The best students for martial arts schools are going to be ones who can be committed, disciplined, and active in their learning.
Commitment
If you’re going to learn how to fight, you need to be committed to the learning process. Without going too Kung Fu on you, you need to make sure that you are ready to listen to the teachers and to do what they say. Though you might want to start looking at ways you can get around the rules, this is only going to hurt your training, your form, and your ability to not look like an idiot the next time you’re sparring. Oh, and yes, you will need to be willing to practice when you’re not at the dojo.
Discipline
Those who can be committed to the martial arts lifestyle are those who can get the most out of class. You will need to be willing to not only pay attention, but also to train well each and every time you step on the mat. This is not a sport in which you can simply try some of the time and expect to get good results. You need to make sure you are focused when the Sensei or Sempai is talking, listening to all they have to say. You will learn much from them, Grasshopper.
Engaged
Finally, you need to be ready to leave the rest of your life outside of the dojo when you’re at a martial arts class. No matter how stressed you are, how happy you are, or how sad you are in your real life, you need to let that go and become engaged when you are in the classroom. From adults to kids in martial arts, you need to be ready to be set for the next class so that you aren’t simply taking up room. You need to be fully engaged in the practice as it is happening, giving it your all until you fall over on the deck. Those are the truly engaged ones – the ones who are throwing up from pushing themselves so hard.