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How to motivate a teen to study in Kent, OH

It may seem like an impossible mission to motivate your teen about school these days. 

They can be disconnected since remote learning, and not engaged in their education. An Academic Coach can help steer them in the right direction. Follow these steps to learn how to motivate a teen to study in Kent, OH.

1.  Put things in context. Show relativity to the here and now. For some students, thinking about how the writing assignment in front of them could benefit them in their future career is an impossible thought. Provide real life examples of assignments you thought were pointless at the time, but ended up teaching you something that you used at a later time, either in your career or in life in general. For example: I took a class 3 times before passing it by the skin of my teeth. I could not understand at the time that both the professor and the situation were both pushing me to be better and to work through challenges as they arose. There were no work arounds and I simply had to put in the work to get through it. This taught me a lot about myself and I still think about it when I am facing a difficulty in my life. I learned that if I really put my mind to it, I can get through even what seems impossible at the time. Though it was very frustrating at the time, looking back I am glad for the experience.

2. Break things into tiny parts. Sit down and look at all the assignments in your student’s calendar. (If they have things organized to this point!) Have an honest conversation about what they are dreading doing, as well as what they might enjoy or at least know they can get done without help. Together, use a paper planner to map out how they can work on the difficult items for 15-20 minutes each day, culminating in completion a day or two before it is due. Intersperse the easier items so they can make progress on those as well. For those who need to see progress, it may make sense to have them create a visual chart to show about how much is completed after each day. Provide a lot of positive encouragement after each completion. If they miss one, instead of reprimanding, try helping them determine what got in the way and come up with a new plan to complete that part, helping them to move forward, not look back.

3. Plain old bribery. Yes, we know how it sounds. But for some students, they are just not at a point where they can find a “good enough” reason to do work they find no value in, no matter how much you try to convince them. In these cases, find what does motivate them. If they are YouTubers or Gamers, for instance, the promise of a new piece of equipment or game upon completion of a class with a certain grade. An athlete, some new gear. Etc. The reward does not always have to hold a monetary value. If your student appreciates nature or being with their friends, the promise of a hiking trip or party could motivate them as well. The idea is to use whatever necessary to get momentum started. Once they see the positive result from their hard work the idea is that they will eventually move toward more independent learning and the setting and achieving of their own micro-goals. 

COLLEGE
ACADEMIC COACHING

Our college academic coaching program focuses on supporting students through organization, time management, goal setting and accountability.

COLLEGE
TUTORING

Has your student found themselves on academic probation or falling behind in their college coursework?  Our expert educators can help! 

HIGH SCHOOL
ACADEMIC COACHING

Our high school academic coaches teach students how to organize, prioritize and utilize effective study, note and test taking strategies.

HIGH SCHOOL
TUTORING

If your high school student is stressed with their demanding course load or needs help getting back on top of a challenging subject, give us a call.

Improving Grades with an Academic Coach

The techniques outlined above will not work with all students. For some, they may require an outside perspective. Sometimes, a parent is just too close to the situation and the student is naturally more resistant to receiving help from them. In these cases, an academic coach from Academic Coaching Specialists can be the turning point for the student. 

Working together each week with an experienced educator who is relatable and current can provide just the boost of confidence that they need. The coach will act in a similar fashion to an athletic coach, in that they provide instruction, feedback, motivation, and accountability. As the relationship grows, the student starts to see better grades and increased confidence. They learn to problem-solve and work through challenges with their coach, eventually leading to more independent learning. 

We take time to carefully match the coach and student according to learning/teaching styles, as well as personality types. Doing this in the front end provides the best chance of creating a relationship right from the start where the student feels cared for, understood and comfortable. All of our coaches are experienced educators who have dedicated their lives to helping students be successful. They truly care and want to make a difference in your student’s life.

Students who work with a coach or tutor from ACS experience:

1. Overall improved GPA

2. Better grades in challenging classes

3. More confidence

4. More interest/engagement in school

WE PROUDLY SERVICE HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STUDENTS
THROUGHOUT KENT, OH.

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What Our Students Say

NJ_Silhouette

NJ D.

” The program has geared me up for success not only in the classroom but also in life. Having a dedicated plan day in and day out has helped me achieve so much. With the help and guidance from ACS, I was able to graduate college (which I never thought could happen) and have helped me land my dream job right out of college! Thank you ACS!! “

Joe

Joe D.

” I was able to improve my test scores, improve my overall grades and even make dean’s list. I also gained a new mentor, coach, and friend. I am using the skills I learned through ACS daily in my career such as planning, focusing, and prioritizing my tasks each day. “

Carolina

Carolina B.

” I struggle with time management and I have learned that I need accountability to finish and reach my goals. Having someone who cares about my success, offering tools and strategies to get there, has been crucial for my professional and personal development. I am so grateful for this support from ACS in this journey. “