Is your teen ready to smash Term 2? Checklists? Done. Are they slowly coming back to a reasonable bedtime? Check.
Are they confident, organised and motivated to go back to school? Well, fingers crossed.
A lot of parents see academic motivation as one of their biggest challenges with their teens. They might see their child ‘look’ ready for the new term ahead. And then next thing you know, that momentum fades into hours of YouTube, procrastination, and last-minute assignments once school starts again. And if you’re a parent, it may make you feel like you’re back to square one.
But here’s the good news: you can motivate your child no matter what they’re feeling right now – whether they’re fired up with their goals or completely dreading schoolwork.
We often talk about motivation as an emotion or feeling, as if it’s something we feel like doing or not.
Motivation isn’t a feeling. It’s a type of energy. One that makes things easier but sometimes it takes a little bit of time to gather. But when your child is motivated – things just work. They are IN THE ZONE.
And really, you want your child not just to feel motivated but BE motivated. Otherwise, they’ll only ‘do’ things when the ‘nice feelings’ are there but when things get rough, well that’s when things fall apart.
With Term 2 on the horizon, I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to think about motivation in a different way.
What if motivation isn’t constantly refilling your child’s tank whenever they’re feeling low or disinterested?
What if it’s more of designing a system that sustains your child’s momentum for this term and beyond?
That’s the core of the Kalibrate-Ed methodology: treating motivation as a reliable and sustainable system that your child can control at any time. In fact, we’ve created a 3-step rapid response guide to support teenagers who struggle with motivation and focus.
It’s not just about wellbeing and results though. Motivation is a lifelong skill. It’s not just just about getting through high school— it’s for setting themselves up for long-term success, in uni, your child’s career, and beyond.
Since motivation is a process, what are its key components?
First, consider the environment in which motivation thrives—where is a motivated student found, and what are they doing? For example, motivated students stay focused on their work and are not distracted by social media or procrastination. They are also found in spaces that allow for optimal learning and concentration.
Next, explore their values— What is essential to a motivated student? What is their purpose for studying and the goals they work hard for? Do they believe in consistency, putting in the effort, and seeing progress? Do they believe in being able to contribute their talents and skills for the greater good?
Belief systems also play a significant role in motivation. What are your child’s beliefs about school and studying? Do they believe that studying at the last minute will still get them their desired results? Do they believe planning and organising optimise results? Motivated students have a set of beliefs that propel them to act proactively, even without external rewards or pressure from school or family.
And fourth, how does a motivated student go about specific tasks, actions, and goals? For example, a motivated person would want to get their work done effectively and not leave things to the last minute. To do that, they would plan their activities and ensure they had enough time to finish their tasks.
These elements build the foundation of sustainable motivation. It’s going to tell if your child pushes through a challenging term with energy and grit, or if they’re going to succumb to the pressure. It’s going to tell if they would work for the uni or course they’ve always wanted or settle for the most convenient route.
To help you design a personalised motivation system for your child, here are some strategies proven to help struggling students go from overwhelmed and avoidant to confident and motivated.
1. Identify areas of disinterest and help boost dopamine levels.
If your teen seems uninterested in school or specific activities, it might be less about laziness and more about the lack of dopamine, the brain’s natural “feel-good” chemical. This could happen if teens find social media or other activities more rewarding in terms of dopamine release.
The good news is that you can motivate your child by making tasks more naturally satisfying. Simple strategies like habit stacking and mindset hacks can help their brain associate studying with a reward. An example of habit stacking is linking homework to a positive routine. If your child enjoys an afternoon snack, schedule the study session right after the snack to link homework with a satisfying activity.
Mindset shifts also work wonders: helping teens focus on small wins and the satisfaction of progress when completing tasks can spark that same dopamine boost. With a few clever tweaks to their study routine, you can help your teen feel more motivated and focused when studying.
2. Tap into their value systems.
Want your teen to care more about school? Start with what they care about. When you connect schoolwork to their personal values—like independence, creativity, or making a difference—it suddenly feels more relevant.
Got a teen who craves freedom? Remind them that mastering math or writing skills gives them more control over their future. It’s not just homework—it’s a stepping stone to the life they want.
Speak their language, and you’ll spark motivation that lasts longer than a TikTok trend.
3. Create a supportive environment.
Fostering a supportive environment — one that encourages children rather than criticising them when they lose focus — can also enhance motivation. Parents can bolster their child’s motivation and self-esteem by providing positive reinforcement and acknowledging their efforts, especially during tough times. If your child finds it hard to jumpstart learning sessions straight from the holidays, help them with the easiest ones first. A change in scenery can also get the creative juices flowing and unplug mental blocks.
During learning sessions, you can also support your child by removing distractions, providing resources, and fostering an atmosphere where children feel safe to explore and learn.
Motivating your child doesn’t have to be a massive and complicated endeavour. At its core, it’s about creating a personalised system that leverages your child’s values and beliefs, reinforces positive behaviours, and provides necessary support and encouragement.
With tailored support and targeted interventions, your child is going to experience significant improvement in their motivation levels, perform at their best, and regain their self-confidence.
If you want to quickly double-check if your child is all set for Term 2, download our Term 2 Readiness Checklist for Year 7-12 Parents. Put it in your back pocket and check off the items on the list when you have time over the holidays. It’s THAT easy!
