Low-achieving students often have an unclear picture of what they want for their future. They generally measure success in terms of some adult’s reaction to her performance or lack thereof. Too often it boils down to the question, “What is the least I have to do to keep my parents/teachers off my back and avoid punishments, scoldings, and consequences?” When asked how they feel about their grades, the most common response is “I’m in big trouble!” It takes a lot of probing for them to connect with their own feelings about grades, rather than their feelings about their parents’ reactions to them. Initially, they cannot even begin to make this distinction. We can scold, coerce, punish, and force underachievers to succeed temporarily, but if there is no internal change, they fall back into their old patterns over and over again when the pressure is off. It often becomes an endless cycle. For long-term change to happen, we must help them:
be clear about what they want for their future
create big dreams for high school and beyond
remove obstacles and limiting beliefs
design new beliefs that facilitate success
take small but consistent action steps forward
use this knowledge to create “dream come true” lives
Marcia Wieder’s “Making Your Dreams Come True” program focuses on these key elements through a ten-step process facilitated by a certified Dream Coach®. By helping students connect school performance to something THEY care about, we give them the tools to manifest improved academic achievement and an evolving ability to play an active role in creating their own future.
Copyright © 2009 by Holly Cox, LCPC, CDC®
