Youth can forge their own path, engage their passions, and light thousands of sparks to become the person they want to be with this interactive guide to forming their own identity. The teen years don't have to be a struggle!
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What To Do When Hard Work Doesn't Pay Off At School ....
What do you tell students who work hard at school, but don't have the grades to show for it? Not every one learns the same way, and it can be extremely frustrating to study hard, care about having a good report card, and still struggle in school. So, how can we keep our youth from giving up ... or think they're not good enough ... or lose confidence in achieving their dreams? History is full of stories of people who struggled in school, but went on to become great successes. Here's an excerpt from Ignite Your Spark on how youth can rethink academic setbacks and continue to work towards their future:
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What if you study hard and don't make great grades? Maybe you have a difficult time taking tests? Or have a hard time focusing in a quiet classroom? Maybe you're better at interactive learning. All of these reasons and many more can make school extremely frustrating. If this is the case, try talking to your parents and teachers about these issues. You do not have to struggle with this alone. They may be able to make some modifications that suit your learning style. No two people learn in the same way, and the goal is to find what works best for you. Don't let a bad grade change your future. There are many different ways to get where you're going, so don't give up on a dream because of grades.
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Here's an example of exploring options to go after a dream: You want to be a chef. You love to cook for your family and friends, and you dream of owning your own restaurant someday. Unfortunately, you're not doing so hot in high school and are worried about getting into culinary school. Your favorite teacher recommends you get a part-time job in a restaurant and find a mentor. Once you start working at the restaurant, you start talking to the chefs and realize half of them went to culinary school, while the other half apprenticed as a chef with someone. Whenever you have an opportunity, you use your school projects to learn new things about the industry. Just last week you wrote a paper on Mexican cuisine for your Spanish class. You've learned that as long as you work hard, you will be able to pursue your dream of becoming a chef.
Further Reading & Resources
16 Wildly Successful People Who Overcame Huge Obstacles To Get There (Renee Jacques, Huffington Post)
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When Your Child Is Struggling Academically (PBS.org)
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Why Your Teen Or Tween May Be Frustrated With School -- And What You Can Say To Help (Lexi Walters Wright)
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The 3-Word Study Tip, (Daniel Coyle, thetalentcode.com)