My son made it through his finals. Got A's in all of his finals but the most critical (the algebra II) and it's now a new semester. The A's include a almost perfect score in his H. Biology final, but the overall grades aren't where either of us expect them to be. It's two weeks into the new semester, my son had to switch around 3 of his classes to a accommodate the level change in English and he isn't happy with the new placements. Math is now 1st period and a much bigger class, but with the same teacher. Marching Band has been over since Nov. and he dislikes his placement in concert band.

He told me yesterday that he didn't think it was worth trying to put in a lot of effort into things because he wasn't good at anything. The conversation started around how he needs to practice more if he expect to wow the band teacher. But ended with him telling me how sad & unmotivated he feels right now.

Now I intellectually know this is a common feeling for teenagers. But I don't think it should just ignore it and hope it will get better on his own. He really is a very bright gifted kid, but he doesn't put the effort into classwork that as many of his peers. Not sure how to best motivate him. I've been having people tell me he needs to fail to get motivated. But I'm not sure feeling like you aren't good enough is really much of a motivation for him.

Plus he had been slowing making friends in his english class and since the class change doesn't see these kids. He has always struggled making friends. He turns 15 this week and I honestly don't know how to best celebrate it with him as he doesn't really have any take home friends. I know what he wants is to hang out with other kids his age but doesn't feel close enough with anyone to ask them to do anything outside of school.

I can't fix things for him. But I know there must be advice I can give him. I remember being in this place mentally when I was this age and it isn't easy to pull out on ones own. I have suggested he joining Academic Decathlon (9/10 grade is in the spring), and/or to find at least one other school club or activity. This week is the club open house for spring. But I can't MAKE him do it..

Any other advice? Maybe books on the subject.

Last edited by bluemagic; 02/23/14 03:59 PM.