Helping Students Keep a Positive Mindset About School

Now that the school year is underway, the excitement is beginning to wear off, and classes are getting more challenging, it can be easy for students to lose their motivation. They may become less eager to go to school and be frustrated with the workload. Here are a few ways to help your child overcome setbacks and keep a more positive attitude.

Remind them that learning is a process. Not everything will come easily to them, and they may have to work harder in some classes than others. They aren’t expected to understand everything or be able to do things perfectly on the first try. Learning is a process that requires repeated practice and reinforcement. They are constantly building on what they already know and using that information to acquire new knowledge.

Help your child see how far they have come and that they can do things now they struggled with before. Perhaps their math quiz score improved every week, or that physics concept they couldn’t figure out finally clicked. Encourage them to ask questions in class and compare notes with a friend if they think they missed something. Sign them up for tutoring so they can get one-on-one support, develop effective note taking and study skills, and stay on track with course content.

Practice self-care. Burnout doesn’t just affect adults — it can impact students too. Work with your child to establish an effective homework and study routine where they take periodic breaks to clear their mind, stretch their body, and get something to eat and drink. Their mind is better able to process and retain information when it is learned a little bit at a time. Spending hours cramming or reviewing the same content repeatedly can be counterproductive, especially if they’re having trouble understanding it. Sometimes when they shift to something else or take a break and come back to it later, it makes more sense.

Emphasize the positives. Instead of focusing on what they may have gotten wrong, look at all the things they have gotten right. One poor test score does not define them or their intelligence. Chemistry may not be their strong suit, but they may excel in language arts. And that is okay. A tutor can present information in different ways and help students find strategies that work for them. They may not get a perfect score on every test, but they can develop a solid understanding of key concepts they need to know.

Praise your child for their effort and hard work. Let them know that you see that they are trying their best and that they have some difficult classes. Give them some grace and encourage them to do the same. Make sure they know that they are supported at home and get them a tutor who can meet them where they are at in their learning and help them keep moving forward. Crafting Scholars develops customized learning plans aligned with each students’ unique needs, abilities, and goals to maximize their potential. Contact us today to learn more about available programs and reserve your child’s spot!