Motivation is a good thing, right? Motivation helps answer questions like “Why do we get things done?” and “Why do we choose to engage in one activity over others?” Essentially, motivation is having a reason to accomplish something. Because it is a primary driver that leads to success, let’s take a moment to learn a little more about motivation as it relates to coursework, learning, and day-to-day life.
We all know that working through assignments eventually leads to completing a course, then a semester, then a school year, and finally high school. That’s what we are here for, right? To gain an education and learn about the world in which we live. And, ultimately, to live out our God-given purpose.
Maybe your student doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do after high school, or maybe he does. Either way, education will play an important role in his future. It determines what he chooses to do for a living.
While students often have goals, they can, at times, lose sight of the steps it takes to reach them. Getting overwhelmed with coursework requirements, falling behind in pacing, or being frustrated in not knowing where to begin are just a few things that could cause a student to become unmotivated.
It’s long-established that motivation is vital to success. At the same time, we also know that motivation can be tricky to attain if you don’t already have it. And once you do have it, motivation can be equally challenging to sustain.
You may be wondering, “How can I partner with the school to help my child succeed?” Motivation and achievement are closely linked together. How well your student performs in coursework can be significantly impacted by the type of learning environment and study space created for him. By creating a family routine that plans coursework goals as a priority, you can help your child develop a structured schedule and see that education is valued by all in the home. This helps to increase motivation in the day to day tasks. Keeping a consistent routine in a study space with minimal distractions also helps increase focus that aids in staying on track with school work.
It’s important to ensure that your student has the necessary materials to complete coursework each day, such as reliable internet, a notebook and writing utensil to takes notes, a calculator for math, and any necessary supplies for science projects. Having access to necessary supplies helps minimize frustration and keep your child focused on assignments.
Keep learning enjoyable for your child. Ask questions about what topics he is learning in his courses. This keeps children engaged in the subject matter and helps reinforce what they are learning. It creates the opportunity for the child to find out how the subject matter connects to everyday life.
As your child comes across challenges, remember to help him develop the mindset that it’s okay if an assignment is not mastered the first time. Learning is a life-long process and the goal is for your child to grow through perseverance and develop a skill set by trying different solutions to problems he encounters. Knowing when and how to ask for help is a strength. As your child has questions, encourage him to be in regular communication with teachers who are happy to assist. And be sure to regularly check in to monitor your child’s progress on the Gradebook feature of the parent portal as well as through discussion with your child.
Making education one of your top priorities and creating an optimal environment for learning will not only help bolster your child’s desire and motivation to learn, but also provide the best possible foundation for your child’s success. It’s a team approach.
Mrs. Steventon & Mrs. Hansen
Academic School Counselors