When should they not drop a subject?

1. The night before an assignment is due

Don’t decide to drop a subject just because they want to avoid finishing one assignment.

No matter how big it is, no matter much they don’t want to do it or how badly they think they will do.

We all want to drop every subject the night before an assignment is due. But if we followed that particular impulse, we would drop out of school by about week 5.

2. Because of one assignment

No matter how bad it is. One bad mark doesn’t make them a failure, anymore than one good mark gets them into university.

It’s important to try and see the subject from a bigger perspective.

Compare it to how they do in other subjects, and think through whether their marks are more likely to improve.

3. Without putting in some effort

Sometimes they can believe they are bad at something and it acts as a self-fulling prophecy.

If they have a genuinely good go at a subject and are still struggling get them to seek help before they drop it! See if a term of tutoring or some frank discussions with their teacher can help them to turn it around.

4. Based on what their friends are doing

For a teenager, it’s can be cool to make a decision based on what their friends are doing.

That’s generally where the need for a new haircut, or a new fashion sense can come from.

But when it comes to choosing if they should drop a subject, it shouldn’t be based on what their friends are doing.

When should they start considering to drop?

Some different things to consider are how relevant the subject is, how much time it is taking up, how miserable it could be making them, and how they are doing in their other subjects.

Don’t encourage them to drop it immediately. Help them to make a calm and considered decision.

Sometimes it’s helpful to have been decided for a few weeks before they do anything.