The role of the student is to understand his or her place within the dojo, and help the dojo become a productive place of learning. This is a foreign concept to western culture, where individual goals are usually elevated over community goals, but is central to creating a place of selflessness and cooperation. Only in a cooperative community can you practice aikido safely. There are three components of your keiko learning environment: your dojo, your instructor, and your fellow students. By allowing you to train, your instructor is ultimately entrusting your with the sanctity of the dojo, his or her reputation, and the well-being of the students.

Your dojo is a place of sanctuary, where you can share your thoughts and train with others dedicated to studying aikido. Like a college or school, your aikido dojo is a place of learning, and your instructor and fellow students will help your education. The dojo should always be treated with respect; students should endeavor to keep it tidy and well maintained. As a student, you should invite the opportunity to participate in keeping up dojo; this is part of shugyo and will help you learn responsibility and obligation. The role of the student is to keep and maintain your dojo, so your instructor can teach, and you can train.

Your instructor will help you understand techniques and guide your development. The relationship between gakusei (student) and sensei (instructor) is built on respect and responsibility. Your instructor has more experience and knowledge than you have about aikido. You must respect this fact and prepare yourself to learn what your instructor has to teach. The concept of accepting what your instructor has to teach is called shoshin, the beginner's mind; you cannot learn if your mind is not willing to accept what your instructor is offering. Your instructor will respect your sincerity and dedication to training and teach you about aikido. Your instructor has taken responsibility for guiding you as you study aikido; he or she has devoted their time and effort to challenge your training and stimulate your development. You have the responsibility to accept this gift of knowledge and guidance with humility and appreciation. The role of the student is to respect the teachings of the instructor, and use that knowledge responsibly in training.

Your fellow students will help you practice what your instructor teaches. The relationship between students is based upon respect and cooperation. Paired training far outweighs single training in many respects. Treat your partner with respect and they will treat you with respect. Together, you both can cooperate to unlock the secrets of technique, discuss philosophy, and challenge each other to excel. This is the concept of tate hiki keiko, drawing your partner up through training. Students should focus on helping each other understand what the instructor is teaching through non-verbal communication and body language; sempai, or senior students, are charged with an additional responsibility to assist the instructor by clarifying minor points of training and helping kohei, junior students, understand the instructor's teaching. The role of the student is to learn from the instructor, and train with fellow students to understand what the instructor is teaching.

You cannot learn everything about aikido from your instructor or fellow students; much of your training will depend upon self-discovery. Learning aikido is learning to respect yourself, your fellow students, and the dojo in which you train. Learning aikido is learning how to become selfless and cooperative, and develop an attitude of sincerity and truth. The role of the student is to train truthfully and sincerely. Your training will be filled with dojo, students and instructors that will influence your life. Treat them with respect; learn with humility and sincerity.