Self Discipline

List five areas of your life that lack discipline. How can you improve these? Who in your life has a great deal of discipline? What are you accountable for? Who are you accountable to?

1)  Study Habits - commit to studying x amount per day, schedule this time into my day ahead of time.
2)  Exercise - commit to a routine
3)  Healthy Eating - just start, you feel better once you do
4)  Quiet Time - commit to this time daily
5)  Time Management - have a set list of priorities


My dad has a great deal of discipline.  To be constantly changing schedules and work environments he must have self discipline to determine what is of priority and to remember what all must be done.


I am accountable for myself and my actions, the well being of those who are close to me, and those who have put faith and trust into me.


I am accountable to the Lord and myself.  I am accountable to my parents, because I seek their advice.  I am accountable to this country through the means of the military.  I am accountable to my Fraternity to ensure the good name and enhancement of the group.

Board of Advisors (BOA)

Who are your five members of your BOA? Explain why each person has a seat. Who challenges you? Who always has your best interest in mind? Who doesn’t agree with you?


Note:  Within my Board of Advisors I would like to clarify that the members are listed in no certain order.

My Dad:


He has been my role model and what I strive to be when becoming a leader.  He has an outstanding military history, he has been involved in many things that develop him as an influential person and an amazing dad.  He always challenges me to become the man I strive to be, by encouraging me to be better than the day before.  Change is a day to day thing.


My Mom:


My mom has shaped me in ways no one will ever know or understand.  She has taught me morals and ethics and how to be a gentlemen and I appreciate every ounce of dedication she has put forth to my growing up.  We don't always agree, but she ALWAYS has my best interest in mind.  This can make conversations difficult at times but the reassurance to know someone is always looking out for me is comforting.


My best friend, Lyman:


Lyman has been my best friend since high school, we lead the school together and had all kinds of fun doing the things guys like to do.  He is on my BOA because I have always gone to him for advise and support in hard and happy times.  We know we can be honest with each other without there being hard feelings.


Chloe:


We strive to have a relationship that portrays best friends, but she is much more than a friend to me.  When I am needing to make a personal decision, she often comes to mind before I make the decision and how it may affect her or us.  She gives advice on a dime and it is nearly always the best advise.  She knows me very well and I can depend on steady support from her.


First Sergeant, Owens:


My first shirt is on my BOA because he is such a people person.  His job is to handle personnel issues as a liaison between the enlisted and officer force structure.  He knows me, but doesn't know my entire life story.  This can be beneficial, because he can see a life decision in a different light than I can.  He always has others best interest in mind, even if its not what they want to hear. 

Future at OU

What do you see yourself doing at OU? If you could do anything at OU what would you do? What interests you?

During my short time at OU I have already become involved in many areas.  I have participated in activities both that I have enjoyed and I may pass up next time.  If I could do anything I would become more involved at UOSA, I have been learning about how the association works and how I may become a part of it.  I am running for the University College representative in UOSA and hope to become more involved.  I would eventually like to hold a director position and a position in the executive branch.  This idea of a student government is what interests me.  I began Student Council in high school thinking that it would be like student government, I would more closely relate it to a CAC committee who would plan and organize events.  Now that this Student government organization is available I would like to see where I fit in.

Leader in the Field

I have been interested in dentistry for a long time and continue to pursue my goal of getting into Dental school.  I have a strong personality that loves people and I enjoy the interaction and thought of making them smile.  Throughout my life I have shown a strong work ethic and always completed tasks with exactness.  I have had many influential people in my life to develop these traits, and I appreciate every one of them.  I decided to interview my current dentist, Dr. Austin, DDS.  The following paragraphs are my thoughts on dentistry, what I have found about the profession, and remarks by Dr. Austin.

Dr. Austin is a personable man, but can be quiet at times.  He pays special attention to knowing the patient, what they’re involved in, and what all has changed since the last visit.  The hygienists note this attention to the patient and they take special care in showing you this attention as well.  As the influential person within an organization, such as in Dr. Austin’s position, it is important to develop good attitude patterns so that the office may stay lively and personable.

Dr. Austin is a General Dentist; this entails four years of dental school. OU has a wonderful college of dentistry located at the OU Health Science Center (OUHSC).  The availability of OUHSC for the surrounding community provides a wonderful opportunity for new dentists to interact with patients. My grandmother, a retired secretary at the Goddard Health Clinic even goes to the OUHSC for her dental exams! (More information on the OU dentistry program can be found at http://dentistry.ouhsc.edu/) 

Whether you are a general dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon with nearly 10 years of specialty schooling, you must be able to treat the patient with respect.  “One of the most difficult things in a practice like this,” says Dr. Austin, “is to balance the time needed to complete the procedure accurately, and to efficiently use your time in seeing that days patients.  There is nothing the patient likes better than having an easy scheduling system, starting on time, and finishing early.”

“Leadership plays a big role in respecting the patients time.”  Dr. Austin has a team of people working under him including hygienists, receptionists, accountants and information managers.  These people if working together and smoothly can make the dental and business side of the patients visit enjoyable and stress free.  This well working group of individuals relies on a strong leader that can set an example of strong work ethic, timeliness and a good attitude.  Dr. Austin concluded his thoughts about leadership by saying this.  “I believe that my employees should start and end the day seeing their employer and I try my best to have a smile each time, I mean, that is what our business is all about!”  Dr. Austin believes the best way to prepare for a career in the medical field of any sort is to respect others peoples time, whether it is teachers or people who depend on you. Time is precious, don’t waste it.

Letter from OU

Write a letter to all the seniors at your HS. Give them advice. Tell them what to watch for. 


Dear HS Students,


I hope that high school was everything you wanted it to be and you met any goals you had set in place.  I also hope that you are excited for this new transition in life.  As exciting as it is, it will most likely also be the most difficult you ever face.  The personal changes in living out of the house along with school and studying will send you to a state of shock that can be hard to get out of.  With this said, I believe the best way to get through the senior-itis will be to  list the key points I would like to express.

1. If you are not in good shape and or health, it would behoove you to find a balance in health and exercise.  And STICK WITH THIS BALANCE.  It is easy to forget in college that your first priority should always be your well being.  Eat Healthy, exercise often, and get SLEEP.
2. If you skimmed  by in high school, that means you took easy classes and did not have to study, get a different mind set.  I know it is hard to have a parent say the "3 to 1 rule."  If you haven't heard it, it's not 3 hours of class to 1 hour study, yep, it's 3 hours of STUDY to 1 hour of class, so...
1. 15 hours (thats 15 hours of class a week) x 3 hours of study = 45 hours of study
2. 15 hours + 45 study hours = 60 hours of school work!
3. HS is 7 hours x 5 days a week = 35 hours!
4. Its a huge change, be prepared for it.
3. Become involved.  If you were involved in high school it is difficult to know where to begin.  There are so many places to volunteer and lead, the best advice I can give is, dive in.  The same goes for students who weren't involved in high school, find something your passionate about and dedicate yourself to it, you just might find a career.

In Summary

1. Be Healthy
2. Study
3. Get Involved

I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.  Don't get caught up in school so much that you forget to make connections.  The people you meet in college will be your life long friends.  Someone once said, "it's not the grades you make, it's the hands you shake."  You can take that quote as seriously as you like.  Stick with your gut, be respectful, and strive for excellence and you will succeed in everything you do.

A Proud Alum,

Kyle Ferguson

Bystander Behavior

What have you been a bystander to? What event do you wish a bystander had stepped in? Why do you think college students don’t speak up against wrong doing?


I have been a bystander to people talking behind others backs.  It is not a serious life affecting moment, but it is still something that should not go un-contested.  I wish a bystander had stepped into a situation I was in when they knew what I was saying was correct, but they didn't want to speak up because everyone else was against the idea.  It made the effect on me harder than if they had supported by side.  The common response of a college student when faced with the situation of speaking up, is that someone else will do it.  They most likely don't think it's their place to say something, or if they do then they may be judged for it.

Priorities

What were your priorities before you came to OU? What are they now? Are they the same or are they changing?

My priorities before coming to OU were more self centered, I was concerned with what I was doing, how I was doing it and how I would be recognized.  Since military training and the beginning of my college career my priorities have shifted to care more for my loved ones and others around me.  I would say that priorities are always shifting.  There are always new deadlines, new people and new things to care for.  Our success is usually directly proportional to how well our priorities are placed.