The Importance of Personal Responsibility for College Success Edward P. Cormier GEN/200 - Foundations For General Education And Professional Success December-3, 2012 Dr. Nicholas Konrad Langlie The Importance of Personal Responsibility for College Success From day one, the military instills a virtue of personal responsibility in its members. Failure is not an option for these warriors. They do what they need to do to overcome any obstacle in their way. To adapt and overcome is their battle cry. With flexibility being too rigid, they are as fluid as the oceans they patrol. This tenacity translates perfectly into academia. Even though unexpected events can affect ones plans, personal responsibility can lead to college success because staying focused on set goals increases their chances of reaching academic goals. According to Pater and Remmo (2012) “Personal responsibility (PR) is like the weather: There is a lot of talk about it, but little effective action. While many leaders want to imbue workers with this ethic, most don't know how to make it so. This gap is like an unacknowledged elephant in the safety culture room. If only all workers would watch out for themselves, not make excuses nor blame circumstances when something negative occurred, and adjust appropriately as conditions change rather than getting angry or pleading helplessness.” (p. 26). Anyone can discuss personal responsibility, but until they put their words into actions it means nothing. There is no class that can force you to complete the assignments or study for the test. Making a personal commitment to confront the assigned task Personal responsibility is directly to college success. Without a conscious effort to maintain a balance in life, wasted energy on rework will slow progress. Proper planning of resources, including time, energy, and money will assist in reaching their goals. This past Veterans Day I reflected upon my time spent in the US Navy. As a student in the Naval Nuclear Training pipeline, the concept of responsibility was a recurring theme. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy, was quoted as saying, Responsibility is a unique concept: it can only reside and inhere in a single individual. You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you. You may disclaim it, but you cannot divest yourself of it. Even if you do not recognize it or admit its presence, you cannot escape it. If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance, or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the person who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible (Mack, USN (RET.), Seymour JR., USN (RET.), & McComas, USN, 1943, p. 104).
This quote has stayed with me even after I left the Navy. Just as Admiral Rickover was responsible for every action, good or bad that occurred in his command, students must answer to all of their own choices. When you point the finger of blame at others for your academic failure, there are three fingers pointing back at you. By taking a vested interest in you school affairs you can control your own destiny. Proper planning prevents poor performance. This bit of alliteration is as true for my three-year-old son as it is for the college student. Neatly wrapped up in these five words is the foundation for any project big or small. Simply taking the time to chart a course forward to navigate through the day’s events can ease the heartache of wasted time. Students will be assigned teammates to perform group tasks. Carnegie (1981) stated, “When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.” (pp. 12-13). Your personal grade depends on the group completion of the assignment. The individual commitment to consistent contributions to group exercises is a personal choice. The team member’s cultural points of view and emotional reactions need to be taken into account when obstacles arise. Early in the formation of the team the development of a plan for division of labor and due dates for review and submission of work will mitigate internal group conflict. Your personal commitment to your own coursework and group assignments will reflect in your final grade. The most important reason personal responsibility is key to college success is that developing a plan in place and staying focused will increase your chances of reaching your goals. Your college success is directly proportional to your level of personal responsibility. No one can do the work for you. The time you spend studying and preparing will reflect on your test scores and assignment grades. I plan to keep track of my assignments in a small planner with weekly and monthly calendars. This will give me a visual reference to my short and long-term goals. I have set aside time in my day after my children have gone to bed to work on my class work. I have communicated my education goals to my wife, she has agreed to assist me. Together we have an open line of communication. This life line will keep me grounded and checked in to reality. In conclusion, although unexpected events can affect your plans, personal responsibility is key to college success for two main reasons. First, proper planning prevents poor performance. The efficient allocation of one’s resources to respond quickly to constantly changing variables will allow you to progress to your academic goals. Most important of all is developing a plan, with specific short term and long term goals, and sticking to it. Most failures occur due to a deviation from the plan. Maintaining a personal focus will increase your chances of reaching your goals. Taking responsibility for your actions and constantly working to improve upon your work will lead to success. References: Mack, USN (RET.), Vice Adm. W. P., Seymour JR., USN (RET.), Capt. H. A., & McComas, USN, CDR. L. A. (1943). Naval Officer's Guide (11th ed.). Annapolis, MD: . Carnegie, D. (1981). How To Win Friends & Influence People (3rd ed.). Hauppauge, NY: Dale Carnegie and Associates, Inc. Pater, R., & Remmo, C. (2012, September). Personal Responsibility for Safety. Professional Safety, 57(9), 26-29.