When they have a clear picture of where they want to be, they can keep going even when it’s tough.

So if your teen is having trouble staying motivated to do well in school, help him write some goals. The goals should be as clear as possible. Choose two or three goals. One might be, “I want to earn a B in history.”

After writing the goals, help your teen think about why he can meet his goals. He might say, “I am willing to study for at least an hour a day.”

Next, think about things that might stand in the way. “If I start watching TV after school, I don’t always get to my school work.”

Finally, list ways to overcome the problems. “I won’t turn on TV until after I have completed my homework.”

Keep the list where your teen can see it. By keeping his goals in sight, he will be motivated to reach them.

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