In simple terms… no child chooses school, if they don’t who does? The government. So if a young person does not know why, it is unreasonable for them to put their heart into school.
They need an epiphany!

For some, they enjoy school and it feels natural they love attending, developing friendships and doing the work. There is no urgent need for an epiphany, yet some hate it and can’t wait to leave.

They need an epiphany!

Could this be one of the reasons why our NEET statistics and youth unemployment is through the roof? Our youth unemployment is over 20%, this is so concerning for an ageing country.

So how do we help those who don’t understand the importance of engaging in their school career to experience epiphanies? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Educate them about education: This may be shocking but, a lot of students do not have an authentic answer to why they need school without it being regurgitated from somewhere else. Where possible help a young person to understand, so they can own the reality for themselves.

2. Highlight the link: A student may hate math’s but may want to be an Architect not knowing math’s is needed for design or may want to be a entrepreneur but not see the link with profit.
If they can see the correlation between their aspiration and academic success it helps!

3. The bigger picture: Lets face it; young people are generally sheltered, especially in this country. Some may think the food fairy fills the fridge or hot water is just free and in the taps.

Making students aware that school prepares them to be able to provide for themselves, in my experience makes school make sense.

4. The treasure on the inside: Education is derived from the word “educe” which means to bring out of, which means it is on the inside. However, to me and many others education has lost it’s way.

Education now is about “putting in” knowledge and information, which is to be regurgitated via assessments and exams. I do understand it and it has its place but, I know it doesn’t end here.
Young people need to know that potential, greatness and talent is inside of them whether they are academic or not. Dr Howard Gardner of Harvard University has reasoned that there are multiple intelligences. So if a student knows they are great from the offset it’s a good motivation.

5. The dangers of not making it: whether we want to state it or not, not doing well in life hurts! Not having options and opportunities is painful. Not touching your potential is debilitating.

When young people recognise that they may not be able to have the life they desire (as they have desires) or the garments or luxuries they would like to have, it is a threat.
By making it plain, some will not be able to get onto the property ladder, go on holidays or see the rest of world that they belong to this can and does help to inspire that epiphany!

Conclusion:
For years I have worked with young people and one of the joys I have had is seeing the penny dropping moment, the glint in the eye of when a mentee just “got it” like the eureka moment.
We are all similar in some way and this is not exclusive to young people. I talk it well as I know it well. I have had a number of major epiphanies, which helped to usher me to where I am now.
I realize as times get starker and more challenging for the young and students in school that good grades don’t promise them the life they would like to have. I see epiphanies can help to create that connection, spark, get up and go needed to help many become who they were born to be.

Do you need an epiphany?

Happy Mentoring

Image: bu.ed (Boston University – Students drive discoveries)