What can I do to motivate this drive-less college student?

Question

I have a friend who is now entering his second year in community college. He is taking a summer english class now, and barely keeping up. The work is definitely not his style, but I know he can do it. I've asked what it was that made it hard for him to motivate himself, other than sheer lack of drive and ability to see the future rewards, and his response was that the work was simply unpleasant, and he would rather spend his time doing other more enjoyable things. This is absolutely crazy sounding to me, as I know from previous years in school that the guilt of what I Should be doing would ruin any fun I would be having with my distraction. Reasoning with the problem doesn't seem to help, but I know where it arose - teachers from nearly all grades of school failed to keep his interest, and self-satisfaction was never impressed upon him by his parents. What on Earth can rectify this, and possibly save him?

Answer 1

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do at this time for your friend.  At this time in his life, college may not be for him.  He is simply going through the motions just for the sake of it.  If college is uninteresting and exciting, he needs to focus his time and energy on something else.  Perhaps you should encourage him to seek employment full time for now.  Maybe a change in schools-community college versus a technical school like DeVry or culinary school.  Something that piques his interest.  Maybe he just needs a semster off to gather his thoguhts about his future.  Encourage him to seek the academic carrer counselor to help sort through this.   Perhaps 1-2 years form now, or even 6-7 years from now, he'll decide to go back to school.   College will always be there for him when he is ready.

After high school gradaution (in 1991)  I went the traditional route and got my teaching degree-4 year college.   It took a dear friend  up until THIS MAY to finally, finally, finally, earn his Bachelor's Degree!  He went to college on and off for 17 years!

I would avoid any insults or put downs for now.  Help your friend find his way and move on with life.  College just isn't for everyone!   Good luck!