Be an active learner. It is important for you to do more than just observe everything around you. You have to actively participate. Ask a lot of questions. Take notes mentally or physically. It is very important that you physically put into practice what you learn because you learn how to do things by doing them rather than relying on watching and listening. Another great way to become a stellar pupil in life is to learn from all your mistakes. There is an axiom that says, “To err is human. To not repeat is divine."

Be your best. You always need to put your maximum effort into everything you do. Always go the extra mile. Never be satisfied unless you know that there is nothing more you can do.

Donate your money. You should give a tiny percentage of your money to worthy causes. Last month I bought a ticket for two dollars to support the annual fundraiser held by the Net Rushers Association at Forestwood Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The Net Rushers Association is an organization that holds a tennis camp for kids. I play tennis at Forestwood Park every Sunday during the warmer months of the year. If I was not struggling financially, I would frequently donate some money to places such as food pantries.

Donate your time. You should give at least a little bit of your time to help others or be a volunteer. Being a volunteer will make you feel better about yourself and it is good for your health.

Mentor someone. Take someone under your wings and help him or her reach his or her full potential. Provide a lot of support and guidance. Teach your mentee how to excel at whatever it is that he or she wants or needs to accomplish. I am helping a young high school student learn how to play tennis. I will also teach anyone else who does not know how to play tennis but is serious about learning. It is the right thing to do; furthermore, it hits home in my heart a great deal. About 15 years ago when I started going to Independence Park in St. Louis, Missouri to play tennis, I was not good at tennis and very few tennis players there would hit with me. I was very fortunate that Leroy Smith took the time to teach me how to play tennis. I vowed that I would never display the lack of heart that was shown to me by the majority of tennis players to anyone else who wants to learn how to play tennis.

Treat everyone with respect. I learned something special from a Sunday school teacher in St. Louis, Missouri when I was a teenager. He said, “The thing that you owe everyone is respect."

Vote. If you are at least eighteen years old, you should register to become a voter and vote on a regular basis. It is very important to make your voice heard and you never know when your vote might make a difference. Those who do not vote have no right to complain about politicians or issues that politicians have control over.

Stay informed. It is very important to read the newspaper everyday to know what is going on around you and to learn about issues and events that affect you. Keep up with what your government officials are doing so that you will be an informed voter. Uninformed voters are a threat to the integrity of the election process and should stay home.

Be smart with your money. You should save some money from each paycheck and concentrate almost all of the spending you choose to do on what you truly need.

Get to work doing things that will bring you fulfillment and make a difference!