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Frustrated and a little upset

Posted On 08/27/2008 20:59:42 by kixstart

OK guys some advice here please....

Ive been at green belt level now for 5 months. I train 3 times a week.
and my master hasnt asked me to grade again this time. He grades once a month, so that means another month to go at least. Whats worse is I know hes testing someone who got their green a month after me. Im now thinking Im doing really bad at something and noones telling me about it. Any ideas what could be the problem? I know its not ettiquitte to ask why Im not invited to grade, but would it be OK to ask what I need to work on, or would that also be disrespectful?

Thanks for any advice

*************************************************

UPDATE : I talked to my master and asked in a respectful way if there were any areas I really need to work on to progress my training. He asked if I wanted to test and I said I would like to if he thought I was ready. So I tested on Thursday and I passed. I am so pleased that I spoke to him now.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

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Viewing 1 - 7 out of 7 Comments

From: Lakoswolf

09/07/2008 22:11:21

In my experience every time I've asked my master if I should test I'm told I
need to test when I'm ready. There have been times when he's hinted that I
should test by asking if I was going to, and times when he's told me I
shouldn't have asked. At my current instructors dojang I'll typically find a
1st Dan, black stripe etc. and ask them if when they have a moment if they
could review my pattern etc. Often times my instructor will just pull me out of
class at random to see where I’m at. Given your situation I think Baby_Huey's suggestion is an excellent
idea

From: kixstart

08/30/2008 15:26:02 Thanks for your adivice

From: WolfsTKD

08/28/2008 22:22:24

if you havent been asked to grade there may be a reason for it it were me i would sit down on a one to one basis with my instructor and see if he has any ideas on what you need to work on and tell him you feel as if you need some help in some areas or it could just be that he is waiting for the right time for you depending on your age it may be he doesnt want to advance you to quickly so that you have to wait at red belt until you are of age to test for your first dan. beleive me i know where you are at ive spent almost ten years at first dan and at first i got frusterated and left tkd for another style. but came back to it and am now teaching you will do fine and test when you are ready

From: kalynn

08/28/2008 11:13:06 All good advice. Don't be discouraged, it's not a race. And don't compare yourself to others. Work hard and show your master you have the intention of improving and moving forward in your training. I don't think there is anything wrong with asking what you need to work on to improve your skills. Just don't phrase it as "what should I do to test". That would be inappropriate.

From: HIDDENSTRENGTH

08/28/2008 09:10:13

In our organization we test every 8 to 9 weeks, but I tell my students they are testing for me every time they bow on the mats by their effort and attitude. I personally would not think it disrespectful to me if one of my students asked me what they need to work on more to improve, in fact I encourage it as long as they ask in a respectful manner. But I'm not your instructor. You might want to ask one of the higher ranking students if this ever happened to them or if they think it would be disrespectful. I actually did do this once to a young man at Black Rec. level just to see if his character had developed to where I wanted it to be before we advanced him to 1st Dan. He past the test with flying colors. Don't get discouraged, just keep working hard and don't make the mistake of comparing yourself with other students, this is your journey, not theirs.

From: maddogdavies

08/28/2008 02:52:48 Grading once a month seems a bit too frequent to me- most schools grade every three months (over here at least).....do what Baby_Huey says below!

From: Baby_Huey

08/27/2008 21:39:38 In my opinon I would wait the month and work really hard on everything to show your instructor you are ready. I don't know who your master is so I wouldn't dare even guess why he hasn't asked you to test. After the next month if you need to then talk with your maser.

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