This teaching guide is designed to complement the 20-minute video, Think Smart.  Click here to request the video.  Please note that video supplies are limited and may no longer be available.

Decisions, decisions.  Every day we have to make numerous choices.  Some can affect us the rest of our lives, while others are relatively insignificant.  But whatever the type of choices we must make, the fact remains that WE are responsible, and we must weigh the risk versus the reward of our decisions.

Daily Dilemmas
A typical day begins with the simple choice of when to get out of bed.  Then we must decide whether to take a shower, a bath, shampoo our hair, or whether to bathe at all.  How to wear our hair and what clothes to wear are other decisions to be made.  Shall we skip breakfast or eat, and if so, what shall we have?   How will we get to school--ride with our parents, ride the school bus, hitch a ride with a friend or walk?  All of these choices must be made.

Along with such obvious decisions facing today's young people are the more serious ones that really can affect lives.  One such choice could be whether to study for a test, go out with friends or spend the evening talking on the telephone.  We all know which choice should be made, but will it?

Choosing what to wear may seem a mundane decision, but not in today's world of gangs that sport certain colors, brands of clothing and shoes and styles of wearing those clothes.  To make the wrong choice and wear "gang" paraphernalia could be dangerous.  By the same token, many people judge others by the clothes worn--not just whether the clothes are clean and pressed, but whether they are brand name or generic.  A student's acceptance at school can depend on such choices.

How active students are in school also can have a big effect on their success.   For example, should they participate in extra-curricular activities such as band, vocal music, cheerleading, debate, football or another sport?  The time required for practice can drastically cut into time needed for studying or simple free time for relaxation with friends.

Should students have a part-time job?  Here again, the time a job requires would directly affect all aspects of after-school and/or weekend activities, including time to do homework or participate in activities.

Whether to use drugs, drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes are big choices that virtually every student must face.  Some go along with the crowd just to belong, but the risk of such behavior can be deadly as well as dangerous to reputations where breaking the law is concerned.  Using drugs and alcohol involves other decisions, such as whether to get behind the wheel or even to appear in public and risk arrest.  The "reward" of a temporary high means nothing in comparison.

Career Choices
Once students have navigated through school toward graduation, there are even more decisions to be made.  Some decide to drop out of school to marry, get jobs or have children.  Others go on to college, and there are other major decisions to be made.  Where to go?   What to major in?  Whether to live on campus or commute? Who to have as a roommate or have none at all?  What classes to take, how many hours to carry and at what times?