Student motivation and engagement

compmom
Sat, 07 Aug 2021 15:27:33 +0000

There’s plenty of time. Sometimes there are reasons for avoidance, such as not wanting to face the dramatic changes ahead. COVID no doubt is a factor too.

In Sept. several years ago, my son (who was a high achiever academically) seemed totally disengaged from the college search. I told him he did not have to go to college and could get a job instead, that was fine by me, not as a threat but as a real option. I went out and when I came back he had made a color coded chart!

Still he finished his essay in a few days in late Dec., just before the deadline, and got in to his top choice.

It’s a tricky balance, nudging , staying available, but letting them have autonomy in the process. None of us parents do it perfectly but they end up at school nevertheless. It’s early, it’s summer and there is a lot of uncertainty in the air. I am sure they will come around when they need to.

And if not, they can get a job!