close up photography of colored pencils

Secret School Tips For Parents 

colored pencils representing school tips for parents

As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve good grades. However, sometimes you may worry about your child’s performance and be unsure how to support them best. 

Will they struggle with studying? Will they fall behind? 

No parent deserves to be stressed out constantly, and students deserve the support they need to reach their potential. To help out, I’ve created a list of secret school tips that can help your teenager get good grades and thrive academically. With these school tips and hacks, you can empower your teenager without becoming a drill instructor. 

Why Your Teen Needs School Tips and Hacks 

Let’s face it, school is complex, and it’s gotten much more complicated since you were in school. If your teen struggles, it’s probably not because they are lazy. There is a good chance that your teen is putting in the effort behind closed doors. 

Academic struggles are not always indicative of a lack of intelligence or ability. Instead, they may be due to various factors that can be addressed with the proper support and strategies. 

Working hard is not a guaranteed path to success anymore. Your teen needs to work smarter, not harder. 

Unfortunately, your teen is probably not learning the skills needed to work efficiently in school. Schools nowadays are far too focused on content and end-of-year exams. As a result, your teen may face some of the following challenges:

frustrated students need school tips

Lack of practical study skills: Many teens may not have developed effective study skills, such as time management, note-taking, or active reading techniques. These skills are crucial for academic success as they help students organize and retain information effectively.

Weak organizational skills: Teens may struggle with staying organized, keeping track of assignments, managing deadlines, or prioritizing tasks. Poor organizational skills can lead to missed assignments, lower grades, and increased stress.

Lack of motivation or engagement: Some teenagers may struggle with low motivation or lack interest in their studies. This can be due to various reasons, such as disinterest in the subject matter, lack of clear goals, or external distractions.

Until your teen develops these skills or improves their mindset, there is a good chance that they will struggle academically. Thankfully, you can use these tips to help them bridge the gap and get on the right path.  

The 4 Secret School Tips and Hacks for Getting Good Grades:

I’ve developed these success tips for school students based on my 20 years of experience as an educator. You know your teenager better than anyone else, so pick the information you think is most applicable to their situation. 

I recommend implementing 1-2 tips at a time. Otherwise, you might overwhelm your teen. 

a dart board representing setting goals for students

School Tip 1: Set Clear Goals 

Working with your teenager to set clear behavior-based goals can have numerous benefits. Establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), goals together can help your teenager develop a sense of purpose and direction. 

Behavior-based goals focus on actions and habits that directly impact academic performance, such as completing homework on time, attending class regularly, and studying consistently. This approach encourages accountability and responsibility while also fostering a growth mindset. 

Additionally, focusing on and praising your teen’s behavior rather than the outcome will give them greater control over their academics and help them build confidence.

School Tip 2: Encourage Balance and Self-care

Encouraging school/life balance and engaging in self-care routines with your teenager can significantly benefit their academic performance. Prioritizing a healthy balance between school responsibilities and personal well-being is crucial for long-term success. 

You can model this by engaging in self-care routines alongside your teenager, such as exercising, practicing mindfulness, and setting aside time for hobbies and interests. These behaviors promote a healthy mindset, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, which can boost cognitive function and academic performance. 

A well-rested and emotionally balanced teenager is better equipped to manage their school workload, focus on their studies, and retain information. Encouraging school/life balance and self-care routines also helps prevent burnout, promotes time management skills, and encourages a positive approach to managing academic stress. 

clasped hands representing school tips of a supportive environment

School Tip 3: Foster A Supportive Environment 

Fostering a supportive environment with your teenager can positively impact their academic performance. Creating a safe space where mistakes are accepted, focusing on being encouraging, and demonstrating trust in your teen are vital components of fostering a supportive environment. 

When teenagers feel comfortable making mistakes without fear of harsh criticism, they are more likely to take risks, learn from their errors, and grow academically. Encouraging, offering praise, and celebrating their successes can boost their confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, improving their grades. 

Demonstrating trust in your teen by giving them autonomy, respecting their choices, and valuing their opinions can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over their education. Trusting your teen can inspire them to take their studies seriously, be proactive, and strive for excellence.

School Tip 4: Seek Help When Needed 

You should remember that they do not have to take on the burden of providing academic support alone. While tutoring can be a helpful resource for content-specific challenges, it may not always address the underlying foundational problems affecting their teenager’s academic performance. 

Instead, you may want to consider reaching out to an academic coach. Academic coaching goes beyond content knowledge and focuses on developing study skills, time management strategies, organizational techniques, and other essential skills to help students succeed. 

Academic coaches work with students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and create personalized plans to improve their academic performance. By seeking the right educational help, you can give your teenager the support they need to thrive in their studies and achieve academic success.

Implementing these secret school tips can empower your teenager to excel academically and succeed in high school. Remember that every student is unique, so it’s important to tailor these tips to your teenager’s needs and learning style. Working together as a team can help your teenager overcome academic challenges and thrive in their educational journey.

school tips can help parents collaborate

Parent-Teen Collaboration While Implementing School Tips 

It’s not uncommon for parents to face challenges when working with their teenagers on academic matters. Teens may resist parental involvement, ignore advice, or push back against perceived interference. 

This dynamic can create conflicts and strained relationships, as parents may struggle to understand why their teen isn’t listening to them or taking their guidance seriously. Teens may resist parental involvement for several reasons, such as a desire for independence, a lack of effective communication, or differences in learning styles and preferences.

In such situations, an academic coach can be a valuable intermediary between you and the teen. An academic coach is a neutral, trained professional who can bridge the gap and facilitate effective communication between parents and teens. They can provide personalized guidance and support to help teens improve their academic skills, set goals, and develop effective study habits without the emotional baggage that may come with parental involvement. 

An academic coach can also help you understand your teen’s unique needs and perspectives while providing practical strategies for parents to support their teen’s academic success. By working with an academic coach, you can alleviate some of the burden and frustration of navigating academic challenges with your teenager on their own, leading to a happier and healthier relationship between the parent and the teen.

Taking The Next Step

You can greatly support your children’s academic success by implementing secret school tips such as setting behavior-based goals, encouraging effective study habits, fostering a supportive environment, promoting school/life balance and self-care, and seeking the right kind of academic help. 

As an academic coach, I am here to make this process easier for you and your child. I can provide personalized guidance, strategies, and support to help your child excel in their studies and achieve their academic goals. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for assistance in unlocking the secrets to academic success. Together, we can help your child thrive in their educational journey.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

Online Success Coach: Unlocking Your Teen’s Potential

A woman feeling accomplished after working with an online success coach

As a parent, you want your teen to succeed academically and in life. But what do you do when your teen struggles to keep up with their academic performance or fails to meet their goals? It can be frustrating, confusing, and even disheartening. But there is hope.

An online success coach can help your teen achieve their goals and overcome the challenges holding them back. This article will explore how an online success coach can make a difference and how to find the right coach for your teen.

Common Challenges Faced by Struggling Students

Before diving into how an online success coach can help, let’s look at some common challenges that struggling students face. 

Lack of motivation: Your teen may struggle to find the motivation to do their schoolwork or pursue their goals.

Poor time management: Your teen may struggle to manage their time effectively, leading to missed deadlines and poor grades.

Difficulty staying organized: Your teen may struggle to track assignments and due dates.

Lack of study skills: Your teen may not have developed practical study skills, making learning and retaining information difficult.

Low self-esteem: Your teen may feel down on themselves, impacting their academic performance.

Unfortunately, many of these challenges are compounded by schools focusing more on content than skills. Developing these skills is essential to long-term and sustained academic success. An online success coach can help your teen develop these skills and find a path forward. 

How an Online Success Coach Can Help Your Teen Overcome These Challenges

An online success coach can provide your teen personalized support and guidance to overcome these challenges.

A compass symbolizing the personalized support and guidance of an online success coach

An online Success Coach Provides Personalized Support and Guidance 

One of the biggest reasons teens struggle in the classroom is that school has become increasingly impersonal. School treats students like numbers instead of individuals, and teachers have too many responsibilities to give students one-on-one time. 

An online success coach can work one-on-one with your teen to understand their unique needs and develop a plan to help them achieve their goals.

By getting to know each client personally, an online success coach can create a tailored plan to help them identify and overcome obstacles hindering their progress toward success. 

This individualized support can include setting realistic goals, developing strategies to achieve those goals, and providing accountability and support throughout the journey. Through regular communication and feedback, an online success coach can help your teen stay focused, motivated, and on track.  

A Coach Can Help Your Teen Set Achievable Goals 

An online success coach can be a valuable resource for helping teenagers set achievable behavior-based goals. 

Many teen’s focus on outcome instead of behavior. This is a recipe for disaster. An online success coach can identify specific behaviors or habits hindering academic success, such as procrastination, poor time management, or lack of motivation. 

Based on this information, the coach can help your teenager set realistic and achievable behavior-based goals that address these issues. If your teenager struggles with procrastination, their coach may suggest setting a goal to complete homework assignments at a specific time each day. 

By focusing on specific behaviors rather than just academic outcomes, your teenager can build positive habits to improve academic performance. The ongoing support and guidance an online success coach provides can help your teenager stay accountable and motivated. Ultimately, this can significantly impact your teenager’s academic success and set them up for success in their future endeavors.

a student using effective study skills

Your Teen Will Learn Effective Study Skills 

An online success coach can be instrumental in helping your teenager develop practical study skills that can positively impact their academic performance. With the support of a coach, your teen can identify the most effective study techniques based on their learning style and preferences. 

Your teen can learn strategies like breaking down large assignments into smaller tasks, using flashcards, creating study guides, or developing a consistent study schedule. The coach can also help teenagers establish practical time management skills to balance their academic responsibilities with other essential activities. 

By working with an online success coach, your teenager can gain the skills and confidence to approach their academic work with greater focus, efficiency, and success. As a result, they can achieve better grades, feel more confident in their abilities, and be better prepared for future academic challenges. 

The impact of developing practical study skills can extend beyond the classroom, as these skills can also be valuable in other areas of life, such as in future career endeavors.

Coaches Improve Your Teen’s Time Management and Organizational Skills 

One of the areas that teenagers struggle the most is with time management and organization. Your teenager can succeed in school but will likely struggle if they lack these skills. 

Unfortunately, your teen probably did not receive instruction on these essential abilities in the classroom. An online success coach can help them develop the skills to manage their time and organize their schoolwork. 

Through personalized coaching sessions, an online success coach can work with your teenager to identify their strengths and weaknesses regarding time management and organization. They can help your teenager develop practical strategies for managing their time more effectively, such as prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and breaking down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. 

Additionally, the coach can help your teenager develop better organizational skills, such as keeping track of assignments and due dates, maintaining an organized workspace, and developing effective note-taking strategies. 

By improving their time management and organizational skills, your teenager can reduce stress and anxiety, become more efficient in completing tasks, and ultimately achieve better grades. Moreover, these skills can also benefit other areas of their life, such as their future career endeavors. 

confidence is an important trait for students

Boosts Confidence and Motivation 

Even the best students struggle with confidence and motivation, and these two traits can be the difference between success and failure in high school. 

By building a solid relationship with your teen and demonstrating their interest in your teen’s success, an online success coach is uniquely positioned to help your teen boost their confidence and motivation.

An online success coach can work with your teenager to identify their strengths and weaknesses and help them develop a growth mindset. Some steps an online success coach can take include setting achievable goals and developing strategies to overcome obstacles and setbacks. 

By providing positive reinforcement and encouragement, an online success coach can help your teenager build confidence in their abilities and feel motivated to take on new challenges. This boost in confidence and motivation can significantly impact their academic performance, as it can help them overcome self-doubt, push past obstacles, and achieve better results. 

More importantly, this can also positively impact their overall well-being, leading to increased self-esteem, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Overall, an online success coach can provide valuable support and guidance to help your teenager become more confident, motivated, and successful in all aspects of their life.

Finding the Right Online Success Coach for Your Teen

Finding the right online success coach for your teenager can be daunting, but it’s essential. One way to start is by looking for coaches who specialize in academic coaching. An academic coach has the necessary skills and experience to help your teenager achieve their academic goals. 

If you want to learn more about how I can help your teenager as an online success coach, I invite you to book a free call with me. Together, we can discuss your teenager’s needs and goals and develop a plan to help them succeed.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

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School Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure

School is setting your child up for failure

Schools don’t care about students and are setting your child up for failure.

You are probably thinking, WOAH, that is absolutely not true. Teachers pour their hearts into their students, and counselors work with students to find solutions to their mental health challenges. So how can it be that schools don’t care about students? 

I completely agree with you. Teachers, counselors, and other educational support staff care about students, but the school system does not. 

As a former classroom teacher, I know how much the teachers, counselors, and school staff care about their students. However, the system they are a part of does not value students as they do. 

The school system is too dependent on end-of-year exams to evaluate student performance and the performance of administrators and teachers.

The impersonal nature of end-of-year exams turns your son or daughter into a number rather than an individual, which can have severe consequences for their academic growth and future.

Keep reading to learn how schools’ testing priorities shift the classroom dynamic, how it impacts your child, and what you can do about it.

End-Of-Year Exams are Setting Your Child Up For Failure

The care and compassion that teachers have for their students have not changed. However, their ability to do their jobs had changed dramatically. I want to be clear that I am not calling teachers negligent or incapable and have tremendous respect, and I know their struggle intimately. I see teachers as victims of this system that has turned them into cogs in a machine.

Schools have undergone a dramatic shift in the last several decades. Before the widespread introduction of end-of-year exams, teachers could implement the lessons they thought were the most effective for teaching content standards.

Schools trusted teachers to use their experience and expertise to teach the content. They also had the flexibility to change their teaching approach to meet the specific needs of students. If a teacher found students were lacking a skill like organization or goal setting, a teacher could dedicate classroom time to working on this skill.

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Schools are increasingly reliant on end-of-year exams as a measure of student performance as well as teacher performance.

Standardized testing is setting your child up for failure

Focusing On Content Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure

The emphasis and value placed on end-of-year exams trickle down and influence how content is taught. With the focus on exams, teachers must prioritize subject-specific content over teaching to the student’s needs.

Due to the sheer amount of content teachers are expected to cover, there is no time to teach the skills necessary for success. Teachers have to deal with content standards that leave no time to teach anything other than the standards. Sometimes, there isn’t enough time to cover the standards, let alone essential soft skills that won’t be on the exam.

Beyond the classroom, the use of end-of-year exams highly impacts school administration and its approach to creating an effective learning environment. School administrators have to prove that their school is meeting standards. The pressure to meet standards means teachers must spend more time and energy preparing students for the exams rather than focusing on what students need to be successful adults.

The reality is that schools are not necessarily interested in the individual student’s success. They are more concerned with their overall performance as a school and how they measure up to other schools in the district.

This approach leaves no room for meeting the individual needs of the student. I would argue that it punishes attempts to spend time working on essential skills and other non-testable characteristics.

So even though teachers and school staff care deeply about the students and want to do what is best for them, the system prevents them from doing this. Instead, teachers are forced to treat your children like a number.

The Effect of Impersonal Teaching and the Modern Classroom on Your Child

Focusing on teaching to the test and end-of-year exams sets your child up for failure. Instead of learning essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, your child must memorize facts they can quickly look up on a smartphone. These types of tests can reinforce bad study habits.

Additionally, teachers don’t have the time to address the student’s individual needs. The rapidly increasing size of classrooms means that teachers do not have the time to meet with their child one-on-one and give them the attention that they need.

As a result, your child is learning information that may have little relevance to them, which can cause them to check out of school. Additionally, students who have difficulty understanding or retaining the content will likely fall further behind their peers.

Perhaps the biggest problem is that your child will not learn the foundational academic skills needed to succeed. Without these skills, they may have difficulty achieving in college or the workplace.

Learning skills like goal setting, routine, organization, and foundational skills will give your child the grounding to learn skills in the future. They will be at a disadvantage in college or the workplace without the time to practice them. School is setting your child up for failure.

Academic coaching can help prevent this problem

What You Can Do About It

Providing individualized attention outside of school is the best way to ensure your child learns the necessary skills. Investing your time and energy into helping them with their academics can go a long way in teaching them the skills they need. However, this can be time-consuming and cause conflict between you and your child.

Tutoring is also not a great option because tutors focus on content rather than skills. A tutor will teach your child the same information that they are learning in school for their end-of-year exams.

The best way to get your child the individualized attention they need is to hire an academic coach. An academic coach specializes in helping students develop their foundational skills and will treat your child as an individual instead of a number. They will work to tailor a plan specifically for your child and help them become a well-rounded student.

If you think an academic coach is a right solution for your child, let’s chat. I have helped many students develop their skills and increase their confidence. I would love to help your child too.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


Secret School Tips For Parents 
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
Online Success Coach: Unlocking Your Teen’s Potential
As a parent, you want your teen to succeed academically and in …
10 Bad Study Habits You Need to Break Immediately
In my experience as a classroom teacher and an academic coach, one …
10 Traits of A Good Student
A student is so much more than their grades. In fact, I …

Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

adult blur books close up

10 Bad Study Habits You Need to Break Immediately

you should break bad study habits as soon as possible

In my experience as a classroom teacher and an academic coach, one of the most common problems students face is bad study habits. Unfortunately, many students receive little instruction on proper study habits in elementary and middle school. Then, teachers suddenly expect students to know how to study in high school.

This approach sets up many students for failure and encourages the development of bad study habits. Developing bad study habits can have terrible consequences for students. Not only are they hard to break, but many students perceive that school isn’t for them simply because no one has taught them the skills they need to succeed.

Some students succeed despite their lousy study habits, but this requires a tremendous amount of effort, often leading to burnout in high school or college.

If you are ready to demonstrate your academic potential, and learn to work smarter instead of harder, keep reading. This article will outline ten bad study habits, their consequences, and how to break them. By the end of the article, you will be well on your way to better grades while spending less time studying.

10 Bad Study Habits

This list of bad study habits includes some obvious ones like multitasking and cramming, but it also consists of more subtle poor study habits that can set you up for failure.

1. Cramming

Cramming is one of the most common bad study habits. It is hazardous because it seems like you are doing something right. You have a test tomorrow and spend four hours studying for it. The problem is that this will only help you remember the material briefly instead of learning it.

Not only is cramming bad for your test grades, but it also encourages lousy study habits and does not equip you with the skills necessary to do well in college or beyond.

Instead of cramming, starting your studying in advance is far better. If you spread out your studying over three or four days, not only will you retain information better, but you will also reduce your stress levels.

You will find that by studying in advance, you can spend less time studying and get better results. Plan ahead, keep a schedule, and start studying four to five days before the test to study SMARTER, not harder.

multitasking is one of the worst study habits

2. Multitasking Is A Terrible Study Habit

Multitasking is another bad study habit that many students fall into. This bad habit can take many forms, from talking on the phone while studying to jumping back and forth between multiple projects.

Not only is multitasking bad for your grades, but it can also be bad for your health. Studies have shown that multitasking can cause significant stress and impair your ability to focus.

The solution? You need to focus on getting the most out of your study time. Set aside a specific amount of time each day for studying and turn off all distractions, such as your phone and television.

Focusing on one task is also more efficient. It is far better to focus on one thing for 30 minutes than try to do something while multitasking for an hour.

The one exception to this rule is listening to music. Listening to music can help you focus, but you should avoid listening to music with lyrics. Stick to instrumental music like classical, jazz, or deep house music.

3. Poor Note Taking 

One of the most common misconceptions high school students have is that studying starts when you get home. Studying starts in the classroom. In fact, using your class time well is one of the best ways to save time and learn more efficiently.

You have to be in class. You can’t watch tv, hang out with friends, or play sports, so you might as well take advantage of that time to spend as little time outside of class studying.

An essential skill to master for in-class studying is note-taking. Poor notes can be a bad study habit that sets you up for failure. Taking poor notes prevents you from studying effectively at home and makes it challenging to learn the material.

To ensure you take good notes, write down key concepts, keep your notes organized, and summarize the main points from each lesson. It can also be helpful to write down questions in the margins. There are many different methods for taking good notes; find one that works for you and stick with it.

bad study habits include pulling all nighters

4. Pulling All-Nighters: A Popular Bad Study Habit

Of all the bad study habits, pulling all-nighters is probably the very worst. It is an ineffective way to study, but studies have shown that you will probably do worse on your test the following day.

The appeal of pulling all-nighters is similar to cramming. You are putting a lot of effort into your studying, which gives you a false sense of confidence and is incredibly inefficient.

The solution is to plan ahead and never wait until the last minute. Ensure you are studying in advance, breaking up your work into manageable chunks.

It is also essential to make sure you get enough rest. Studies have shown that sleep can be just as crucial for learning as studying. Sleep enough and plan your studying a week in advance to get the most out of your studies.

5. Studying without a Plan 

Another bad habit I see many students make is studying without a plan. Many students feel so busy that they sit down and immediately get to work without coming up with a plan. This approach gives the illusion of efficacy, but you will often be pulled in several directions and won’t spend the necessary time on any specific topic.

While this approach may seem like it saves you time, spend 10-15 minutes planning your week and identifying what will help you study more efficiently.

A great way to break this bad study habit is to establish a daily schedule and create deadlines for yourself. Set specific goals to complete and start with the biggest, most important tasks first.

It can also be helpful to plan how you will break down each subject and ensure you have enough time for studying.

not taking breaks is a bad study habit

6. Not Taking Breaks 

Not taking breaks is another bad study habit that many students fall into. Students often avoid taking a break because they don’t feel they have enough time to complete their work. On the surface, it seems to make the most sense to study until you finish something. Like many bad study habits on this list, the most common approach is ineffective.

Your brain peaks in efficiency after working on something for about 20 minutes. Your brain stays in this state for about another 25 minutes. After 45 minutes of working on something, your effectiveness crashes, and you must take a break.

When your brain enters this state of fatigue, getting up and moving around, getting some fresh air, or doing something unrelated to studying is essential. Make sure you don’t stay in the same spot for too long, and try to balance socializing with studying.

By taking breaks, you’ll be able to focus more effectively when you sit down and study. An excellent way to break this habit is to set a timer for 45 minutes. When the timer rings, take a five-minute break and return to work.

7. Passive Studying: One of the Hidden Bad Study Habits

Passive studying is something that few people talk about, but it is a widespread reason why many students can put hours into studying but still do poorly on tests.

Passive studying is when you read something or review your notes without engaging in the material. This bad study habit often happens because students are so focused on speed-reading or rapid note-taking. Passive studying can also lead to bad note-taking habits.

The solution is to practice active studying. When you review your notes or a textbook, ensure you engage with the material. Ask yourself questions, draw connections between topics, and practice writing summaries to test your understanding.

An excellent way to avoid passive studying is to think about what you don’t know. Spend time thinking about what confuses you and what you are uncertain about. It would be best to focus on these topics rather than the ones you are most confident in. Spending more time on your weak areas is more efficient and can save you time while boosting your performance.

getting organized is a great way to improve academic performance

8. Being Disorganized

Being unorganized is not only a bad study habit but can affect other aspects of your life. Being disorganized makes studying more complicated and can cause stress and anxiety. If you are unorganized, you will be surprised by how much time you spend looking for papers or doing missing assignments.

To avoid this bad study habit, you must take the time to organize your space and figure out what works best for you. Start by organizing your notes, textbooks, and other materials. Once these are organized, creating an efficient filing system to store the material is essential.

If you use digital materials and online resources, create folders for each class or subject to store the material and access it quickly when needed. Use digital calendar systems or a planner to create reminders for yourself and ensure you are on track with your work.

Spending time to ensure your papers and study materials are in order will pay huge dividends in the long run.

9. Not Asking for Help: One of the Hidden Bad Study Habits

There is a common misconception that good students don’t need help and don’t need to ask questions. This bad study habit is incredibly harmful and can prevent you from understanding the material fully or even getting a bad grade on an assignment or test.

It is essential to ask for help, especially when stuck on a problem or concept. Don’t hesitate to contact your teacher or professor and ask for help, or even contact a peer interested in the material.

A good way to break this bad study habit is to create a support network. Find friends or classmates interested in the material who can help you when needed. Having someone to turn to in times of need is invaluable and can help you better understand the material.

Additionally, if you don’t feel comfortable asking the teacher a question in front of the class, write down your question and ask them at the end of class. It’s better to ask questions and get your doubts cleared than to spend hours figuring out the answer.

10. Always Studying Alone Is A Bad habit 

Far too many students only study alone. This bad study habit can become problematic because it pressures you to understand everything. Plus, when you study independently, you are only coming at the information from one perspective, which is limiting.

Studying with other people can be incredibly beneficial. While there are advantages to studying alone, such as being able to focus more intently on the task at hand, it is essential to take advantage of the various perspectives other people can bring. Additionally, studies have shown that one of the best ways to retain information is to teach it to someone else.

It’s a good idea to form study groups with friends or classmates, allowing you to discuss topics, ask questions and help each other understand the material better. It’s also an excellent way to stay motivated and review the material meaningfully.

Take the Next Step and Break Your Bad Study Habits

It’s vital to recognize bad study habits and the consequences they can have. Understanding why bad study habits are ineffective and what better alternatives exist is essential.

The name of the game is studying smarter, not harder. Don’t fall into the trap of waiting until the last minute to study or wasting time in class. If you use your class time effectively and plan, you can study less and get better results.

If you want some help implementing these steps, let’s chat. I’m an academic coach and I’ve helped hundreds of teenagers break their bad study habits .

You can schedule a FREE evaluation call, and we can review your study habits and identify ways to help you maximize your time and get better results. Let’s make bad study habits a thing of the past!

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

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10 Traits of A Good Student

The ten traits of a good student

A student is so much more than their grades. In fact, I believe that grades are one of the least valuable metrics to use when defining the traits of a good student.  

If you spend too much time focusing on grades, it can be easy to ignore the traits of a good student. I know many Straight A students who didn’t have these traits and struggled in college. I was one of them.

Grades are not the end goal. School’s objective should be developing the right mindset and learning the skills to help you succeed. Plus, putting grades on a pedestal can increase the stress you feel from school.

What matters most is the traits you possess and how you use those traits to your advantage. It’s these traits that can help you find success in college, professionally, and throughout life. 

This list includes 10 traits of a good student. You can stack these skills and use them in college and your career. They are the foundation on which you can build your success; these skills will last you a lifetime. 

10 Traits of a Good Student

This list of traits is not in any specific order, and each will contribute to your long-term success.

1. A Good Student is Growth Oriented: 

A good student is always looking to improve and grow. They don’t just accept what they know but strive to learn more. They understand learning is a lifelong journey and are up for the challenge.

Good students view mistakes as part of the learning process and use them as an opportunity to learn instead of indicating failure. They take criticism positively and use it to their advantage.

Learning to be growth-oriented is a crucial mindset shift. You can embrace this trait of a good student by changing your perfection about mistakes and focusing on what you can learn from them instead of punishing yourself.

organization is one of the most important traits of a good student

2. Organization is an one of the most important Traits: 

Good students have an organized and systematic approach to learning. They use note-taking, planners, calendars, or any other system that helps them stay on track.

They plan accordingly, break tasks into manageable chunks, and are always prepared. Their organization helps them stay on top of their academics and prevents them from falling behind, even when the unexpected happens.

Organization is one of the most straightforward traits to improve. You can start by creating a habit of writing things down, making a calendar to track tasks and deadlines, or using an app to help you stay organized. The most important aspect is picking a system of organization and sticking with it. 

3. Courageous: 

Courage is a trait that many people don’t associate with good students, but I believe it is one of the most important on this list. Good students are not afraid to ask questions, even if they think people will judge them.

They take risks and pursue their interests despite any obstacles they may face. Most of all, they are unafraid to fail and learn from their mistakes.

Many students with good grades lack courage, preventing them from maximizing their potential. You can develop this skill by stepping outside your comfort zone and seeking challenging activities and classes.

4. Consistent: 

What separates an average student from a great student is consistency. Consistency helps keep you focused on your goals and keeps you ahead of the curve.

Good students understand that success is a marathon and not a sprint. They practice good habits daily, set aside time every day to work on their school work, and take the time to care for themselves mentally and physically.

One of the best ways to stay consistent is to meditate and build a routine. Simple activities like waking up at the same time every day, writing in a journal, and eating healthy can help you stay consistent and focused.

Being goal oriented is one of the key traits of a good student

5. Goal Oriented:

Many students claim they are goal-oriented because they want to get Straight As. However, this goal is controlled by their teachers and often encouraged by their parents. Good students set their own goals based on their behavior.

For example, a good student aims to study every night for a test instead of aiming for a specific grade. This type of goal setting allows them to control their destiny and set achievable goals to measure progress.

If setting goals is new, focusing on behaviors instead of outcomes is essential. You can’t directly control your grade on a test; you can control how often and how long you study. Focusing on behaviors will set you up for success.

6. A Good Student Advocates for Themselves:

Unfortunately, many students think that good students always know the answer and don’t ever need help. As a result, many students don’t want to ask questions or seek assistance because of fear of judgment.

Good students, however, are unafraid to ask for help and speak up for themselves when necessary. They recognize their limitations and know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

You can build this trait by becoming confident in your voice. Practicing speaking up in class or expressing yourself through writing can help you build this skill.

Good students are responsibile

7. Responsible: 

Another essential trait of a good student is being responsible. Responsible students understand their obligations and complete tasks promptly.

They are reliable, and others can count on them to do what they say they will do. Being responsible isn’t just about remembering to turn in assignments on time. It also involves being mindful of the consequences of your actions.

Great students take responsibility for their mistakes and learn from them. You can develop this trait by taking ownership of your tasks and speaking up when you make a mistake.

8. Honesty is an Important Trait: 

Honesty is the most crucial trait of a good student, and it not only applies to academic integrity but also to being truthful in relationships with your peers and teachers.

This trait is important because it helps build relationships with other people. If your teacher and peers trust you, they are far more likely to help you in a time of need.

Good students understand that honesty is essential for trust and respect. They don’t lie to impress people and take responsibility for their mistakes.

You can build this trait by speaking up when something isn’t right and being open to constructive criticism. Honesty is always the best policy.

9. Intrinsically Motivated: 

Good students don’t need external motivation to stay on track. They are motivated by their own goals and dreams and display a positive work ethic.

Intrinsic motivation means that you are motivated by the process of learning and improving, not grades or rewards. Intrinsically motivated students want to learn, grow, and use mistakes as learning opportunities.

Unfortunately, intrinsic motivation is one of the most complicated traits to learn because of the pressure put on many students by their teachers and parents. Identifying what motivates you when other people push you is hard.

The best way to develop this trait is to take the time to think about what you want, what you want to accomplish, and, most importantly, what success looks like to you. Your ideas may not align with what other people think, but that is ok.

10. A good Student is Focused:

The final trait of a good student is focus. Focus is vital for students because it helps them stay on task and avoid distractions.

Good students can manage their time and prioritize what needs their responsibilities. They also have strong concentration skills that help them focus on the task until it is complete, and they know how to do the things that can distract them from accomplishing their goals.

You can build this trait by learning to manage your time, setting realistic goals, and breaking them down into smaller tasks. Creating your study space and removing distractions like your phone can also help. Thinking about your goals and why you want to accomplish them is another method to stay focused.

Developing Traits of A Good Student

All of the traits on this list are far more important than grades. If you can develop these traits of a good student, your grades will improve, you will have more free time, and your future career will be much brighter.

Let’s chat, if you are looking to build these traits. I’m an academic coach, and I have helped hundreds of students reach their potential by developing these traits in a welcoming and accepting environment.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

unpleasant black girl sitting at table between parents

Consequences For Not Doing Homework

Consequences for not doing homework should be avoided

Teenagers don’t like homework, and can you blame them? Just like you don’t like working after hours on your job, your teen doesn’t like to work all day at school and then come home and do more. 

However, like it or not, homework is something that your child has to do. 

Unfortunately, you can’t force your teen to do homework. If you try to, a power struggle is likely to ensue. If you know anything about teenagers, it’s that they want to be independent and do things their way. 

So what’s a parent to do? 

Many parents consider the consequences for not doing homework, and reasonably so. You want your child to put their best foot forward and maximize their potential in the classroom. 

However, it is important to remember that it is your teenager’s responsibility to do their homework, not yours. 

What Causes Parents To Give Consequences For Not Doing Homework

Many parents operate in a state of fear. Fear that a lousy test will lead to a bad grade means their child will drop out of high school, won’t get a job, and will still live at home when they are 30. The connection between these events may be dubious, but many parents still fall victim to this thinking. 

As a result, parents fall into a trap. I call it the illusion of a win, which is very tempting. When your teenager isn’t doing your homework, you get on their case and won’t let them leave the house until they turn it in. Or if they have missing assignments, you ground them until they get caught up. 

Getting your child to turn in their homework might make you feel like you are teaching them a valuable lesson, but what are they learning?

Let students experience natural consequences for not doing hoemwork

Your teen is learning they are incapable and need someone else to help them with their responsibilities. They realize they can’t do their homework without your oversight and help. They are learning to be dependent on you. 

The fear of their teenager’s failure often leads parents to embark on a path that makes the worst-case scenario more likely. A teen dependent on their parents is far more likely to live at home at 30 than a strong and independent one. 

Instead of considering punishment for not doing schoolwork, a better approach is to let them experience the natural consequences. Their teachers will give them bad grades, and they might get in trouble. 

After they experience the natural consequences of missing that assignment, they can learn from the experience and, more importantly, recognize that they are responsible for their school work and that there is no power struggle.

Without a power struggle, teens are likelier to take responsibility for their work and own their responsibilities.

Instead of focusing on what they are doing (homework), spend more time showing them HOW to do it. Here are some tips to avoid getting consequences for not doing homework. 

1. Establish a Routine To Avoid Consequences for Not Doing Homework

A routine will set you free. 

One of the best skills you can teach your teenager is a routine. Carving out specific time for them each day dedicated to homework is a great way to empower your teen to take care of their responsibilities. 

Make sure that the routine works for both of you. Set specific times and places to do homework, such as after school in their bedroom or dining table.

Creating a routine will give your teen the structure they need to act independently while still getting the support they need.

Give your teen space instead of conseqeunces for not doing homework

2. Give them space When Doing Homework

It may be tempting to hover over your teen’s shoulder while doing homework and ensure they do each problem correctly. However, this does not teach them independence. In fact, they may learn to depend on you to get their homework done. 

Your job is to be there when they need help or guidance, not to take over their homework. Instead, give them space and let them learn how to navigate their assignments.

You might be surprised your child is willing to ask for your help when you give them space to try independently.

3. Teach them Organizational and Time Management Skills To Avoid Consequences

One of the best ways to help your teen get their homework done and avoid consequences for not doing homework is to teach them the skills they need to do their homework instead of focusing on the assignment itself.

Organizational and time management skills are crucial for completing schoolwork and staying on top of assignments. Teaching your teen how to manage their time will help them become more independent and responsible.

Show your teenager how to organize their backpack, use folders, and take notes. But leave it up to your teen to use these skills when completing homework. 

Additionally, you can show your child how to estimate how long it will take to complete their homework. Estimating how long it will take will help your teen learn how to manage time and prioritize tasks to get their work done promptly.

Praise is better than punishment for not doing schoolwork

4. Give behavior-based praise Instead of Consequences for Not Doing Homework

Many parents make the mistake of praising the outcome rather than the effort. Studies have shown that this is counterproductive and can make students less likely to do the work in the future. 

Instead of praising your child for their score on a test or homework, praise the effort they are putting in. If you see your child hard at work, praise them for it. Tell them you are proud of their dedication if they stay late to finish an assignment. 

Behavior-based praise will help your teen develop a healthy work ethic and make them more motivated.

5. Model the behavior you want to see 

They may not act like it, but you are your teenager’s number one role model. They closely watch you to see how you do your work and responsibilities.

If you want them to take their school work seriously, ensure you show this behavior through your actions. Show that you take the time to do all your tasks thoroughly and with dedication, which will help encourage your child to do the same. 

You can also show them how to organize your work materials or use math daily. Seeing how you apply the same skills and content they are learning in school will demonstrate to your child that education is essential and that they should take it seriously. 

An academic coach can help you prevent consequences for not doing homework

6. Work With an Academic Coach Instead of using Punishment For Not Doing Homework

Getting your teenager the correct type of academic support is a great way to avoid getting consequences for not doing homework.

An academic coach can help your teen develop the essential skills to complete their work independently. An academic coach can also provide support and guidance, so your teen does not feel overwhelmed.

Additionally, the presence of an academic coach can make it much easier for you to take a step back because a coach can keep you in the loop and let you know what steps are being taken. This type of communication can alleviate the pressure you might feel to jump in and intercede.

If you think this type of support would benefit you and your teenager, let’s talk. I’ve helped hundreds of students handle their homework independently and build the skills they need for long-term success. Your teen could be next.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


Secret School Tips For Parents 
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
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School Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure
Schools don't care about students and are setting your child up for …
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Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

person in white shirt with brown wooden frame

Low Grades in High School: 7 Ways to Bounce back

7 Ways to bounce back from low grades in high school

High school is a huge step up for students in terms of rigor and academic expectations. No matter how well prepared a student is, they will likely experience low grades in high school sometime during their academic career.

Getting low grades in high school can be disheartening and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to define your teenager’s future. Getting a few low grades can serve as an excellent learning experience for high school students and allow them to develop organizational and study skills and the proper mindset needed to succeed in high school and the future.

To help your teenager make the most of this learning opportunity and bounce back as quickly as possible, I’ve outlined several key strategies that you can help your teenager implement. I’ve chosen methods based on my experience as an academic coach and a classroom teacher. These strategies can immediately improve your teen’s grades, but consistency is the key to long-term success.

1. Get Organized To Overcome Low Grades in High School 

The first step to bouncing back from low grades is getting organized. Help your teenager create a system for tracking upcoming assignments, due dates, test dates, and topics to be covered. Organization can help them stay on top of their work, prevent last-minute cramming, and ensure they’re always prepared for assessments.

A great place to start is their backpack. Make sure it’s free of clutter and that they have a designated space for important documents, which can also help prevent assignments from being lost or forgotten.

Their digital workspace should also be organized. Students rely increasingly on Google Drive for classroom resources; an unorganized Google Drive is an easy way to lose assignments or valuable study resources. 

a routine is a great way to overcome low grades in high school

2. Develop A Routine To Improve Low Grades

Creating a consistent routine for studying and completing homework is crucial to improving grades. Encourage your teenager to develop a schedule that works for them, including studying for a few hours each day or setting aside one weekly session to catch up on missed assignments or practice tests.

In addition to setting time to study homework time, it is also a wise idea to schedule weekly reflection. Reflecting once a week on what went well and what could go better in the future is a great way to encourage your teen to focus on the positives while still acknowledging and focusing on growth areas. Setting aside time for just reflecting on the material can also be beneficial.

3. Encourage Them To Ask Questions At School

Students should not be afraid to ask questions when they are uncertain about the material. Many times low grades can be attributed to a lack of understanding. However, many teenagers see asking questions as a sign of weakness or don’t want to look stupid in front of their friends.

If your teenager is uncomfortable asking questions in front of the class, encourage them to take advantage of their teacher’s office hours or send emails. During office hours, your teenager can talk to their teachers one-on-one and get a better understanding of the material.

It is also helpful to model this behavior for your teenager to demonstrate that it is OK to ask questions in class. You can do this by asking them questions, asking for help at the store, or talking to your teenager’s teacher.

a man reading indoor

4. Be Strategic about Studying

Encourage teenagers to be strategic about their studies rather than just “cramming” for assessments. Cramming is an effective way of studying and does not produce meaningful results.

Instead of cramming, encourage your teenager to break study for short periods, multiple days a week. Studying for shorter periods is less daunting and more effective than cramming.

Finding study groups is also a great way to study strategically. Studying with other students is a great way to outsource the accountability to their peers and allow your teen to learn from their age mates in a less threatening environment.

The final piece of the puzzle is getting your teen to focus on what they don’t know rather than what they do know. Many teenagers tend to focus their studying on the topics they are confident with. Unfortunately, this can cause them to miss other topics. Encourage your teen to focus on the areas that need work and revisit familiar material as required. While this concept may sound apparent, many teenagers that I have worked with did not learn to study this way.

5. Create a Plan for Catching up on Missing Assignments 

Missing assignments are among the biggest causes of low grades in high school. Zeros will dramatically decrease your grade, even if your teen’s performance on more recent assignments improves.

The first step in catching up on missing assignments is to talk with the teacher. Teachers can be incredibly accommodating if they know that your child is trying to get caught up, and they may extend due dates and mark some assignments as excused.

The next step is to develop a schedule for catching up on missing assignments. This schedule should outline what missing assignments your teen is working on each week and when they will spend time catching up.

Goals are a great way to overcome low grades in high school

6. Set Achievable, Behavior Based Goals

Throughout this entire process, setting goals is essential. Not only so your teen can know where they are going but also so you can celebrate them when they achieve their goals.

Many people make mistakes when they set goals and focus on outcomes. Outcomes like a certain GPA or a grade on a specific test are hard to control. It is far better to set behavior-based goals. Some examples of reasonable behavior-based goals include studying for 30 minutes each day, going to office hours once per week, and turning in homework assignments the day they are assigned.

These goals should be achievable, measurable, and timely so your teenager can track their progress. The goals should focus on an action or behavior rather than an outcome.

Finally, letting your teen set these goals is best, rather than assigning them. Allowing your teen to select their goals will empower them and increase their ownership over their academics. Don’t forget to celebrate your teen’s accomplishments when they reach their stated goals.

7. Get Academic Support To Overcome Low Grades in High School

If your teenager is still struggling, it may be beneficial to look into academic support. Consider talking to their school counselor about outside tutors or mentors that could help your teenager better understand their material and improve their grades.

One of the best types of academic support is an academic coach. Coaches are different than tutors because they provide more comprehensive support, helping students prioritize tasks and establish study habits that will help them stay on top of their work.

A coach can help your teen develop the system and the habits they need to become successful. The holistic approach of an academic coach is a great way to help your teen build a solid foundation to sustain their academic growth well into the future.

Let’s chat if this type of academic support sounds like a good fit for your teen. I’m an experienced academic coach that has helped hundreds of students achieve straight As and no missing assignments in less than 90 days without strict parental oversight and hours of after-school turning with my Self-motivated Academic system.

Your teen can put low grades in high school in their rearview mirror and become my next success story.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


Secret School Tips For Parents 
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
Online Success Coach: Unlocking Your Teen’s Potential
As a parent, you want your teen to succeed academically and in …
School Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure
Schools don't care about students and are setting your child up for …
10 Bad Study Habits You Need to Break Immediately
In my experience as a classroom teacher and an academic coach, one …

Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

7 Secrets to Motivating Teenagers

Seven secrets to motivating teenagers

Motivating teenagers can be incredibly difficult. Their emotions can run in highs and lows, and they can be highly engaged with topics they are interested in and then check out the next minute.

Many parents use punishment and negative reinforcement when teenagers struggle to stay academically motivated.

I’m here to tell you that this approach is not only ineffective, but it can even have the opposite effect. Fortunately, there are other ways to motivate your teenager that don’t involve punishment and can help create a more positive and encouraging environment.

As an academic coach and a classroom teacher, I discovered the secret to motivating teenagers. Please keep reading to learn about the seven secrets I’ve uncovered to motivate teenagers and help them build a positive work ethic.

1. Accept Mistakes When Motivating Teenagers

One of the biggest reasons many teens feel unmotivated is the emphasis that adults put on what they do wrong. Many parents are hyper-focused on the mistakes their teens make. Instead of encouraging their teens to learn from their mistakes, this approach causes them to check out and feel like everything they do is wrong.

When motivating teenagers, it is crucial to focus on the positive. Acknowledge their hard work and successes, even if they are small. When teens make mistakes, it’s important to point out what they did well and use it as an opportunity for growth.

Accept mistakes as part of their learning process. This acceptance will help your teenager to keep trying, not be discouraged by failure, and stay motivated.

2. Give Teenagers Independence to Motivate Them

Giving a teenager when they lack motivation may seem counterproductive. However, it is vital to recognize the importance of independence and autonomy for motivating teenagers.

Teenagers are at a stage developmentally where they are ready to take on new responsibilities, make their place in the world, and become more independent.

By giving them independence and allowing them to make their own decisions, you motivate them by showing that you trust them. This trust will help them to be more confident and willing to try new things.

Independence also gives teenagers a sense of agency and control over their lives, empowering them to work hard. Without this sense of empowerment, many teenagers will check out because they don’t feel a sense of ownership over their actions.

3. Speak their Language When Motivating Teenagers

When trying to motivate a teenager, it may be tempting to fall back on statements like:

  • You will need this when you are older!
  • College is essential and will help you get a better job.
  • Do you want to work an entry-level job your entire life?

While statements like this may make perfect sense for your adult brain, they won’t motivate teenagers. In fact, they may even alienate your teenager and make them less likely to work hard.

Instead of what makes sense to you, focus on what they care about. Listen to your teenager and make sure you are speaking their language. Find out what motivates them and use that to encourage them to work hard and stay motivated.

For example, if they struggle to finish their homework, let them know they can spend more time with their friends if their grades are good. If they are behind in math, explain that it will help them understand the world around them and show them some real-world examples.

Speaking to your teenager on their terms will make them more likely to stay engaged in what you’re saying and be more motivated to work hard.

A reward system is a great method for motivating teenagers

4. Create a Reward System 

We are all motivated by rewards. 99% of adults would not go to work if they were not paid. For some reason, teenagers are expected to be different. Their only reward for academic performance is grades, which have very little social or economic value.

Instead of expecting teenagers to be motivated because they need good grades to get into college or a good job, you can create a reward system for the behaviors you want to see. Whether completing their homework on time, studying for a test or getting good grades – create a reward system for each.

This reward system can be anything from earning points that can be exchanged for something they want or a simple “good job” from the parent. It is vital to make sure the reward is motivating and achievable.

Creating a reward system motivates your teenager to take charge and take responsibility for their success and will empower them to stay motivated and work hard.

5. Use Praise When Motivating Teenagers

We live in an overwhelming negative world. The focus is almost always on the mistakes that people make.

A great example is school grades. You can only make one or two mistakes on a test to get an A. Teenagers learn to avoid mistakes at all costs, which is a negative perspective to take on the world.

When motivating teenagers, it is crucial to stay positive. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on their progress. Acknowledge their hard work and praise them for it.

Motivating teenagers through praise and positive reinforcement creates a safe space where they can thrive and grow. They will be more willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes, motivating them to work hard and develop a positive work ethic.

Asking questions is the key to motivating teenagers

6. Ask Questions 

One of the best secrets to motivating teenagers is to ask them questions and avoid telling them what to do. Instead of lecturing or instructing them on a task, ask them how they think they should proceed first.

By asking questions, you create an environment where the teenager feels free to think and explore new ideas. Asking them for their solution also implies trust and belief in their ability to solve the problem.

Asking questions is a great way to motivate teenagers because it helps them take ownership of their work. It makes them feel like they are in control and can make decisions for themselves.

7. Get Guilt-Free Academic Support 

The final secret to motivating teenagers is providing them with guilt-free academic support. Most academic support comes in the form of tutors who cover specific topics and subjects. Many families only hire tutors after their teenager has done poorly on a test or is underperforming overall.

Hiring a tutor in response to poor performance creates a negative learning environment and implies the student is doing something wrong. Instead of waiting for the teenager to fail, look for opportunities to provide them with academic support that isn’t attached to academic performance.

Working with an academic coach is an excellent way of accomplishing this. An academic coach can support and guide your teenager, motivating them to work hard and stay focused on their studies.

Instead of focusing on a specific subject, an academic coach focuses on the holistic growth of a teenager and prioritizes their long-term growth over short-term academic performance.

If you think working with an academic coach is the proper support for your teenager, let’s chat.

I’m an experienced academic coach specializing in motivating teenagers and helping them reach their academic potential.

I’m passionate about motivating teenagers and helping them reach their academic potential. Let’s chat today and make a plan to help your teenager stay motivated and achieve their educational goals.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

woman leaning on table

Positive Work Ethic: The Real Reason Why Teens Lack It

The real reason why students lack a positive work ethic

A positive work ethic is one of the skills that is needed to succeed in both school and life. Yet so many teenagers don’t have it. 

Parents with teenagers who lack a positive worth ethic are rightfully concerned. Unfortunately, many parents miss the boat entirely when it comes to identifying why their teen lacks motivation and a go-getter attitude. 

It can be incredibly disheartening to see your teen get overwhelmed and shut down or procrastinate and try to finish everything at the last minute. It can be even more frustrating when you know your teen doesn’t know how to approach a problem, but they reject your ideas and suggestions.

Over time, this dynamic, paired with the consequences of poor academic performance, can lead to parents micromanaging, nagging, and constantly reminding their teens to get “back on track.” 

The Illusion of Sucess

This approach gives parents the “illusion of a win.” A teenager may turn in an assignment, complete a task, or study for a test, but in reality, the parent has done much of the work, and the teenager is not learning the skills they need to succeed in the long run. Nagging and reminding give you short-term gains but set the stage for long-term failure and a lack of positive work ethic. 

I understand that time is pressing, and each day, your teenager is getting one step closer to leaving the house. However, this approach fails to develop a positive work ethic in teenagers and can also be a source of conflict between parents and their children.

The conflict between developing a positive work ethic and the appeal of short-term wins begs the question, what is the end goal? 

Is it to get an A on the homework assignment today? 

Or 

Is it to raise a well-adjusted adult with a positive work ethic that can take care of their academic and professional responsibilities?

If your goal is the latter, keep reading to learn how to create an environment that will encourage your child to develop a positive work ethic and maximize their potential. 

young girl lying on bed holding a cellphone

Independence and Developing a Positive Work Ethic 

Teenagers are developmentally at a stage where they want to express and demonstrate independence. However, this conflicts with the reality that they lack many skills to handle their responsibilities independently. 

This circumstance puts parents in a challenging situation. Do you give your teen independence and risk the mistakes and failures that will occur? Or do you support them and help them avoid their mistakes? 

In my experience, many parents fall into the trap that the latter option presents. 

The overbearing support that some parents provide can lead to various consequences. Your teen may feel the following:

  • An inability to make choices for themselves 
  • There isn’t a point in trying because no matter what they do, it isn’t right 
  • A lack of confidence in their own decisions 
  • Apathy and a lack of ownership over school and their other responsibilities

These feelings can lead to a lack of work ethic and poor academic performance. It also contributes to teenagers’ focus on “unimportant” things like video games. They feel they have control in these areas and can express their independence. No one critiques them when they make mistakes, and they can make decisions and live with the consequences. 

Teens want to live with the consequences of their actions. They want to feel like they have agency and control over their life. If you want to help your teenager build a positive work ethic, there are a couple of critical steps you can take. 

Give Teens Agency To Build A Positive Work Ethic

The first thing you can do for your teen is to allow them to make their own decisions and, more importantly, live with the consequences. Let your teenager take charge of their school work, enabling them to take in the positive and negative feedback they receive.

Give your teenager the independence to decide when, how, and what to study. Most importantly, allow them to make mistakes. Even if you see your teenager doing something you don’t think is the right decision, let them take ownership of their choices and learn from the consequences. 

Now, this is not to say that you should wash your hands completely of the matter. It is vital to give your teen independence and boundaries, and expectations. Let them know what you expect of them but let them figure out how to get there. 

If your teenager fails to meet those expectations, establish consequences, but don’t try to save them from the mistake, and don’t take away their independence.

mistakes are a part of building a strong work ethic

Be Prepared for them to Make Mistakes When Developing a Positive Work Ethic

Take a minute to think back to when you were a teenager. What was your relationship with your parents like? 

Did you do everything they told you to do? 

What were some of the mistakes that you made? 

Was everything your parents said correct? 

Your teenager is going through a similar experience with you right now. Even if you provide them with positive guidance, they will make mistakes. They need to make these mistakes and learn from them to become a responsible adult.

Be there for your teenager, but be prepared to let them make their own mistakes. When they stumble and fall, be the one they can come to for support.

Allow your teenager to make decisions, even if they result in mistakes. Once they start making mistakes and learning from them, they will develop a positive work ethic.

Give Encouragement 

Although you are giving them independence, teenagers still crave parental approval. When you see them exhibiting a positive worth ethic – praise them! When they make positive decisions, encourage them. Let them know you appreciate their positive work ethic so that it becomes a habit for them. 

It is also important to remember that positive reinforcement works better than negative reinforcement in creating positive habits. Instead of punishing your teen for not meeting expectations, reward them for positive behavior and work ethic. 

Emphasizing the positive rather than the negative will help them identify the behaviors they need to return to continuously. 

Asking questions helps teens build a positive work ethic

Ask Questions 

Reflection is one of the most critical skills that lead to a positive work ethic—learning to think back and evaluate what went well and what didn’t allow us to learn from our mistakes and understand our strengths. Reflection gives you a sense of agency and control over your life which is essential for building a positive work ethic.

Unfortunately, many teenagers do not learn how to reflect because the school system focuses on rote memorization and external evaluation rather than self-reflection. You can help your teenager learn from their mistakes by asking questions. 

Some questions you can ask are:

  • What did you learn from this situation?
  • What do you think you did well?
  • Would you like some advice?
  • What would you do differently in the future?

Open-ended questions that focus on their option will give your teenager a sense of empowerment and ownership over their lives and decisions, which will lead to a positive work ethic.

It is important to note while asking these questions, don’t fish for a specific answer. It can be tempting to want your son or daughter to come to a specific conclusion, but your teen will sniff this out immediately. Instead, ask broad questions and let them think and come to conclusions. 

Keep the End Goal in Mind 

It can be easy to get caught up daily or week-to-week. This focus on the short run can lead to the “illusion of a win” that I referenced earlier in the article. Instead, focus on the big picture and remember the end of your teen’s journey is not an A on a test or even an A at the end of the year. 

The end goal is to provide your teenager with the skills they need to succeed and thrive in the future. A positive work ethic is one of these skills and one of the most important.

Each day, your teen has the opportunity to build the skills they will need to leave the house and successfully take on the world. 

Keeping this end goal in mind can make it easier to accept the mistakes that they make along the way. 

working with an academic coach is a great way to build positive work ethic

Give them Academic Support 

Helping your teenager develop a positive work ethic can be a tall task, especially when you don’t have the same academic expertise that teachers and tutors possess. However, there are still ways for you to provide academic support to your teenager.

Working with an academic coach is a great way to give your teenager the support they need to develop a positive work ethic. An academic coach can provide personalized support and help your teen develop positive study habits.

An academic coach can provide the consistent feedback, support, and accountability your teen needs to learn from their mistakes. Meanwhile, you will have the peace of mind that your teenager isn’t on this journey alone.

Hiring an academic coach can allow you to focus on the fun aspects of being a parent without worrying about your teenager’s academic performance.

If you think an academic coach is the support your family needs, let’s talk. I’ve helped hundreds of teenagers develop a positive work ethic while allowing their parents to take a step back and enjoy positive relationships with their sons or daughters.

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an academic coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


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Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here

exhausted woman with head on keyboard

Failing School Because of Laziness? Three Solutions

There are solutions for teens who are failing school because of laziness

If your teenager struggles in school, it can be easy to think they are failing school because of laziness. You may even wonder if your teenager cares about their long-term success and have serious concerns about how their lack of success impacts your family.

These are all reasonable perspectives and concerns, and you are doing your due diligence as a parent to try and find solutions. I’ve provided solutions to the three root causes of your teen’s laziness.

But first, I want to tell you a story about my experience with laziness and how I escaped it. 

I was the Valedictorian of my graduating high school class, and I had never known anything but success until I got to college. During my first semester at Duke University, I hit a wall.

I didn’t know why I was there. I was completely unmotivated and lacked the foundational academic skills to succeed in college. By the end of my first year, I was in the bottom 5% of my class.

Needless to say, my parents were not pleased. They accused me of being lazy, they yelled, and we argued. The truth was that I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. 

I was able to right the ship and get back on track, and I was on the Dean’s list each semester during my last two years at Duke.

To be honest, my parents were little to no help. The way they approached my academic struggles was counterproductive.

I can understand and empathize with your concern as a parent. You want the best for your teenager, and you see their potential. 

Hope is not lost, and you can help your teen turn things around.

However, it may require a different approach that addresses the sources of your teenager’s laziness.

why is your teen failing school because of laziness?

Failing School Because of Laziness or Something Else?

Laziness is easy to blame for a teenager’s lack of academic success. You probably don’t see your teen working hard or doing their homework. They may even lie about doing their work or procrastinate until the last minute.

It can be frustrating as a parent to see this behavior and not know how to help. You may have even tried different tactics to get your teen to succeed, but nothing seems to work.

Have you considered why your teenager is being lazy? 

To get your teenager back on track, addressing the source of their laziness is an essential first step.

Teenagers want to be successful. The feeling of success is one of the best feelings in the world. In my experience as a classroom teacher and academic coach, I’ve identified three primary sources of laziness in teenagers:

  • Poor Foundational Academic Skills
  • Fear of Academic Failure
  • Poor Motivation

The good news is that these obstacles are correctable. The bad news is that schools do little to address them. Schools fall into what I call the “lesson plan problem.” Teachers are so focused on teaching specific lessons and the content for the end-of-year exam that little to no time is spent teaching students the soft skills they need to succeed in the classroom.

As a result, many students are lazy and don’t care much for school. 

If appropriately addressed, you can help your teen turn things around and help them “academic agency.” You can help them develop the skills they need to take control of their academics and be self-sufficient.

The Actual Reason Your Teenager is Failing School

There are three primary reasons a teenager may struggle in school: lack of academic skills, fear of academic failure, and low motivation. 

Lack of Academic Skills: A Common Cause of Laziness

Teenagers who lack foundational academic skills will struggle in one or many subjects. The lack of study, note-taking, organization, test-taking and other skills makes classroom engagement difficult.

The lack of these skills can cause things to spiral out of control, particularly in high school. Without these skills, it doesn’t matter how motivated a teenager is; they lack the skills needed to engage with the content.

Teenagers who lack these skills may appear lazy and uninterested in their work. In reality, they don’t know how to and cannot do so.

fear of failure can be the real reason your teen is failing school because of laziness

Fear of Failure Can Look like Failing School Because of Laziness

Fear of academic failure is another source of laziness in teenagers. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is a real problem for many teens. The fear of failing is so great that it leads to a feeling of powerlessness and apathy.

Failure may seem inevitable, so some teenagers don’t try in the first place. Other teens fear failure so much that laziness gives them an escape. If they are lazy, there is a reason why they fail, and this is easier to handle than trying hard and coming up short.

A Lack of Motivation Can Look Like Laziness

Teenagers who struggle with motivation have trouble sustaining focus and energy over long periods. The work may be interesting, but they can’t get themselves to do it.

A lack of motivation often results from not having a “why.” Many teenagers don’t know why they are going to school. They are expected to but don’t have a meaningful connection to it; without a “why,” teenagers will struggle to stay motivated in the classroom.

In my experience, most teenagers who appear lazy struggle with one or more of these sources.

Does your teen’s behavior match up with one of these three sources? It may be one or a combination of the three.

solutions to failing school because of laziness

Solutions to Failing School Because of Laziness

To help your teenager get back on track, addressing why they are lazy is the first step.

The goal is for your teenager to be self-sufficient and independently take care of their academics. 

These solutions are not short-term fixes. It will take time for your teenager to build up the skills, attitude, and perspective they need to succeed academically. However, these are long-term and lasting solutions that can help teenagers succeed academically and in life.

Stop Failing School by Building Academic Skills

I recommend starting by asking your teenager questions. Ask them what areas they struggle in and what types of assignments/projects they struggle with the most.

I highly recommend getting additional help from an academic coach. Academic coaches approach the needs of students holistically and can help your teenager develop a well-rounded plan to improve their academic skills.

You can also work with your teenager to build these skills. You can show them how you organize your day, take notes, stay organized, and study. You can check out my guide for more information on working with your teenager.

stop failing school because of laziness

Defeat Laziness by Overcoming The Fear of Academic Failure

In my experience, teenagers often develop this fear because of their parents’ anxieties and how they talk to them. It may also arise from their experiences in the classroom.

If this is your teenager’s obstacle, the objective is to get your teenager comfortable with the concept of failure and learn that mistakes are part of the learning process. 

To accomplish this, I encourage you to reflect on how you feel about your teenager’s success or lack thereof. Do you feel anxious and nervous? Are you stressed?

If the answer is yes, you will likely pass on these negative emotions to your teenager.

It would help if you also had an open and honest conversation with your teenager. Ask them how they feel about academics and how they think. You can also ask them if you are contributing to it.

To overcome a fear of failure, your teenager needs a lot of positive feedback and optimism. It would be best if you aimed for a ratio of 5:1 for positive to negative praise. Additionally, sharing your failures and how you have overcome them can help your teenager see failure as a part of life.

If your teenager’s fear of failure is deep-seated, you might consider working with a therapist.

Stop Failing School and Start Succeeding By Building Motivation

If your teenager is not motivated and lacks the drive to succeed in school, they must develop a “why.” A “why” will give them a reason to be at school and work on their homework.

The best way to do this is by talking to them about their future. Ask them what they want after high school and what job they want. Most importantly, ask them what they need to do to get there.

The act of asking questions can completely change your teenager’s perspective. Many teenagers will acknowledge that they want to work hard in school to achieve their goals. 

The difference lies in being asked vs. being told.

Help your teenager figure out what they are passionate about in school and how it can help them move towards the future they desire. Help them find out their “why” for being at school, and the motivation will take care of itself.

The right support can prevent failing school because of laziness

Get the Right Support to Help your Teenager Overcome Their Laziness and Stop Failing School

You can help your teenager overcome the root cause of their laziness and the challenges caused by the “lesson-plan problem.” Over time, this can help your teenager develop educational agency and take responsibility for their academic duties.

Unfortunately, this can be particularly challenging because teenagers are at a stage where they thirst for independence and autonomy. Working with them to overcome these hurdles can cause conflict and increase tensions in the home.

A great alternative is working with an academic coach. 

An academic coach can help you customize a plan for your teenager to help them overcome their laziness and the lesson-plan problem and develop agency.

A coach will also support you as a parent, guide you on how to have conversations with your teenager, and provide resources to support your teenager’s development.

An academic coach will also work with your teenager to build their academic skills, overcome their fear of failure, and find their intrinsic motivation while providing accountability.

As a third party, an academic coach can be a go-between and keep everyone in the loop while minimizing the amount of conflict between teenagers and parents.

Let’s talk if you want assistance helping your teen overcome their laziness. I have worked with hundreds of students and helped them build the skills and habits they need to succeed in school and life. 

Every student has specific needs and challenges; let’s talk about how we can help your teen overcome the source of their laziness and develop their academic agency – book your free discovery call here

About the Author: John Hyde

I am an educational coach specializing in teaching students academic fundamentals and a growth mindset. 

After graduating from Duke University in 2015, I taught at a public middle school from 2016 to 2019. Although I loved working with students in the classroom, the public education system was not teaching students the skills essential to academic success. 

I left the classroom in 2019 to start Academic Empowerment Academy. Since then, my coaching program has helped hundreds of students realize their academic potential by assisting them in building confidence and empowering them with the skills and mindset to meet their goals in school and life. 

If you’d like to discuss how I can help your teen be more motivated, foster good habits, and improve academic organization/performance, Book a Complimentary Discovery Call Here.


Secret School Tips For Parents 
As parents, you want your children to excel in school and achieve …
Online Success Coach: Unlocking Your Teen’s Potential
As a parent, you want your teen to succeed academically and in …
School Is Setting Your Child Up For Failure
Schools don't care about students and are setting your child up for …
10 Bad Study Habits You Need to Break Immediately
In my experience as a classroom teacher and an academic coach, one …

Author Spotlight

Hi I’m John, author of this blog, academic coach, and founder of AE Academy.

I help teens reach their academic potential by empowering them with academic fundamentals, a growth mindset, and critical thinking. 

If your teen is struggling to reach their academic potential, or isn’t learning the skills they need to succeed in school, we should connect.

It’s on me – Book Your Free Call Here