The teenage years are some of the most critical and difficult years in a person’s life. One thing that can help is a strong ability to apply self-discipline. Self-discipline helps teens to manage time, do the tasks that need to be done and to plan properly for the future. Unfortunately, self discipline can find itself in a significant shortage for most teenagers especially for those teens who posses excess impulsiveness. One path that can help teenagers develop self discipline is an old, but tried and true path – military school. Many believe incorrectly that military schools are some form of punishment that would be used for those teens who are behavior problems. The fact is that military schools are an ideal way for many teenagers, especially those with the loftiest of goals develop the self-discipline to achieve those goals.
How self-discipline can help teenagers achieve their goal.
1. Classroom Success:
Classroom success is highly dependent on upon a teenager’s ability to control his or her own actions and to push themselves to do the things that result in classroom success. Doing homework, studying each evening, paying attention in class, taking notes and staying organized all require self discipline and self control.
2. Emotional/Mood Control:
The teenage years can be very tumultuous, with all sorts of new challenges and influences. A strong sense of self-discipline can help teens stay off of the emotional rollercoaster that affects so many in that age group. Knowing what to do when handling the ups and downs and having the self discipline to do those things helps teens mature and live with ease during these difficult years.
3. Time Management:
Effective time management skills can assist teenagers to achieve the freedom from their parents that they so strongly desire. Switching from parents managing their time to taking over their own time management requires a healthy dose of self discipline.
4. Healthy Choices:
Adolescence is a time of great temptations and dangers. Teenagers are surrounded by drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Many friends will use these substances and attempt to encourage or shame them into trying them. Self discipline provides a level of protection against these risky temptations.
5. Military Schools Foster Self-Discipline
Military schools specialize in cultivating discipline through a blend of structure, accountability, and support, creating an optimal environment for self-development.
1. Structure :
Military schools are by design, structured, with clearly defined times for classroom, athletic and recreational activities. This consistency helps students internalize an appreciation for organization, structure and punctuality.
2. Accountability:
Stressing the importance of personal responsibility is a key feature of a military school experience. Tight codes of conduct and guidelines make sure that students are held accountable for their own actions, strengthening the appreciation for consequences and rewards as they relate to actions.
3. Lessons in Leadership:
Leadership programs are a large part of the military school experience. JROTC is a key component of most military school programs. JROTC and other leadership classes teach students how to lead by example , and foster reliance and determination. Serving as a leader also cultivates a sense of responsibility to one’s peers and driving the actions of a group.
4. Physical Fitness:
A military school education includes a heavy emphasis on regular physical activity, trading and exertion. Not only is this good for health and fitness, it also strengthens self esteem and confidence.
5. Mentorship:
Military schools are quite often staffed with a large percentage of military veterans and some active duty or reserve military members. These people are selected for their ability to show cadets “how to be”. They also act as coaches, advising cadets and cadet leaders in particular how to handle various challenges and tribulations that come with being a leader.
6. Character:
Beyond academics and physical fitness, military schools emphasize character education. Concepts long since abandoned in modern society are preserved and passed on. Military school have honor codes and focus on morals and “doing the right thing”.
Conclusion
In an era filled with temptations and distractions the value of self-discipline. It provides not only the foundation for academic success, emotional growth and stability, effective organizational skills and overall healthy and wholesome lifestyle choices. Military schools provide tried and true opportunities for growth and the general strengthening of character and self discipline .Through structured routines, accountability, leadership training, physical fitness, and strong mentorship, they lay the foundation for teenagers to become disciplined, responsible, and successful adults. For parents searching for an effective education that will provide lessons well beyond the classroom that will serve their students for the rest of their lives, military schools might be the answer.
