What I Learned from Students Challenging Themselves Daily with Things They Find Difficult

Hello everyone, it's Yoshi, the Flipper President!

This week's "Break Thursday", I'd like to relax a bit more than usual and talk about a small discovery I've recently made again while teaching and working.

The thing is, when you're living a busy life, don't you often overlook things that are actually important? Like when you take a step back and look at things calmly, you realize, 'Oh, that was actually important.'

So today, I thought I'd take a break and create an opportunity for a little reflection. Please read until the end, and use this as a chance to look back and see if you have any such 'discoveries within the ordinary' as well!

'Teacher, it's tough...'

That's what a student at the vocational school where I teach said last week.

'I don't have money unless I work a part-time job, but I can't take many shifts because I have school and practical training... I want to hang out with friends, I want to train, and I have to study too... Everything feels half-baked and it's frustrating...'

Ah, I feel that...

The moment I heard it, my 15-year-younger self came back to me.

Haven't you had that experience too?

I can't hang out because I don't have money. So I work hard at a part-time job! But if I work too much, I'm sleepy at school. The days I can't go to practice increase too.

There are so many things I want to do, but even when I have time, I don't have enough money! That kind of feeling...

Things that have become clear halfway through the first semester

It's already been half the first semester since the new school year started in April this year.

In school work, a large number of new students always join all at once every year, so at first, I proceed with classes while feeling things out, wondering, 'What's the vibe of this year's students?' or 'What kind of personalities do these kids have?'

In my case, after a month or so, I start to get a sense of the general atmosphere and personalities of the students.

Also, what never changes every year is that at this time, just after enrollment, everyone is giving it their all.

Whether it's in swimming practice or classroom lectures, I get many comments like, 'I want to know more about this,' or 'I can't keep up with the understanding, so please explain it again.' They also honestly write various impressions and questions in their reports.

At times like that, I'm happy too.

Because it feels like we are trying to create a good class together. That's why in my classes, I always try as much as possible to create a system where I can pick up everyone's voices.

The miraculous growth that started with "I can't swim"

What moves me the most is the practical swimming class.

At the time of enrollment, students who literally "could not swim at all" are able to swim all four strokes a year later, and even go on to aim for specific times in the 100m individual medley, which is their assignment.

Students who at first, even at 18, would say, "The water is scary! It's painful! I can't do it! I want to quit!," find themselves saying things like, "I'm only ◯◯ seconds away from passing!" before they know it.

Don't you think that's truly amazing?

To be honest, swimming is a grueling sport. It takes place in the unique environment of being underwater, the techniques are difficult, and the training is, of course, tough and painful...

However, even though they are in an environment where they "have to do it," seeing them improve steadily day by day makes me realize once again that human growth is truly infinite.

The essence of instruction taught by beginners

In fact, the vocational school students are also thebest teachers for me.

I usually coach Japanese national team athletes, and sometimes even world champions, but coachingbeginners requires a completely different approach.

"Why do I have to breathe?"
"I don't understand the meaning of this hand stroke."
"I'm 20 seconds away from passing, can I do it with sheer willpower?"

The students ask questions about things that are so obvious to top athletes that I wouldn't even think to explain them.

Watching those unexpected reactions and the way the students understand things leads to new discoveries, like "Oh, there's that way of explaining it" or "This training method is also effective."

In fact, it's not uncommon for me to try out a training menu I came up with for beginner students during the athletes' training that same day. And surprisingly, it often turns out to be extremely effective.

Because I coach beginners and top athletes in parallel like that, I think I'm able to provide instruction that isn't fixated on just one way of thinking.

A letter to my younger self

Listening to the students' stories reminds me of when I was 20.

"I want to play more but I don't have money."
"I have to work a part-time job because I don't have money, but I can't get the shifts I want because of school."
"I want to practice, but I have a part-time job and I have to do my assignments."

These are all the same worries I had back then. (laughs)

But there are things I understand now precisely because I am where I am today.

The fact that everything was half-baked at that time is exactly what has made me who I am today.

Because I had no money, I learned to be resourceful.
Because I had no time, I learned how to prioritize.
Because I was interested, I was able to take on challenges.
Because I had so many things I wanted to do, I started thinking about efficiency.

Back then, I used to think, 'Why is this so hard?' but in reality, that was a precious time for building the fundamental strength of life. I am grateful for that environment.

What students teach me

There is something I always think about when watching students.
Even though it is just for assignments or credits, everyone is seriously tackling things they find difficult.

While they might say, 'I have to do this to get credits,' I truly feel respect for the way they are working so hard, looking at it objectively.

And by coming into contact with their energy, I am also given the courage to think, 'No matter how old I get, I want to keep taking on various challenges.' At the same time, it fires up my own ambition, thinking, 'I won't lose to you guys just yet!' (laughs)

What is the essence of growth?

Recently, I often think about, 'what exactly is human growth, anyway?'.

Technical improvement is important, but I think what is even more important is the strength to keep going without giving up.

Whether it is a student who cannot swim mastering the four strokes, or a student struggling to manage money and time learning to be resourceful, the root is the same.

Doing what you can right now without stopping, and doing it to the best of your ability.

That piles up, and before you know it, it becomes significant growth.

You who are reading this article have surely had a similar period, haven't you? Or perhaps there are some who are in that very moment right now.

'I want to be an adult quickly.'
'When will things get easier?'

But looking back now, it is precisely because of those worries and hardships back then that you and I are who we are today.

So, even if you are having a hard time or have worries right now, I am sure that when you look back 15 years from now, it will just be something you think, 'Oh, that happened too,' so let's try to stay positive!

With that said, thank you for reading this far this time as well.

If you found this content helpful, I would be happy if you could support me with a 'Like❤️', 'Follow✅', 'Share♻️', or 'Tip💙'.

Also, have you had any moments recently where someone's words made you think, 'Oh, come to think of it, I was like that too...'? If you have, please let me know in the comments!

See you next time!
Bye for now!

Finswimming Specialist
Finfish President Yoshihide Sekino

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