Combine that tendency

with the fact that there may be some boring teachers and boring subjects in the world and you may have a teen whose constant refrain seems to be, “But that class is so boring!”

Learning to make a boring situation more interesting is important for your teen’s grade point average. It’s also a valuable skill for real life. Here are some questions to ask your teen:

• Are you up to date on your studying and your homework? Students who don’t have the basic foundation for what the teacher is saying are bound to be bored.

• Do you sometimes not pay attention? This question is less intimidating than “Do you pay attention?” Students have responsibility for their own learning, and paying attention to the teacher is a first step.

• How are you doing in the class? It’s easier for a teen to say “I’m bored” than “I just don’t understand chemistry.” If your teen’s grades aren’t what they need to be, you may need to get extra help.

• Do you participate when you have a chance? Encourage your teen to look for ways to play an active role in what goes on in class.

• Do you ask questions? Asking questions demands thinking. Encourage your teen to jot down questions that she thinks of during the class. Talk about them with her and encourage her to ask at least one question of the teacher.

• Do you take notes and write personal examples when the teacher lectures? Taking notes while the teacher is talking will increase a student’s involvement in the class.

These tips won’t turn every class into an exciting adventure. But they will help your teen’s boredom turn to involvement.

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