Motivation for studies
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Reading motivational books can be quite useful and inspiring.
Just to recommend this inspiring Math Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452289491/ref%3Das_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0452289491&linkCode=as2&tag=singmathtuit-20&linkId=MGGFN6JSMT5ZHD4A
You can find it in library or buy from Amazon.
Maths is one of the most important subjects in O Levels, since doing well in Maths means doing well in 3 subjects namely :E Maths, A Maths,(and usually Physics too). These three subjects are usually interlinked, and students who do well in one will do well in the other 2.
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Some motivational books that may be useful, hope it helps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981363903/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0981363903&linkCode=as2&tag=singmathtuit-20&linkId=SLL6VINHA3GQ75WY -
Oh dear, this sounds very worrisome when O levels is just round the corner.
Did you have a heart to heart talk n find out what is the source of his problem? Has he been like that since Sec 3 or just only now? Is he burnt out from school?
I think you need to find out what is the real issue n tackle it soon. IMHO, just by pushing him to studies will not help much. -
Maybe give him instant reward and penalty?
Confiscate his handphone and forbid him from watching TV? Then, everytime he finishes doing something, let him use the phone for 10 minutes or watch TV for 10 minutes. -
At his age, he needs to have internal motivation. I don’t think a reward/penalty system will work unless he himself agrees to it in the first place. Is he stressed? Some people experience low energy levels and just give up when stressed. Has he seen a counselor? That might produce some answers.
Another thing you could try is to tell him that you will withdraw him from the O levels this year as he is not preparing for it, and then he can decide whether to continue schooling next year. In the meanwhile, make him get a job of some kind. The reality check may help. You will need to ask if the school is willing to back you up in this though. -
I agree with slmkhoo about internal motivation. My DS is also not motivated n he tells me he needs inner motivation in order to study hard. I think he is still searching for ‘enlightenment’. I only hope his enlightenment comes just before O levels next year or he will be in deep hot soup.
On the other hand, I don’t agree with slmkhoo about him finding a job. Chances are he wont want to go back to studies immediately. He will probably regret n decide to go back to books only in his 20s. Withdrawing from O levels is a good idea but he shld continue his studies n not take up a job. To me, that is a very risky option. -
zbear:
On the other hand, I don't agree with slmkhoo about him finding a job. Chances are he wont want to go back to studies immediately. He will probably regret n decide to go back to books only in his 20s. Withdrawing from O levels is a good idea but he shld continue his studies n not take up a job. To me, that is a very risky option.
My thinking is that the kind of job that he can get with no O levels would not be attractive and would make him realise that he needs more qualifications. It may be the reality check he needs. -
slmkhoo:
If ask him to work now -zbear:
On the other hand, I don't agree with slmkhoo about him finding a job. Chances are he wont want to go back to studies immediately. He will probably regret n decide to go back to books only in his 20s. Withdrawing from O levels is a good idea but he shld continue his studies n not take up a job. To me, that is a very risky option.
My thinking is that the kind of job that he can get with no O levels would not be attractive and would make him realise that he needs more qualifications. It may be the reality check he needs.
Can work : both ways.
If it able to knock sense into him, make him see reality & importance of studies, then good.
Eg : his boss may encourage to study while he still can.
Otherwise, hard to get good job with good prospects.
If pple around him can help advise him, point out the correct direction / path in life to walk, Yes, this is good.
But it may also back fire the other way round.
Because bad colleagues or introduce friends to him, may influence him.
Your son is at a age, where he cAn be easily influenced, his mind & thoughts highly impressionable, depend on who he mix around with.
If Teach him wrong things, lead him astray.
Tell him things like study so much for what ?
come ! I show you a fast & quick method of earning fast buck !
Once you got $ money, you want any women, also can.
If influenced this way -
You going to lose yr son, because he won't be interested in studies anymore.
So if you let him start working so young in life, depend on what fate has in store for him.
Will he get into encounter with good or bad colleagues / outside friends ? -
You can try this method of studying: Pomodoro Method
(http://mathtuition88.com/2013/11/06/stu ... technique/)
It is basically breaking up a big task (studying for O levels) into smaller tasks. All you need is a kitchen timer.
Time 30 minutes study, followed by 5 minutes break. Every 4 cycles allowed to take a longer 30 minutes break. I personally use this technique too, as it helps to get started. Getting started is the hardest part of doing revision.
There are five basic steps to implementing the technique:
1.Decide on the task to be done
2.Set the pomodoro timer to n minutes (traditionally 25)[1]
3.Work on the task until the timer rings; record with an x
4.Take a short break (3–5 minutes)
5.After four pomodori, take a longer break (15–30 minutes) -
phtthp:
But it may also back fire the other way round.
Because bad colleagues or introduce friends to him, may influence him.
Your son is at a age, where he cAn be easily influenced, his mind & thoughts highly impressionable, depend on who he mix around with.
If Teach him wrong things, lead him astray.
Tell him things like study so much for what ?
come ! I show you a fast & quick method of earning fast buck !
Once you got $ money, you want any women, also can.
We had lunch at Macdonalds n happen to sit next to a young boy (around 15 years old) with 2 young girls. He is speaking in Hokkien vulgar language very loudly n is holding a cigarette pack. Its obvious he is a school dropout n he was telling the girls that he has just got his salary ---- so is he showing that he is better off working than schooling?
How much can he earn without a proper education? N with smoking, I doubt if his pay can support his expensive habit.
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