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Last year, I introduced you to Urban Prep Academy, a school in the inner city of Chicago. The school was unique in that 100 percent of its student body, which is completely black and male, announced that they'd all been accepted into college.
Obviously, this would be a tremendous achievement for any institution, particularly one that is faced with the social hurdles that come with life in urban America.
The school's announcement was met with criticism by skeptics, some of whom said that being accepted to college is not the same as actually attending and that attending college is not the same as actually graduating. I responded by stating that you have to start somewhere and that this school is already breaking tremendous ground by setting the bar high in the first place.
The school recently quieted some of its skeptics by announcing that all 107 of the young black men accepted in to college are now planning to attend.
The next hurdle for the school is to ensure that the young men get through their freshman years. In my 17 years as a teacher at the college level, I've seen countless students start college with the confidence of a thousand soldiers only to walk away with their tails between their legs. The number of ways to get "caught up" are endless: drinking, drugs, partying, fraternities, sororities, pregnancy, academic procrastination or simply losing focus. The reason I wrote the book 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College' was to prepare our kids for the many traps they will face when they decide to attend college.
College is not nearly as difficult as you might think, as long as you bring a consistent work ethic and never forget that you are in college to study -- not to just party, hang out and socialize. I admittedly grow weary of seeing people come to college and forget that it is a place for educational advancement and not just a place to learn the latest step moves, watch BET or set fashion trends. Having fun is certainly not a crime, but allowing fun to take precedence over academic priorities is a crime that can often come with a terrible life sentence.
Here are some tips to ensure success for young college students:
1) Set your standards high. Every child is college material if he or she wants to be. Remember: If George Bush can go to Harvard and Yale, then every black child in America can go to college somewhere. It's simply a matter of wanting it as badly as we want some of the other ridiculous things that have come to define black culture.
2) Education is the quickest path out of poverty and the difference between the haves and have-nots. Don't skimp when it comes to your educational investment. If you are willing to work five hours a day on a part-time job, you should be willing to study five hours a day to build your academic future. The payoff is much greater in the long-run.
3) Get off to a good start. How you start the first semester of college will set the tone for the next four years. If you start off behind, you will spend the next four years catching up. The first month is critical so be a little nerdy at first and slowly integrate yourself into college life. Again, college is an absolute blast as long as you make sure you handle your business first.
4) Don't go to college planning to be mediocre. Aim for As and Bs. It's not that difficult. In fact, most professors give the average student a B for simply attending class every day and doing what they are told to do. This is even true in the Ivy Leagues where grade inflation is rampant. The key is to avoid cramming and study every day instead of allowing the work to pile up on you. That's where my students get themselves into trouble.
5) College campuses produce tens of thousands of alcoholics every year. If you don't want to drink, then don't let peer pressure cause you to do it. While campus alcoholism is glorified in media folklore, many students are killed in drunk driving accidents or from alcohol poisoning. A lot of rapes occur on campuses every year while students are under the influence of alcohol. I am not here to tell you not to drink, but the famous rap song, 'Let's All Get Wasted,' is a ridiculous blueprint for wasting your life. Live how you want to live, not the way society tells you to.
College is a place to make your dreams come true. By working consistently and expecting the best out of yourself, you can live a life that fulfills your wildest dreams. I was a terrible student in high school and I never knew the value of education. In fact, I only defined myself as an athlete. But after the birth of my daughter at the age of 18 I decided to invest in my educational achievement. I found that it was the greatest and most significant decision I've ever made. Please share this message with anyone you care about. It might save a life.
Comments: (22)
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By: All Winners LOVE Winners on 5/27/2010 6:56AM
All 107 Black Males Will Be Attending - Please Graduate(-:
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By: Marlene Franklin on 5/27/2010 8:45AM
I am not suprised because the Black Man is the Origianl Man. If he is given every opportunity to excel without being sabotaged, he will reach beyond this world! He doesn't need anyone's handouts, just let him do for himself, family and people. This is his enemies worst fear!
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By: bed5d0e on 5/27/2010 11:36AM
You said it!!!!
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By: msladydeborah on 5/27/2010 9:52AM
The fact that these young brothers have completed high school is a major accomplishment. I use to reside in Chicago and I know how difficult achieving this particular milestone is for many Black people period.
I hope that these young men have a good support system when they enter into college. I suspect that during their time in high school their self perception has been tweaked to be successful.
This model needs to be duplicated all over the nation because we need to have our talented youth preparing for the future.
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By: Ron on 5/27/2010 11:19AM
This is good news! I wish all the brothers the very best. My words of encourgement to them is: Major in something you like, love or have a passion to do. Be determinreto be the best in your field. Study all the "greats" in your field of study. Create a goal list, manage your time, stay focused on your goals. Make a commitment to be responsible to the The Lord Your God and yourself. Never give up on your dreams. Always pray to Jesus for direction.
We hear so many reports of young Black Males in Special Education. I hope others will come to realize that more Prep- Schools and Programs are needed. There are many hard working students who are over looked in far too many school systems.
Finally, I would encourage all the young brothers to be wise and careful slecting a major, a mate, and who they wil serve with their gifts or talents God or Man? When you graduate college: Travel, Save Money, Invest in Real Estate ( In a good market) and avoid Credit Cards.- Even while in college and afterwards. If you have a credit card use to buy gas for your car, so you have established credit in good standings. Don't use credit for anything else.
In addition, I also encourage these young brothers to give back to their community in some way , shape or form in a postive way! We owe our anestors much. They paved the way for us and we must pave the way for others yet to come. Never forget your history, heritage and culture. It's who you are. The more you learn the more you will earn in insight, understanding, character, manners, language, intergrity, intellect, wisdom, joy, peace, love and even money! Remember learning is a life long experience. It continues upon getting a degree so don't be an educated foolish.
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By: C. Reginald Rivers on 5/28/2010 9:25AM
Sir
Your comments were "food for life". I am the pastor of a non-demoninational. multicultural church (plantcitychristiancenter.com)and I request your permission to edit your comments to use in my graduation sermon. I will edit the references to gender and race and insert "young people". Otherwise I'll leave the spirit of your comments intact.
You are kind of person our Lord put here to feed His sheep: Wisdom, encouragement and hope. You may or may not be a pastor, but "you preach real good". God bless and prosper you and your family.
Pastor Reggie
Plant City Christian Center
Plant City Florida
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By: Martin Cooper on 5/27/2010 11:45AM
Accepted, attending or what have you, the important thing is they all got their High School diploma. You got to remember these boys were considered failures by the school establishment. This alone is HIGH PRAISE, going on to college is only gravy.
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By: pcblst on 5/27/2010 12:19PM
Great. great, great!
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By: dvine on 5/27/2010 12:51PM
i don't knw why folks be sleeping on us.. We can do anything that the nxt race can.. I hope they all make it thru 2gether and set the standard that it can be done..
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By: ((( HiRoader ))) on 5/27/2010 2:11PM
True it's good to hear something positive for a change... Ancestrally these are the seeds & crops we need to farm & harvest... Regardless the toxic environment these young men stayed mentally conscious & fertilized of the grab em and tag em" legal system that's geared it seem to produce weeds, Instead of developing a responsible society....
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