9781422278116

School Etiquette for Success

TITLES IN THE SERIES

• Dining • Relationships • School • Social Media & Online Manners

• Social Situations • Traveling Abroad • Workplace

School Etiquette for Success Sarah Smith

MASON CREST

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania PA 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll free)

Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN: 978-1-4222-3972-8

Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-3969-8 ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-7811-6 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress. Printed and bound in the United States of America.

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Contents

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Introduction

Chapter One: The Importance of Good Etiquette at School or College Chapter Two: Respect for Teachers & Fellow Students Chapter Four: How to Pass Tests & Present Work Effectively Chapter Five: Personal Presentation: Dressing, Cleanliness & Good Manners Chapter Three: Using Free Time Productively

15 25 35 43 49 55 60 61 62 64

Chapter Six: Appropriate Use of Equipment Chapter Seven: Helping Others & Working as a Team

Series Glossary of Key Terms

Further Reading & Internet Resources

Index

Picture/Video Credits & About the Author

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to Understand : These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more!

Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout the series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

Introduction

Dear Reader, As you read on, you will learn that in any given situation you must be knowledgeable about the expectations set by society regarding your actions and how they will or will not meet the social norms for good manners and etiquette. It being essential to your success, you learn how your behavior will always be central to how others see you. Unfortunately, many people are judged, or written off almost instantly because of their lack of etiquette. Times have certainly changed, and while society adapts, you must set your own goals for politeness, good manners, and kindness. All around you there are modern dilemmas to face, but let your good manners set you apart. Start by showing sensitivity toward others, maintain a keen awareness about how those around you feel, and note how your behavior impacts your peers. Consider that even with changes in the world around you, etiquette must be inclusive and understanding across ages and cultures, and sensitive to your setting. It is important that you take the time to learn; read, practice, and ask questions of those whom you respect. Learn about writing a business letter, sending holiday invitations, or communicating with peers—certain etiquettes should be followed. Is it rude to keep checking your phone during lunch with a friend? Are handwritten thank-you notes still necessary? It is said that good manners open doors that even the best education cannot. Read on and learn what it takes to make a great first impression.

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“No matter who you are or what you do, your manners will have a direct impact on your professional and social success.”

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners”

“Life is short, but there is always time enough for courtesy”

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Words to Understand creativity: the ability to make new things or

think of new ideas curiosity: the desire to learn or know more about something or someone unique: existing as the only one of its kind

Students who show a positive attitude at school will have a much better experience of the whole educational system than those who are more negative in their outlook. 8

Chapter One The Importance of Good Etiquette at School or College N o matter what age you are, it’s a good idea to think about yourself as a learner. After all, learning doesn’t simply end after you graduate from high school or college. Humans are born with an innate sense of curiosity , creativity , and an eagerness to go out and try new things. This means there is always something about yourself, your life, your relationships, and your world that stands to teach you something and help you become a more mature, intelligent, and well-rounded member of society. As a school-aged kid or teen, you’re at a unique and often challenging time in your life.

Being a student is essentially your full-time job. Understanding and retaining new information about a wide variety of subjects are some of your most demanding tasks, no matter if you’re a sixth grader, a sophomore, or a senior. On top of the day-to-day and week-to-week stresses of schoolwork, you’re probably also facing a lot of other changes in your life, too: new friends, new responsibilities, new and (sometimes embarrassing) changes to your body. How do you balance school with the many other aspects of your life, all of which demand your attention and effort? How do you get the most out of your education—not just for the sake of getting good grades (though this is important) but also for the sake of your own personal fulfillment and enjoyment?

Perhaps one of the most relevant and useful answers to these questions is knowing what it means to have and practice good etiquette. Good etiquette includes things like being fair, being considerate, being respectful, being honest, being generous, and being kindhearted. It’s what makes a person nice to be around. It’s also what can help you get along with your teachers, fellow students, and anyone else you may come in contact with throughout your academic career.

Your school days should be a happy and rewarding experience.

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The Importance of Good Etiquette at School or College Having good etiquette may seem like common sense, but we’re not often taught exactly how to develop this valuable trait or about what it looks like in our everyday lives. You may not realize it but maintaining good etiquette and manners throughout your life—especially during your formative school years—is also a powerful way to build your personal brand. Why does this matter? Because, in a world where performance, hard work, discipline, and talent are more valuable than ever, being known as someone who is trustworthy, kind, and warm-hearted can give you a significant advantage over other kids who’ve spent just as much time and energy as you have doing well in school and building an impressive résumé. Your success in high school, college, and the competitive job world will largely be determined by the impact you make on the people around you. So what kind of impact do you want to make? In this book, you’ll learn about what it means to have good etiquette in school. Consider it an opportunity to become a better student, both for your own benefit and for the benefit of the people around you. School can be cool if you understand your role in the community, and you definitely don’t want to look back on this fun and exciting time in your life thinking that you didn’t get as much out of yourself as you know you could have. First, you’ll read about what it means to show respect to your teachers, administrators,

and fellow students. You’ll see why having good etiquette can improve your school experience and help you forge beneficial relationships with people who can help you succeed later on in life. Next, you’ll learn the ins and outs of time management when it comes to schoolwork, both inside and outside the classroom. As you get older, you’re going to be given more responsibilities and more freedom. Having a solid foundation of good etiquette and social skills will help you manage both effectively. You’ll also learn about some tips, tricks, and strategies to improve your grades and help you take tests with more confidence. From developing good study habits to working well on group or solo projects, you’ll understand why traits like honesty, dependability, and fairness matter so much to your academic success.

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Etiquette for Success: School

Learning good etiquette at school and college is an important part of personal development. Good manners will set you up for a bright future in both the workplace and in your home life.

The first layer of etiquette is all about the impression you make on the people around you. To this end, your physical appearance matters a lot. The way you look, dress, and carry yourself should be something you can take pride in and serves as a way for you to tastefully and authentically show off your personal style and personality. You’ll be introduced to the concept of “dressing for success” at school and how something as simple as good manners can go a long way. Good etiquette is a prerequisite to earning the respect of other people. If you want respect, you have to show respect—to both people and their property. You’ll learn how to demonstrate class and tact when using school equipment, which can help you avoid the

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The Importance of Good Etiquette at School or College

All students would like to look back at their school days as a fun and exciting time. School is not all about grades though. It should prepare you for adulthood, too, so that you can develop into a happy and well- rounded person. 12

Etiquette for Success: School

embarrassing (and sometimes costly) social faux pas of misplacing, breaking, or otherwise inappropriately using school property (or the property of your classmates). Lastly, it’s pretty clear that you won’t get close to your full academic, athletic, or personal potential if you don’t learn to play well with others. The most accomplished people in any field have achieved their success not by going at it alone, but by learning how to rely on people they trust and working together as a team. So, to finish up your education on proper school etiquette, you’ll learn both why and how to help others, and see how serving others will also help you in the process. Grab some paper, sharpen your pencils, and get ready to learn. Class is in session!

Text-Dependent Questions 1. What day-to-day challenges do teens face at school? 2. Why can good etiquette seem like common sense? 3. Why is it beneficial for students to present themselves well?

Research Project Write an essay on how good etiquette and good manners can help you achieve a better education and higher grades at school.

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Words to Understand

deference: humble submission and respect

peers: people of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person; an equal

tardy: late

A teacher should be treated with respect at all times. Despite being in a position of authority, a teacher has his own stresses, strains, and daily challenges, just as you do. 14