouts.

College graduates earn on average $1 million more over a lifetime than do high school dropouts.

The reason I share these statistics with you is to show you what you are up against! This is what the statistics say can happen to you if you don't complete your high school education or more.

Many students, myself included, may believe that school "isn't for them", or that they tried but, "they just can't get good grades". Some students even think that they aren't smart enough to get good grades!

I am here to tell you that you are smart enough! You can get good grades if you try hard and you go the extra mile! As a teenager today, you are smarter than ever! The challenge is that you also have more distractions than ever.

My question for you is: How committed are you to your school work? Do you study your math book as much as your play book? Do you spend as much time learning your lines for the school play or music concert as you do for your science test? Do you spend as much time studying as you do on Facebook or MySpace? I think I got you there!

That is how I know you are smart enough. I have seen teens work on the computer! You can upload and down load, use a jump drive, transfer files, and do some amazing things with computers. I have seen you use your PDA's, iPhones and Blackberry's with quickness and ease! You work iTunes and YouTube (you can check me out on mrmojotravisbrown) as a part of your daily lives, while your parents still can't figure out how to download the pictures from their digital camera to their computer. That proves how smart you are! So how are you going to use it?

Here is my challenge to you. Mojo Makers strive to be successful in all areas of their life, and getting A's and B's is another one! So here is how we do

this:

1. Set a goal to get ALL A's and B's! Your goal should be to always maintain A's and B's, because you can do it!

2 .Commit to study every day. Now that doesn't mean for hours and hours, but every day when you come home, get in the habit of taking 30 minutes to review all your work from that day and make sure you have completed your assignments.

If you are struggling, get help! There is nothing wrong with getting a tutor to help you strengthen your weakness. In the business world they are called coaches. They help you succeed! They can help jumpstart a career, and you can jumpstart your grades if you take the time to let someone help you.

I believe if you will do these three things that this will help you make sure you graduate and get the best education you can get. I challenge you to go to college and finish it too!

Tip: If your parents didn't go to college, it doesn't mean you can't! Be the change for your family and set an example as a first generation college graduate!