Student Achievements
The students of the St. Joseph’s Convent recently participated in the Productivity Essay competition.
Two of our fellow students, placed in the top 3 (1st-Sherphyl Emmanuel (right) and 2nd place- Alise Shawartz(left))
Here is one of the top winning essays!
Alise Shawartz – Form 5
Write an essay in 500-800 words, delivering an address to your peers on how to become more productive students.
Productivity is defined in an economy, as the act of being able to efficiently produce an optimal level of output while utilizing minimum resources. Similarly, one is said to be productive if he or she performs tasks diligently and effectively under various circumstances. However, being continuously productive may not be an easy exercise to accomplish. One must first welcome the decision of being productive, design goals, consume healthy meals, participate in extra curricula activities and to complete it all, recognize the importance of time.
To begin, an individual’s level of productivity is first rooted in an innate drive to succeed. Aristotle once said “that we are what we do. Excellence is then, not an action but a habit.” This is important primarily because a person must first develop a foundation built on the benefits of productivity. These benefits must align with every human being’s competitive nature to achieve their desires. Once an individual welcomes the notion that perseverance leads to success, then he or she will be forever driven to achieve their goals.
Moreover, clearly defined goals should be established in order to increase productivity among students. Specific goals should be developed to assist in avoiding distractions and procrastination. People who do not set goals lose time roaming aimlessly. Successful people in contrast, are repeatedly reminded of their goals and priorities; therefore they make maximum use of their time and gain the highest reward. For instance, a student whose goal is to flourish in CSEC examinations will create a detailed study timetable, comprising of time and effort centered on achieving the highest possible grade in the examinations.
Furthermore, the type of food one consumes plays a major factor in one’s level of productivity. “Your diet defines who you are” some may say, which in essence, is true. It is important that an individual eats a solid breakfast including daily vitamins especially Vitamin C. Foods which will increase energy levels and attentiveness such as fruits and vegetables will definitely prepare one for a productive day. What is eaten by an individual largely determines the physical and mental well-being of a person which as a result, impacts their level of productivity.
In addition, participation in physical activity plays a pivotal role in a person’s level of productivity. Physical activity not only increases one’s health, it conversely reduces time spent recovering from illnesses. A survey of students of the St. Joseph Convent revealed that over ninety six percent of students engage in extracurricular activities. The fact that the St. Joseph Convent is the highest ranked academic performing school in St. Lucia; the results may infer that a direct relationship exists between physical activity and overall academic performance.
Moreover, the ability to effectively manage time is one of the essential characteristics of a successful individual. Time is essential in completing any task, therefore understanding how one can make the most of how much is given, certainly impacts the level of output. For instance, a student was given a situation where she was given the day off from school. However, the following day after her holiday she would have a chemistry exam, but her best friend was having a birthday party on the holiday from six pm to twelve pm. She was then asked how she would spend her holiday. The student in response said, “I would wake up then start studying. After I would go to the party from six pm to 8pm and go back home to do a little revision and then sleep” The aspect of time management is spreads throughout this simple scenario. Noting that it was her best friend’s birthday party, and she only stayed at the celebration for two hours instead of six, in a sense, she balanced her time efficiently. Most importantly she included having time to sleep in her response. Highly successful individuals have focused on effective time management as one of the key ways to increase productivity within their organizations and lives.
To conclude, the art of productivity has a direct relationship to success. In a business, higher efficiency equates to better margins through lower costs. Increased productivity in an economy will generate larger tax revenue and as a result, the country benefits by being supplied with infrastructure and social services. Most importantly, a higher level of productivity among students increases their chances of being rewarded through scholarships but also assists in achieving the overall goal of success. Paul Meyer, a famous French clarinetist once said, “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.
Word count: 779