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Rudy Ruggles, Editor
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:00 |
Do you know young people who always try their best in school, without rewards or punishments dangling over them? These students have found a reason to work hard; they have achievement motivation. Doing well academically means different things to different people. It doesn't have to mean getting straight A's or being the valedictorian. It does mean doing their best work and caring about their performance, whether they're creating an art portfolio or writing an essay. There are plenty of reasons to work hard in school-getting good grades, making parents happy, or earning a spot on the honor roll. But the biggest incentive for young people to do their best-in school and out-comes from within: personal pride from knowing they gave it their all. Making an effort in school and other activities now, can give young people more reasons to feel proud later on. Achievement Motivation is Asset 21 of Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Research shows young people who try their best in school have better grades and are better at managing stress. They're also better at setting goals, are more likely to enroll in a challenging college and to excel once there. The survey of Ridgefield High School students disclosed that over 75 per cent of Freshmen indicated achievement motivation, but this figure fell steadily to 61 percent among Seniors. As parents, you can help build and maintain this asset. Also of note in the survey, a substantially higher proportion of females than males say they are motivated to do well in school.
What drives the young people you know to do their best? Whatever their reasons, remind them that when they try their best they can always feel good about the results, no matter what the grade.
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