Lecture Notes on "Believe to Achieve"

Introduction

• The theme revolves around perseverance, belief in oneself, and the impact of encouragement on personal growth.

Key Characters

• Finn: A student struggling academically and emotionally after losing his parents and grandmother.
• Miss Ruth: A supportive figure in Finn's life, encouraging him to believe in his potential.
• Miles: A classmate who also has a personal connection to the medical profession.

Major Themes

Struggles with Self-Image

• Finn faces bullying and negative self-talk, believing he is "stupid" because of his grades.
• Miss Ruth counters this by insisting Finn is not stupid and encourages him to affirm his worth.

Importance of Belief

• Miss Ruth emphasizes that "anything you believe, you can achieve."
• She encourages Finn to repeat affirmations to build his confidence.

Support Systems

• The role of family and mentors, like Miss Ruth and Finn’s grandmother, is crucial.
• The loss of Finn’s grandmother highlights the importance of support during crises.

Academic Opportunities

• Extra credit opportunities, such as spelling bees and math tournaments, are presented to help students improve grades.
• Finn shows potential when he solves math problems, indicating he’s capable despite his struggles.

Personal Stories

• Finn shares his backstory about losing his parents in a car accident, leading to a series of hardships.
• He expresses a desire to become a surgeon to help others, motivated by his past experiences.

Transformation and Growth

• Finn begins to believe in himself after support from Miss Ruth.
• His academic performance improves when he realizes his potential and starts participating.

Climax: Medical Context

• A critical situation arises where a patient without insurance needs surgery.
• The doctor, a former classmate of Finn, reflects on his motivations to help others, linking back to Finn’s story about loss.

Conclusion

• The importance of believing in oneself is reinforced through various characters’ experiences.
• Finn achieves a scholarship named after his grandmother, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.

Final Motivation

• The message is clear: belief in oneself is fundamental to achieving one’s dreams.
• Miss Ruth’s motto serves as a cornerstone for Finn's and other characters' journeys.