From Crayons To College

My daughter and I worked together to create these ABCs for a bulletin board that ultimately became a guidance lesson to focus kids on skills they need to sharpen as they journey from Crayons to College. I'm thinking a lot about Kaitlyn today because she started her college classes this week; it seems like only yesterday that we were taking her to Cline with her kindergarten crayons.  Here's our list:

A is for Attitude.  Be a bucket-filler and hang out with positive 

people who will lift you up. 

B is for Behavior. Staying in control of what you think and feel 

will help you decide what to do. 

C is for Cooperation. Getting along and working together 

increase your chances for success.

D is for Determination. Set goals and see them through from start 

to finish with enthusiasm and drive.

E is for Effort. Give 100% in everything you do; don’t stress about 

being the best, just do your best.

F is for Family. Trust family and friends to be your safety net; let them 

laugh and cry with you.

G is for Good Grades. Do your best to achieve academically 

to open doors and opportunities.

H is for Honor. Show dignity and respect. Be honest, fair and 

courageous. Express appreciation and gratitude.

 I is for Initiative. Respond quickly to jumpstart your work; you know 

what they say about the early bird.

J is for Judgment. Think things through to make wise decisions 

and cut down on mistakes.

K is for Knowledge. Be a lifelong learner. The more you know,

the stronger you'll grow.

L is for Leadership. Lead by example; make footsteps worth following.

Be friendly and kind to people. 

M is for Morals. Be in the right place at the right time 

doing the right thing. 

N is for Nutrition. Eat well, drink a lot of water, exercise, 

relax and get plenty of sleep.

O is for Organization. Find a system that works 

to help you get it together.

P is for Perseverance. Persist with your purpose even when there are 

problems.  Keep on keeping on.

Q is for Quality. Stamp a quality assurance guarantee on 

everything you do.  Go for the gold.

 R is for Responsibility. Show up on time, make decisions carefully, 

and do what you’re supposed to do. 

S is for Study Skills. Sharpen those important tools to get through life 

by learning how to learn.

T is for Time Management. Be a good steward of your time; 

manage it well by watching your watch. 

U is for Understanding. Work to understand what people are 

telling you; listen with an opened heart.

V is for Volunteerism. Lend a helping hand and stand willing to serve.

Make the world better by showing up.

W is for Work Ethic. Spend extra time and energy working hard 

to earn what you want and need.

X is for eXcellence. Make excellence a habit; it will set you apart.

Y is for Yearning. Long to learn something new every day.

Dream it, desire it, do it.

Z is for Zeal. Race toward your future 

with everything you’ve got. Enthusiasm ignites GREATNESS!

If you were to adopt the ABCs of college readiness, 

which of these would you keep?  Change?  Why?

For a free download of these ABCs in book format courtesy of Jen, visit Runde's Room or click {here}. 

2016 update!