It feels like not even a student but every single human being, irrespective of their age and profession has a period in their life where they feel unmotivated even after achieving great heights in their life. Is it normal? ABSOLUTELY IT IS. No one is going to be cheerful all the time. Let us know What Do You Say To An Unmotivated Student?
But in the case of students, we must give special focus on their mental health. They are learning to cope with stress. We must make them understand things. Now the question comes, how one can handle a student who is unmotivated and feels like he can’t do anything. What is the thing that we have to keep in mind if we are dealing with a student who is unmotivated in their life?
Let us talk about some ways of making a student feel relaxed and help them gain their confidence back.
Make them feel comfortable.
Most of the time it happens that a student feels that whatever he may be going through is only happening to him and no one has gone through that. It feels that if he opens up to someone, they are going to make fun of him. The first thing you can do is to sit with the student and let him know that it is safe for him to talk about his feelings and emotions. Make him understand that whatever has been bothering him is not strong enough to let him down and that he can fight it.
If someone feels comfortable in your presence, then definitely he will be going to share his problems with you.
Allow students to help each other.
While it is very much important for a student to complete their task themselves but let them also that it is okay to reach out for help sometimes. And it is also okay to help others. I have come across few teachers who don’t allow their students to either take or help each other and because of this practice most of the time it happens that either student feels hesitant to go out his way and do something new because he thinks that his teachers won’t appreciate it or try to hide his mistake by making up things or giving excuses for the same.
It is perfectly fine for someone to help others and also to take help when in need. We all are humans, we all are learning at every stage of our life.
Appreciate them when they try something new and failed in it.
Okay, so you only appreciate a student only if they achieve great remarks and make fun when they try something new and failed in it? Well, in that case, you might be the reason for their feeling unmotivated. Feels harsh but it is true. By not appreciating their efforts in trying something new, you are giving an idea to them that one should only do things that he can and not try something that he has no experience of.
Tell me one thing, How a student is going to grow as a person if he is only allowed to move within their comfort zone? Life is not a one-step process. We have to do things for the first time. We have to fail in order to learn what fits us the best and whatnot. APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS.
Reward them for their hard work.
We all see all the time that the student who has secured the first position in the class gets all the attention. WHY ONLY HIM? Have you ever thought of giving a special reward to a student who has improved his progress? NO, YOU DIDN’t. The reason behind this is that we have never seen someone doing it.
When a student performs better than what he performed earlier, reward them. It is going to make them understand that their hard work is not going in vain. People are appreciating their efforts in improving his grades.
Try to make a silly mistake while handling a student.
Make mistake in front of a student? How that’s going to help? Let me tell you. When you make mistake and handle it with responsibility without freaking out, it gives them a signal that it is okay to make mistakes. Even their teacher or parent are not perfect and are not afraid of accepting when they are wrong.
It’s not always making them learn how not to commit a mistake but also making them learn how to handle their wrongdoing.
Taking a break is also important.
In school, teachers always tell the student to study more and when children get back home their parents make them go to tuition and pressurize them to self-studies. Well, also these things are important but the teachers and parents should also make their children understand that IT IS OAKY TO TAKE BREAK. Let them know that it is okay for them to feel exhausted and it is okay if they want to take some rest out f their routine.
Go to picnic with them once in a while. Play with them. Visit their favorite place with them.
Get them a pet.
YES, YOU READ IT RIGHT. Getting a pet is going to be very helpful for children and adults as well. Imagine coming back home, all exhausted from your school and work and as soon as you enter your home, you see a dog coming toward you to greet you with hugs and kisses. You will feel a lot better after spending 10 minutes with your pet. Do that for your children too.
Having a pet will also going to develop humanity in children. Children will going to take care of their per, will go to walk with them, play with them, eat with them and what not. Think how happy your child is going to be.
All students are different and the reason for their feeling unmotivated is different. Learn to become their friends. They are still learning. Help them learn.
