Feeling blah? 5 Tips to Keep Motivated in High School

As students, we all know how hard it is to stay motivated and get good grades in school.

So, sometimes we get stressed out. As a result, we get complacent about schoolwork. If, like me, you’re someone for whom academics are going to be important for your future, then you can’t afford to become complacent.

If you don’t want to lose focus on your school work, then I have a very important piece of advice. It’s from my father, who is very important to me. He says, you can either work really hard right now in high school and college so that you can have an easier life with a good career for the rest of your life. Or, you can take the easy route now, coasting through school and have to work really hard in the future to make a living.

Everybody has a different path that they are going to follow, but that doesn’t mean any of them are less important.

I plan to go to college for a STEM career. If you’re someone like me, his advice might really help you stay motivated for the future and focused on school.

Always look at the bigger picture. Never forget what your dreams are for your future. You would be surprised at how much wanting something can help you go to great lengths to achieve those goals. If you take the easy path in school, you may regret it.

It is not my intent to preach at you and tell you things that you’ve no doubt heard a thousand times before. I just want you to take control of your future, because we are the ones who are going to be the adults of tomorrow.

So here’s my advice:

• School can be hard, and it’s important to keep good grades, but that isn’t everything. Make sure to keep your schedule open for friends, family, clubs, sports and your favorite hobbies. Your happiness is a very important thing; you should always think of it first. If you’re happy in school, it may be easier to get good grades. Consequently, you might get a really good job that you enjoy.

• If you find yourself in need of a break from all the stressors of school and all the pressures that come with it, take a day of complete relaxation on the weekend. You need to be able to recharge. Like I said, take care of yourself. You shouldn’t only focus on the future, but also the present.

• Friends are important in this time of your life. They can either be good or bad influences. Good friends can really help with motivation in school. You can have tons of different friends, but it’s advantageous to have one or two that share your aspirations for the future. You can encourage and guide one another to be your best selves. Plus, a little healthy and kind competition is never a bad idea. (Don’t be mean about it, though!)

• Celebrate all your little achievements. I know that sometimes school can feel a little hopeless, but if you appreciate stuff that you’ve done, then you will feel better about your future accomplishments and that they are possible.

• One of my friends says, find your rhythm and work with it. If you’re someone who does well on a project by doing small parts each day, work on it in increments. Or, if you’re someone who likes to power through something in one go, go for it! It’s all about your style. Doing an assignment in an enjoyable way can make it more bearable and fun.

• Always look to the future you want to have, because nothing is impossible if you put your effort into it.

Looking for more tips from the TeenLife Experts? Build this study habit while you're in high school.]