I have known a few really smart teenagers who did their homework, but didn't turn it in, and therefore, suffered bad grades because of it. When compounded over time this can be problematic. The question everyone who cares about that teen is why? I don't know if we'll ever know the answer to that question, but the problem still remains: some teens struggle more than others at succeeding in school. It's not because they aren't just as smart. There can be other underlying reasons. The following are some common reasons for academic problems and possible solutions.
Self perception. It may just be that your kid is their own worst enemy when it comes to school work. They may believe that they are not good at a certain subject and therefore don't perform well in that discipline. If you believe this to be true of your teen, then it will be your job to help build up some positive academic self-image. Praise them in small successes. Help them to see what they are good at instead of pointing out what they are not.
Fear of Failure. If a fear of failure instead of a drive to succeed motivates your teen to study, then they are more likely to struggle. Help them to find their own reason to succeed. "Teach them a self-reward system...Encourage [them] to plan a certain reward for their academic accomplishments, whether it be an ice cream sundae, a trip to the mall, or a weekend camping trip (Group, 97)".
Internal Incentives. Similarly, students who have their own drive to succeed coming form within them, instead of externally, simply do better in school than those who don't. Students who don't see the point of learning a certain subject because they don't see how they will use it in real life can have a hard time being motivated in that subject. You know your teen better than anybody who cares about them. Knowing their interests, you might be able to help find a way to be internally motivated to learn in any subject in which they aren't doing well. You might be able to help them to see the value in learning the subject they are struggling with for learning's sake, not just for a grade.
Whatever the problem, the important thing is for you to be there for them with a listening ear. Ask questions, and as hard as it may be, be supportive. It may just be that there are some major learning disadvantages (ADD or ADHD, depression, anxiety, or substance abuse). There is a lot of help out there from tutors to doctors and everything in between. Take advantage of the help that is out there so your teen doesn't fall too far behind.*
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
~Proverbs 2:1-6, NIV
*Most of the content from this blog post comes from Group's Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministry, pp. 91-100.
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