Motivation For The (Lazy) High School Student.

How do you motivate a High School student to get things done and try to learn a few things a long the way? It’s a tough task, and often it may seem impossible, but if you make it fun for everyone it’s Mission Possible.

By the time children reach High School they are pretty much set in their study habits. Most Students are not only looking to have a good time, they are not looking to change their study habits. Hormones kick in full swing and the only thing on their minds are Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

As a Teacher, the first thing you need to do is set some ground rules on what you expect in your classroom. If you don’t establish what is acceptable and what is not acceptable, then you won’t be able to gain the respect you need and deserve from your students.

You may believe that whatever poor study habits your students possess when they walk into your class will be thrown right out the door by the end of first period. Nothing like the Power of Positive Thinking! But, you’re wrong.

Students have spent a number of years developing their current study habits , these poor habits didn’t become a habit overnight , and when you start to “undo” the poor study habits to build a more successful way for your students to learn, it may go back to the 21 Days to Make a Habit belief. Since you are dealing with High School Students with more important things on their minds, you might want to give it 42 days!

The key in getting Students to listen to you is.. First, establish those ground rules, then let them know right up front what you won’t settle for as a Teacher and what you won’t let them settle for as a student. If you try effective, open communication, you will be surprised at where you may be able to take these students by the end of the year. If they want to learn it, you can provide a classroom environment that is one they can certainly learn in but as the old saying goes, if you lead the horses to water, and they don’t drink, there isn’t much you can do.

When motivating your Student to change their Study Habits, it is important to set some short-term and realistic goals. Provide Study Guides on the material you are covering in class and show students the most effective way to use those study guides. If you have a Class Syllabus it’s great to attach a list of study tips to the back of it. Inform students from the beginning that because you have a Class Syllabus in their hands, there are no excuses for delayed or missed assignments.

Encourage your students to be where they are yet look ahead by planning ahead once they are familiar with the current chapter’s material. Teach them effective ways to study for tests and let them know that when you see vast improvements from all of them, rewards will surely follow.