Crisis help

School motivation: what's expected and what deserves attention

School and emotions can't be separated. What's part of this stage and what's worth a closer look.

2 min read

What's expected

  • Less motivation in the classes that don't interest them.
  • Wondering what the point is of what they're learning.
  • Uneven performance, with good and bad stretches.
  • Caring more about their group of friends than about academics.

What deserves attention

  • A sustained drop in performance, with no clear explanation.
  • Active resistance to going.
  • Saying they can't do it, or that they're no good at school.
  • A sudden change after something that happened.

School and emotions go together

A teen who is doing okay can get through school even if they don't like it. A teen who is not doing okay will struggle even if the school is a good one. When there are problems at school, it's always worth asking first how they're doing.

School also touches self-esteem, belonging and what they want. Distress about school doesn't always come out as a complaint: sometimes it comes out as apathy.

A question to take with you

If grades didn't exist, what would you want to know about how things are going for them?

Signs to get help right away

It's best to talk to a professional right away if:

  • They've stopped going to school, or every morning is a battle to get them there.
  • School causes them intense distress, crises or freezing up.
  • The drop at school comes along with isolation, intense sadness or substance use.
  • There are signs they're being bullied at school.
  • They can't manage even the most basic organization.
  • Every conversation about school ends in a damaging fight.

If, along with the school issues, you notice sadness, hopelessness or isolation, also take a look at the Mood and emotions topic.

You don't have to wait for the problem to get bigger to ask for help.

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