THE IDEAL STUDENTGina J. Tolledo

“The youth is the hope of the motherland.” –Jose Rizal

This means that the future of our nation lies on the hands of the youth today.

These youth have the power to reshape the nation. But reshaping the nation to

greatness, stability and power is no easy task. We must first develop ideal students to

attain such vision.

What then are the qualities of an ideal student? Practically, an ideal student is

male. In ideal male student is simple in style. He doesn’t need fashionable clothes or

uniforms in going to school. He doesn’t need a branded shoes or the latest fad watch in

going to school. More so, our classrooms are brimming already with ideal female

students, yet we lack ideal male students.

Some people think that an ideal student should be intelligent, studious and a

voracious reader. Others think that an ideal one should maintain his/her status in class

as a topnotch student. An ideal student need not be super brilliant or a genius. Most

often this type of students regard themselves as superior or bookworm, hence they lose

respect to the teacher or to other classmates. For me, an ideal student is polite and

gentle in all his dealings with the teacher and his fellow classmates. He is intelligently

practical and never neglects studies and active in other extracurricular activities in

school.

An ideal student is one who religiously attends classes despite financial

constraints. Even if a student does not have snacks for recess or walks to school

despite long distances, he still goes to school. He is honest in admitting his situation to

the teacher so the teacher can devise ways to help him.

An ideal student is cheerful, optimistic, disciplined, obedient, laborious and

respectful. He pays due respect to all school staff. He is punctual, cooperative and

readily offers help to his classmates to the best that he can. He is friendly and kind.

Wherever he goes, he spreads good cheer, warmth and happiness. He is the one that is

being missed by his teachers and classmates and wonder why he becomes absent.

An ideal student is enthusiastic. When I visited a Grade One class, no matter

what questions I asked them, their hands readily shoots up in the air. They may not

have a clue to the answer but that doesn’t deter them from participating. An ideal

student asks questions politely to clarify lessons. He also asks creative questions that

stimulates the intellect not only of the good teacher but also of his classmates.

He fully understands his role and performs his duties and responsibilities as a

student. He goes to school prepared for the lesson. He never fails to answer his

assignment. He reads the assigned topics at home and brilliantly shares his ideas to his

classmates. He knows how to use the library and has acquired research skills. He is

critical to issues and contemplatively discerns what is true and just.

An ideal student maintains good health and proper hygiene. He maintains his

daily physical exercise regimen to keep his body fit. He participates in games and other

bodily activities. He does not have vices like cigarette smoking or alcohol drinking. He

spends less time on watching television or playing video or computer games. He sleeps

early and eats healthy, nutritious foods. He believes that a holistic individual has a

sound mind in a sound body.

When I asked a Grade Six class of what they want to be in the future, they have

unanimous answer of graduating in college. When asked what plans after college life,

they retorted they want to go abroad. Horrified, I asked similar questions to some Grade

Five students and they almost gave me the same reply. Nowadays, most students

attend school because they want to go to greener pastures after graduation.

An ideal student is one who passionately loves his country, as espoused in the

Department of Education’s vision. He gives utmost priority in developing his character.

He leads a disciplined life and never indulges in evil thoughts. He patronizes locally

made products and designs or researches on how to improve its quality. He wants to

graduate because he wants to help his country. He has noble aims on how to make his

nation great. He reads and studies the lives of the country’s great men and women and

ultimately draws inspiration from them.

When we have developed these ideal students, then we can say with conviction

that the youth is truly the hope of the motherland.