Motivation: Getting to the Core of a Student's Issues

For years I had been the type of student that tried her hardest and could usually get a good grade without putting in too much effort. I knew that if you just paid attention in class and reviewed your notes, you didn't really have to put in any special effort to excel in any subject. After reading the assignment on the motivation modules, I thought I was most closely related to Satisfied Sam. I knew I could get better grades if I wanted, I was by no means stupid, in fact I was above average in terms of iq. However, things in the classroom did not interest me and I often found myself more involved in what I wanted to do such as drawing, writing short stories and or poems or just reading a novel that wasn't a part of the school's curriculum.

I usually just wanted the day to be finished with so that I could concentrate on the things that I felt were important. This rarely coincided with what we were supposed to be learning in the classroom, but as long as I did not get below a b average, I was pretty satisfied. I only took up a serious interest in subjects like Spanish and English because they were in line with what I loved to do anyway. I have always had a love for language, so naturally, I did well in Spanish often scoring far above my peers. Add in the fact that I love to write and English wasn't much of a challenge either. However, when it came to subjects such as math, I had a hard time understanding the complexities of it. After getting good grades all throughout high school regardless of my health issues, math had me stumped. I would try and try and still get a bad grade. I knew it wasn't because I was dumb, it just had to be something I was missing. This fear changed me from a Satisfied Sam, to an Anxious Amy. I refused to answer questions in class, afraid that I would get them wrong, I failed test after test and only survived by doing well on the homework assignments. At the time, I did not realize what was going on. In retrospect, I now now that the time I spent away from class in the hospital and at home ill helped to contribute to the lack of understanding that I have in math.

These days, I still have a fear of answering questions out-loud for fear of the wrong answer, the difference is that I try to take the time and ask about what I do not understand. I ask for help from whoever is willing to give it to me. I try very hard not to become discouraged and give up. While I still have a hard time in math classes, I have found that if I do not give up, I can overcome this aspect of life too!