Back-to-School Wisdom from Meadow Ridge Residents
This article, written by Pamela Brown was featured in the August 29, 2024 edition of The Redding Sentinel.
Navigating a New Academic Year
As the back-to-school season begins, students face the challenges of stricter schedules, studying, homework and after-school activities. To help them manage these demands, some residents of Meadow Ridge are sharing their school memories and offering valuable advice. Their wisdom, drawn from years of experience, provides practical tips for students returning to the rigors of academic life. By learning from older generations, today’s students can better navigate the complexities of their educational journey.
Building Confidence in School
Resident Doug Dawson didn’t like school until fifth grade, when he had a teacher who started him off in the right direction. “I got mostly As which gave me confidence. A key ingredient in enjoying school is having confidence in yourself,” said Dawson, who attended school in Menlo Park, CA and earned a BS in engineering from Princeton and an MBA from the University of Santa Clara. He credits his success in school to taking on leadership positions in grammar school and playing team sports. “I was head of traffic control and it got me peer acknowledgement plus more confidence. In high school, it’s important to show skill at leadership.” Being a four-year member of the tennis team and creating a golf team helped Dawson develop lifelong friends when her brother, Ernest, walked her to Evanston High School. During that trek, Ernest offered her a litany of advice. “He felt that he was taking me to his school and that he was responsible for getting me started well. He advised as we trudged along, ‘Don’t be late to class. Don’t hand in homework late. Keep your eyes on the teacher. Ignore any show-off. Really important, be sure to do every bit of every homework assignment.’” and fostered teamwork in athletics and academics. He encourages students to be open to opportunities. “Develop an unusual interest into a usable talent in music, art, drama, sports – choose something that’s different from what others are doing, because it’ll make you unique,” he said.
Dawson and his wife, Jess, often advise their grandchildren on school-related topics and he recently wrote a treatise on considerations to make when choosing a college, offering advice for students wanting to become well-rounded in their academic and personal life. “Take courses that bend toward your career. I encourage kids to take a language for four years that they will use. Also, learn how to read music, because so many things we do are music-related,” he said. Dawson also noted that the arts can be edifying beyond what one might create. “Take a drama course to think outside of yourself and think of others,” he said. In closing, Dawson shared a business quote – ‘What you are is where you were when you were ten.’ “A child’s value system is set in grammar school. It’s also important for kids to learn about emotions and empathy,” he said.
A Sibling’s Sage Advice
Edythe Woodruff is a retired mathematics professor at the College of New Jersey who attended high school in Evanston, IL. She recalls the first day in 1941 when her brother, Ernest, walked her to Evanston High School. During that trek, Ernest offered her a litany of advice. “He felt that he was taking me to his school and that he was responsible for getting me started well. He advised as we trudged along, ‘Don’t be late to class. Don’t hand in homework late. Keep your eyes on the teacher. Ignore any show-off. Really important, be sure to do every bit of every homework assignment.’” Those words of wisdom served her well as she went on to earn a BA and a master’s in physics from the University of Rochester, a master’s in mathematics from Rutgers University and a PhD in mathematics from SUNY (the State University of New York at Binghamton). “I liked school,” said Woodruff, adding, “Girls can do math and physics.” She majored in physics in college in the 1940s when girls weren’t always welcome in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Through Woodruff was one of the national winners for a high school project she submitted to the 1945 Science Talent Search. By age 20, she was the only female graduate student studying physics at her university. “Believe in yourself and don’t fall behind on homework,” she said.
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Bill Balch attended K-12 in Minneapolis and graduated from Dartmouth College and Tuck School of Business in Hanover, NH with a BA and MBA. Throughout his education, some of his favorite subjects were history, geography, chemistry, English literature and public speaking. Early on, Balch learned the importance of studying and being serious about his education. “I flunked Latin in grade school and learned not to slack off on studying just because you don’t like the subject. Try to demand more of yourself in study, sports, public speaking (super important), and in caring for your family and friends,” said Balch, who encourages kids to be active in school. “Try out for extracurricular activities, like the class play, or anything computer-oriented, the school newspaper, radio/video club, etc. Colleges will take notice. My lead in a class play was fun. I got to kiss the leading lady and it looked good on my college application.” Balch also feels volunteering and making social connections are important. “Meet other classmates. It helps to overcome shyness. Never be a bully; in fact, make friends with those less outgoing than yourself.”
Looking back, Balch offers an inspiring tip to being a better student. “Always try to do better and choose friends you respect. Never think you can’t do better – you always can,” he said. “Succeeding is a cool feeling. Try to develop a wide range of knowledge and curiosity that will give you the self-esteem so necessary to succeed in life.”
Lifelong Lessons for Success
These Meadow Ridge residents offer timeless advice for today’s students: have confidence, stay diligent, seek out unique opportunities and never stop learning. Their stories serve as a reminder that the lessons learned in school often stay with us for life.