How do you motivate a high school student to succeed in school?

Answer 1

Education is the doorway to a better life. Your counseling department should have statistical data showing the average pay people make based on their years of education (diploma, Associates, BA, MA, etc.). Kids care about money, so break down how much money a kid with a diploma makes per month after taxes. Then start listing all the bills a person pays per month. They'll soon see that a diploma is not enough for the lifestyles they have in mind. Remember, though, a teacher can only open the door, the student has to want to walk through it.

Answer 2

My sister is an English teacher and teaches persuasive writing. She tells her students about how a family member got a job at Google by writing a persuasive letter. Google gets over 10,000 unsolicited resumes a day and his stood out. Then she tells them about how great his job is, all the benefits like free massages, taking his dog to work, giant Halloween parties, free gourmet food, etc. Her students are really excited to write persuasively by the time she's finished with her explanation.

Answer 3

I told my son several things. First, that I would have become a veterinarian if I had done better in math. Second, whenever we saw someone pumping a septic tank or portable toilet, or digging ditches, or driving a delivery truck, we talked about how working for low wages really inhibit one's chances for advancement. Third, I set an example by going back to graduate school in order to pull us out of relative poverty.
All HUGE lessons for him. He went to college, earned a bachelor's degree, and now has a career he loves!

Answer 4

that could be hard, depending on the kid. personally, i think the best way is to figure it out by yourself and self motivate yourself...since the school work you are doing is for you, not for somone else (if that makes sense). Like, ok, if you think about it, if someone is telling you to do well in school for this or that reason, then the student really isn't getting good grades or succeeding for them. they are doing it for you. or for whoever tells them that. the most successful way is for the student to learn themself that if they want to get anywhere in their life, they have to crack down and do their work. I just began to relize that this year, as I begin to look at colleges.

With that said, if you've been trying to motivate someone for a really long time or something, and its not working, then you aren't the one to be doing that. you have to accept that, and find someone else who cares about this kid and his/her future, and see if maybe they can motivate them. find someone the kid looks up to, like a role model. If that doesn't work...try a motivational speaker (but try to get one thats kindof cool and the kid can relate to, because some motivational speakers are just kindof wierd, but if you get one that is like really cool, then maybe the kid will want to listen to the person)

so, i'd say...first try showing him/her that colleges want good grades. does the student have any goals? do they have a certain career that they want to pursue? if they do, print out some stuff or buy a college book with schools in it that are good for that career. if that doesn't work, then try a role model or motivational speaker or SOMEONE who the kid will listen to.

good luck!!!

Answer 5

tell him or her the truth of what will happen if he or she does not succeed in school. my parents showed me people who did not care about school and ended up jobless and living in poverty, then he showed me people who concentrated on their grades and ended up rich and happy

Answer 6

depends on the kid.