My Russia experience is added to my list of great honors and privileges I have had in my adult years and I hope to have many more such experiences. In addition to Sasha, whom I told you about last week, I met Dr. Yuri who hosted me when my departure from Russia was delayed due to an error on my visa. He is a professor of history at the State University in Moscow and is world renown in his field — medieval history. Yuri was my guide and companion and cook during my stay and he helped me eventually relax and feel comfortable. He even prohibited me from cleaning the kitchen after we ate. One thing is for sure, if I did not have some semblance of discipline, he and others would have made sure I was more robust following my two week stay.

He encouraged me to eat Russian style—lots of carbohydrates. Yuri is a former Fulbright Scholar to the U.S. and I told him when he returns, I will arrange a countrywide scavenger hunt for him to explore the States. I will make sure my friends in numerous states and the students of the local colleges and universities n the respective areas give him a warm and pleasurable tour. There are some things for which “thank you” seems — and is — inadequate.

Saying a mere thanks to Yuri for his help during my stay falls short of the true sentiment and gratitude in my heart and my desire to return the favor someday. With him I was safe, respected, entertained and free to be myself. Not bad for being over four thousand miles away from home. The circumstances that brought us into association were not pleasant, but all things do work together for good.

Dear Dr. King: Divorce rates are climbing while many disagree with gay marriage. In what ways should straight marriages refocus on success? Name on file, Seneca, SC

Dear Seneca reader: Very good question. Two main issues come to mind: choice of partner and views about the longevity of marriage. There are professional tools to predict with over 90 percent accuracy how successful a marital union will be so couples can plan well. Thus heterosexuals in my opinion need to choose their mates wisely before the alter and examine their ability to make a commitment to monogamy and permanence. The best advice for marriage: marry well. For you males on the hunt for a mate – happy hunting. For you females waiting to be found – continue to get ready.

Dear Dr. King: I am embarrassed because I live in a smaller house than all my friends and when they come over I’m afraid they think I’m poor; what should I do? B.R., Greenville, SC

Dear B.R.: Be true to yourself and learn to accept yourself and your family’s socioeconomic level—whatever it is, not what you think it should be compared to others. Do your family members get along well? Are you loving and kind toward each other? If so, you are very rich. I can see many long-term problems that your insecurity might cause in your social life and development. In words of a well-known writer, “This above all: to thine own self be true. And it shall follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

Dear Dr. King: My study habits are really bad, but I want to go to college. How can I be better prepared for tests? T.A., Charlotte, NC

Dear T.A.: There are many very basic changes you can make to improve your study habits. Begin by deciding what you will give up in order to have more time for studying. There must be a tradeoff. Start now working with a tutor and/or a studious classmate/buddy to assist you. Set times weekly in your schedule for reading over and rewriting your notes after class, planning ahead for assignments, and reading ahead in your text books. Also get tested to make sure you do not have a specific learning disability affecting your ability to focus. I wish you much success in college.