The 7 Habits of Highly Stressed-Out Pre-Student Teachers, Part 2

 This is a pseudo continuation of my previous blog entry. That entry described a really interesting and well paced lesson plan my CT, Ms. R executed. In contrast this is mostly for self-exploration and humor. For those who do not have access to Sean Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens I am going to give the lists with the brief descriptions Covey gives in the first chapter.

Sean Covey's list of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens:

Habit 1: Be Proactive

Take responsibility for your life.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Define your mission and goals in life.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Prioritize, and do the most important thing first.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Have an everyone-can-win attitude.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Listen to people sincerely.

Habit 6: Synergize

Work together to achieve more.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Renew yourself regularly.

Covey's “The 7 Habits of Highly Defective Teens”:

Habit 1: React

Blame all of your problems on your parents, your stupid teachers or professors, your lousy neighborhood, your boy-or girlfriend, the government, or something or somebody else. Be a victim. Take no responsibility for your life. Act like an animal. If you''re hungry, eat. If someone yells at you, yell back. If you feel like doing something you know is wrong, just do it.

Habit 2: Begin with No End in Mind

Don't have a plan. Avoid goals at all costs. And never think about tomorrow. Why worry about the consequences of your actions? Live for the moment. Sleep around, get wasted, and party on, for tomorrow we die.

Habit 3: Put First Things Last

Whatever is most important in your life, don't do it until you have spend sufficient time watching reruns, talking endlessly on the phone, surfing the net, and lounging around. Always put off your homework until tomorrow. Make sure that things that don't matter always some before things that do.

Habit 4: Think Win-Lose

See life as a vicious competition. Your classmate is out to get you, so you'd better get him or her first. Don't let anyone else succeed at anything because, remember, if they win, you lose. If it looks like you're going to loose, however, make sure you drag that sucker down with you.

Habit 5: Seek First to Talk, Then Pretend to Be Listen

You were born with a mouth, so use it. Make sure you talk a lot. Always express your side of the story first. Once you're sure everyone understands your views,, then pretend to listen by nodding and saying “uh-huh.” Or, if you really want their opinion, give it to them.

Habit 6: Don't Cooperate

Let's face it, other people are weird because they're different from you. So why try to get along with them? Teamwork is for the dogs. Since you always have the best ideas, you are better off doing everything by yourself. Be your own island.

Habit 7: Wear Yourself Out

Be so busy with life that you never take time to renew or improve yourself. Never study. Don't learn anything new. Avoid exercise like the plague. And, for heaven's sake, stay away from good books, nature, or anything else that may inspire you.

      Think about where you are on these lists. I am still fluctuating between the two. It inspired me to create my own list, The 7 Habits of Highly Stressed-Out Pre-Student Teachers. Feel free to post your own lists, be they joking or serious.

My “The 7 Habits of Highly Stressed-Out Pre-Student Teachers”:

Habit 1: React to Emails a Week Later

Habit 2: Begin the Semester Thinking Graduation is a Million Years Away

Habit 3: Do the Easy Homework First

Habit 4: Think Better in the Hot Tub

Habit 5: Sparknotes First, Read Later

Habit 6: Don't Anger Cooperating Teacher/School

Habit 7: Wear Yourself Out with Eureka or Harry Potter Marathons