A Study on Lack of Interest in Studies in Students
1. Bullying: Bullying
and teasing can affect a lot of kids, especially pre-teens, and can cause
anxiety and low self-esteem. They often lose concentration in their academics
since they are more concerned with staying away from the bullies. Some kids may
even choose to skip courses and school altogether.
2. The fear of
failure: Middle school and upper grade students are frequently tested to help
them get ready for class 10 or 12 board exams. Over time, such intensive
exam-based preparation instils a fear of failure, and many students begin to
lose interest in their studies altogether.
3. Poor instruction:
Lessons become static when "lectures" are used as the main form of
instruction in schools. The result is that kids, especially preteens and teens,
lose concentration and daydream while in class, failing to learn anything.
4. Emphasis on
studying rather than learning: Many institutions train students to pass tests
and receive grades but neglect to educate them how to use their knowledge in
practical settings. Students find studying tedious and repetitious when they
are unable to make this link.
5. A challenging
curriculum: Many schools have a rigorous curriculum that subjects kids to
frequent tests or demanding homework. Some kids struggle to keep up with the
growing demands of schoolwork and give up when faced with such strain.
6. Learning
challenges: Challenges with learning, such as dyslexia, can be a major obstacle
to school and learning. Numerous schools, teachers, and sometimes even parents
fail to detect the signs and begin referring to their kids as "dull,"
"slow," or "lazy." Despite their best efforts, dyslexic
children still fall far short due to their subpar performance. In order to
avoid criticism or judgement, many kids forgo studying or learning at all.
7. A bad learning
environment: Learning requires a proper learning environment. An setting that
is unsuitable for learning is one that is characterized by marital and family
issues, drunkenness, a difficult home life, or persistent distractions like a
noisy TV. A bad learning environment is also influenced by tense parent-child
relationships.
8. More distractions:
Children are distracted by excessive screen time, device addiction, and early
financial freedom with no restrictions.
9. A hostile learning
environment: It's not unusual for students to grow disinterested in a subject
when they don't like their teacher. Children often come to hate a topic or even
the school when the classroom is filled with harsh criticism and antagonism.
How to create
interest in studies for school students
- Understand your child: Have a talk with your child
and try to understand his daily life at school. Ask him about his friends,
who he likes talking to, and the things that irk him. Good interpersonal
relationship among friends and peers is a vital step to improving his
learning environment.
- Focus on learning and not studying: Students need to understand
that learning is a lifelong process and that a good learning outcome is
more important than the marks they score. If a child learns how to apply
the concepts she’s learned in real life, the learning objective is met.
- Do not ‘take over’: Students should be
challenged in classrooms to think of new ideas and concepts and apply them
in real life through projects and role-plays. It is important that parents
do not ‘take over’ the school projects to make their children ‘look good’.
Buying ready-made projects is also a sure way to curb the learning
process.
- Remove barriers to learning: Learning difficulties like
dyslexia, developmental delays, behavioral and attention problems can
affect a child’s academic performance. Early identification and intervention,
like psychological assessment and occupational therapy, are crucial to
removing such barriers. Students also need periodical eye or ENT check-ups
to determine problems in vision or hearing.
- Improve home environment: Parents need to be mindful
about sorting their marital and family conflicts through healthy ways like
counselling and not resort to arguing and shouting in front of their
children.
- Remove distractions: Wean your children
from electronic gadgets and TV and reduce their screen time. Encourage
them to play outdoors as it will increase their self-esteem,
self-awareness, and social skills. These three qualities are very
important for a child to learn and excel, utilizing his full potential.
Encourage your child to find happiness in simpler pursuits and not by
buying toys and gadgets to make him happy.
- Choose the right school: Classrooms should be a space
for healthy discussions, debates, and constructive learning. Teachers
should be receptive to different ideas and encourage critical thinking in
their students. Ensure you choose such a learning environment for your
child rather than chasing after a school that advertises top scores.
- Give them the right kind of motivation: Think beyond giving ‘gifts’
or ‘rewards’ to your children if they study well. Many children have an
innate fondness for a subject based on their aptitude and have the
intrinsic motivation to learn. For other subjects, parents and
teachers should learn to motivate their children. For example, even if a
child has no desire to learn the laws of the Indian Constitution, they can
still be motivated to learn by helping them understand its need and
importance and how being aware of such laws will make them an empowered
citizen.
- Have clear learning objectives: When children feel
overwhelmed with a lack of comprehension, having clear learning objectives
and goals will help them relax and feel more focused.
Conclusion
Learning is a continuous process that is not only done in a
classroom. Parents must realize that a child's love of learning can be fostered
in many different ways, and that success in school does not always equate to
receiving a high grade but rather an overall development.
