High school has got to be the most difficult time for parents to manage their teens’ study habits. A recent study shows that 1 in 5 Australian school students are disengaged from school. That disengagement tends to worsen as students get older, with the biggest drop happening between Year 7 and Year 9. So, if you’re a bit stumped by your teen’s learning slump, you’re in good company.
It’s really not hard to pick up the signs of a disengaged student. They’re unable to manage their workload, get extra anxious about exams or passing assignments, or can’t organize their time properly. Of course, the most tangible and critical sign is that their marks don’t reflect their REAL abilities.
Regardless of the warning signs you’re seeing when it comes to your child’s engagement (or disengagement) with their learning, it is critical to address the root cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. Academic engagement is crucial to keep your child proactive and organised in their studies – it’s going to be the engine that’ll get them through the school year, especially when things get rough.
But first, why is disengagement so rampant? It’s like this wildfire that seems impossible to put out.
We did some research recently and found that students are burning out earlier than even five years ago. The burnout curve is now peaking earlier than in previous years, probably about 15-20%. When overwhelmed and stressed, students are less likely to stick to productive habits and instead be tempted by quick ‘dopamine fixes’ like YouTube and social media. Just as we avoid overwhelming situations, students also disengage in school when they feel burnout.
Another common reason for students disengaging is a lack of clarity for the future. When students can’t see how studying benefits them in the long run, as with any sane person, they won’t stay consistent and motivated for the task.
But here’s the cold reality: their academic engagement and school marks aren’t going to get better without timely intervention.
Student disengagement is affecting more students more severely as time passes. The year and exams – they wait for no one. And as time passes, it’s going to be more challenging to break, and avoidance of tasks can turn into flat out school refusal and dropping out. And with schools overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with each student’s unique learning needs, more and more parents are looking for a more strategic approach to ensuring their child’s academic results are balanced with their wellbeing and lifelong learning skills.
The key to addressing the problem is to improve their learning behaviours so we can increase their academic results. When we aim for behavioural change, the transformation is lasting and genuine, setting them up for academic and long-term success.
We’re excited as you to help your child overcome their learning slump, so let’s get started!
Let’s dive into how we helped five students go from struggling or overwhelmed, to motivated, confident and scoring over 90% across 3 subjects.
1. Design a personalised program for structured study.
A personalised study plan is THE secret weapon to unlock your child’s potential. It taps into their unique interests and strengths, while addressing the areas where they struggle. Having a structured study plan that’s personalised to you not only strengthens your child’s resilience but also reduces resistance. As a result, your teen feels more and more confident to tackle their workload throughout the year. It also gives them the power and momentum to push through tough moments.
By tailoring HOW your child learns to WHAT they are learning, and integrating tools like an assessment tracker that matches the cadence of the term, they can tackle even the most demanding content with focus and determination throughout the year.
2. Collaborate on an assessment tracker.
An assessment tracker is your surefire battle plan against anxiety and procrastination. It goes beyond being just a planner or organizer; it’s a powerful tool that provides real-time insights into whether your child is on track, behind, or even better yet – when they’re AHEAD!
But it goes beyond just organization. It continually measures their study effectiveness through the outcomes they achieve and the effort they put in. For students, especially those who procrastinate, it acts as a standardised yardstick, helping them prioritize tasks and assess their importance. As a result, students are more relaxed and proactive, and they manage their time and studies more effectively.
3. Replace procrastination with focalization.
The third key area we focus on is addressing procrastination and enhancing focus. This approach helps students self-regulate when they start to drift off course, providing clear steps to get back on track.
The strategy is personalised for each student, but those who start using it in the first three weeks typically reduce procrastination by up to 20%. Just imagine if your child became 20% more productive—think of what they could achieve!
It may seem impossible for your child to study without being told, organize their schoolwork consistently, or finish something they started without you breathing down their neck, but we’ve seen it happen with our students many times.
When they are motivated and focused, it’s easy to keep them engaged, organised, and proactive. In turn, this behavioural change will result in better marks, a balanced personal life, and, most importantly, a happier home.
Ready to take action?
Book a free discovery session with our Education Strategist today to learn how we can help create a tailored success strategy for your child.
