Fundamentals are the basic skills, techniques, etc. that serve as the foundation of any system. Being fundamentally sound is an essential if you want to be successful at something.
Throughout my years of coaching football, the team that was the most successful was usually the team that did the best in the basic fundamentals of blocking and tackling. Most football coaches plan to spend a significant part of their practice time developing or enhancing these essential skills with their players. If you are not fundamentally sound at blocking and tackling in football, you are going to struggle.
How are you in the basic fundamentals of being a good student?
Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are three standard fundamentals that can help lead you to academic success:
- A regular study schedule or routine
- A study environment that has minimal distractions
- Completing all required homework and assigned readings
Just as there are many additional skills in football besides blocking and tackling (i.e. passing the ball, catching the ball, rushing the passer, causing turnovers, etc.) there are also many other important skills in your development as a student: writing, reading and test taking to name a few.
After you set the foundation with the basic fundamentals, you can start working on these additional skills.
What academic fundamentals do you need to work on to help you be the best student you can be?
The Independent Learner 