“To come straight off of that very intense and very rigid structure [of the military], it’s helpful to have a bunch of guys that can speak the same language and can empathize with what you’re going through because we’ve been there,” [one student vet said]....
“My first semester was definitely an eye-opener because when you’re in the military, they’re very direct about what they want you to do, and how they want you to do it. And in college, it’s just ‘yup, do your homework’,” said [another]. He added that he still holds himself to the standard set in his military training: Perfection is the standard, and excellence is only tolerated.
November 11, 2015
"Student veterans finds community at UW-Madison."
An article in the UW student newspaper.
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29 comments:
Learner Success (a phrase I don't like) is tied tightly to being established in a Community. Glad to read about this one.
"Traditional" Students?
Oh, shit, that name's getting changed now, isn't it?
Just for the sake of argument, I would suggest there is such a thing as excellence without perfection, and perfection without excellence.
"Perfection is the standard and excellence is only tolerated."
This should be carved in stone above every university portico and every public school entrance.
They need to check their veteran privilege at the door.
The very fact these "war" veterans are on campus creates a feeling of unsafety among certain students. Therefore, they should leave.
"Perfection is the standard and excellence is only tolerated."
Total B.S.
""Perfection is the standard and excellence is only tolerated."
Total B.S."
Do you prefer "Zero tolerance?"
This world is a vale of tears and shit happens, so how about we hold hands and try to work our way out of this together?
Hagar said...
This world is a vale of tears and shit happens, so how about we hold hands and try to work our way out of this together?
Our way out of this? Sounds like you're recruiting for a suicide cult.
Althouse, apparently shocked by the hatred of academic institutions that she unleashed yesterday, now plies some positive propaganda for UW.
Perfection is the standard, and excellence is only tolerated.
I've never heard this slogan before.
Of course, human beings are invariably, inevitably, and by their very nature, imperfect. By failing to recognize or take that into account, the standard is not met.
The standard asserted is not one of perfection, but of hubris, of presuming to have god-like capabilities. Whenever one is so inflated as to deny or refuse to admit to his limitations, his imperfections, then he is not only doomed to failure, but he has already failed.
Excellence is not sub-standard and the humility to admit imperfection is not a vice.
For some posters - well, one poster - 8 + 23 + 4 + 19 + 47 + 11 . . . + 3 so far on this thread + more later today + more tomorrow = 0. Yet somehow she never learns.
Again, why is this person posting ? Of course, demonstrating the variation is internet denizens might be one reason.
If you get up early, work hard, and stay late, it improves the odds for your survival, but there are no guarantees.
Perfection, quote unquote, is a silly standard. One man's perfect is another man's too much cumin in the salsa or not enough windows on the second story.
Excellence makes much more sense. That's just a stew of dedication, humility and persistence. Everyone can and should strive for excellence.
"AReasonableMan said...
Althouse, apparently shocked by the hatred of academic institutions that she unleashed yesterday, now plies some positive propaganda for UW."
How is that positive propaganda. It makes UW look like it lacks stringent standards, which is probably true.
Most things in the military are actually quite simple, it's just that (1) those simple things are often quite difficult and (2) sometimes anything less than perfection can get you killed. For instance, there's a good reason why the only passing grade on the demolition safety test was 100% -anything less had to be unacceptable.
If these guys have the habits (learned or innate) of hard work, perseverance, punctuality and self-criticism, then they will be fine - learning to be more self-directed is relatively easy compared to acquiring those other habits of success.
Also, when you're cramming for four finals in five days, it helps to remember that you are dry, warm, not carrying a ruck and nobody is shooting (or yelling) at you.
Mark: "I've never heard this slogan before."
Variations of this are found throughout the military where the reward for "mistakes" or sub-perfect performance can often be fatal.
Still BS - especially in the military, where famously "no plan survives initial contact with the enemy."
Perfection, quote unquote, is a silly standard. One man's perfect is another man's too much cumin in the salsa or not enough windows on the second story.
One must define perfection beforehand. That's the key.
or, "the general who makes the fewest mistakes wins."
The more prudent person will expect human error, and not expect perfection, and will plan for contingencies and redundancies to minimize any bad consequence of that error.
“The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect one.” — Von Clausewitz
"Perfection is the standard and excellence is only tolerated."
This should be carved in stone above every university portico and every public school entrance.
I hope that a sentence containing such an egregious grammatical error is NOT carved in stone anywhere, especially at schools.
Excellence is only tolerated? It is not required, not approved, not applauded, not sought, not praised? Just tolerated?
Of course, what the writer meant to say is "only excellence is tolerated" - ie, mediocrity is not tolerated.
""Student veterans finds community at UW-Madison.""
Find. Veterans find.
Would it be wrong to question the soundness of the mental processes of someone who could make such an egregious error? (This blog really needs emoji -- how am I supposed to snark proper without a smiley face sticking out its tongue?!) :-P
Emilie -- No. You've misunderstood. The idea is that only perfection is good enough -- excellence is only tolerated, anything below excellence isn't even tolerated.
I agree with all the other comments that the perfect is the enemy of the good.
When i was on active duty, it was 'Excellent is TAC standard. Outstanding is expected' These were grades on IG inspections.
Set the Glynnster free!
Fly little Glynnster. Fly!
EMD... the new term is 'cis-student' and you're microaggressing if you are one.
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