I graduated college with zero student debt. That's right, Zero. In a world where people are sinking themselves into tens of thousands of dollars of debt every semester, every single penny saved is worth it. So, how did I do it? How did I get out of college without owing tons of money.... or selling a kidney?
The answer: Karate.
It's not exactly what you think. No, I didn't hire myself out as a ninja assassin, and though I was teaching karate lessons out of my church's multi purpose room, that didn't quite pay the bills, and wouldn't have put a dent in your average tuition cost.
What Karate did, however, was give me two things that had an incredible impact on my academic career: Focus and a Hard Work Ethic, which made all the difference. Here's How:
FOCUS
Karate has a unique way of sharpening focus. Karate training requires your attention at all times. Failure to focus can often mean getting punched in the ribs...or worse. Years study has given me a major advantage in school and life. I can honestly say I learn things faster now, having studied Karate.
I've often had parents tell me at the Academy that they've seen their child's grades improve after beginning their martial arts training. It makes sense. The ability to tune out distractions when you're about to break a board is similar to what ought to happen when you're preparing for a final exam in school.
The ability to focus had a tremendous impact on my grades, which in turn, qualified me for several academic scholarships that helped pay a lot of my costs in college.
Work Ethic
There are few things in life that taught me the value of hard work quite like Karate. Attending classes as a beginner, I was inspired by what the Black Belts could do. The speed with which they moved was astounding and the only way to be like them was to work my butt off. I've never considered myself naturally athletic and though I may not have been as fast or strong as some of the other kids; one thing I could do was out-work them. That mindset has taking me very far in achieving some major goals.
The Karate Work Ethic is a big part of what helped get me into the work/study program at the College I attended. There, I was able to offset my tuition costs by working on campus all through my undergrad years. The same kind of work ethic we cultivate in Karate can be transferred into all sorts of endeavors. Especially education!
So as another school year begins, and you gather school supplies--pens, pencils, papers, glue, and so on.....don't forget to grab your Karate Gi too! It might help you pay for college!
-Sensei Nathan
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