Take out a piece of paper, set it up for
Cornell Notes, and give it the title:
4 Challenges for
Finishing High School
Quick!
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Without thinking about it too much, write
down the first word that you think of in
response to each of the following:
Teacher
Math
Homework
Report Card
Tests
Challenge 1: “I’m Stressed Out!”
 Stress
does not
end with school




Bills
Family
Work
In-laws, etc.
Sharpen the Saw

1)
2)
3)
4)
Sharpen the Saw – means to replenish
(recharge) the four parts that make up
you.
Body (physical)
Heart (relationships)
Mind (mentally)
Soul (spiritually)
How well do you sharpen your saw?
Walking Zombies

Sleep deprivation contributes to depression, lower
grades, accidents, and emotional problems.
1. Get what you need

Most teens need to sleep 8.5-9.25 hours a day, but only get 7.
2. Go to bed early, get up early.

Every hour of sleep before
midnight is worth two hours after.
3. Be somewhat consistent

Binge sleeping will mess you up
4. Relax before bed
Discussion
How much sleep do
you normally get?
What do you do to relax?
Have you noticed the effects sleep can
have on your performance?
What can keep you from getting
enough sleep?
Challenge 2:
“There’s Not Enough Time!”
“If only I had an extra hour every day!”
= 7 more hours a week
What could you get done with that much
time?
Most of us probably waste that much time
each week doing unimportant activities.
Time Wasters
Television
I watch _____ hours
of TV each week.
Average teen
watches 21 hours
a week!
PTW (Personal Time Waster)
Video Games, Shopping, IM, Phone
My PTW is ______________.
Learn to Say “No” With a Smile
 Do
I really need…
to have a part time job?
to play two sports?
to be in every club?
to play so many instruments?
to go to every party?
to do every activity at church?
Stop Procrastinating!
The remedy for procrastination is …
“Just do it!”
The best way to get in this habit is to use a
planner!
You’ll know what you have coming up, and
you will have a great feeling when you
start crossing off homework, projects, etc!
Challenge 3: “I Just Don’t Care”
I just don’t feel
motivated to get out
of this well, so I’m
not going to try.
Two Types of Motivation
External Motivation – doing something
because there is a reward or
consequence.
Examples: getting good grades because your
parents will buy you a car, working hard to be a good
athlete to make your dad proud.
Internal Motivation – doing something
because you see value in it.
Examples: getting good grades because you want to
go to college, working hard to be a good athlete because
you enjoy competition and achievement.
Develop a hobby that you really love
Sign up for an elective class you have
always wanted to take
Get involved in fun and challenging
extracurricular activities at school like a
club or sport
Apply for a summer job or internship in a
field that excites you
Take a class from a teacher everyone says
is the best
Start your own business
Travel, at home or abroad
4 Questions
Take out a piece of paper, label with your name,
date, period, and title.
1. What are some of your hobbies?
2. Is there an elective class that you have
taken that you really enjoyed or an elective
you know you want to take?
3. What school activities are you involved
with?
4. Where have you traveled? Where would
you like to travel?
Challenge 4:
“I’m Just No Good At School”
School doesn’t address all of our abilities.
There are four main types of intelligence.
IQ (mental intelligence)
Our ability to analyze,
reason, think abstractly,
and use language
Does well at math, science,
English, etc.
Viewed by others as “smart”
or “nerdy”
EQ (emotional intelligence)

Lots of intuition, can read social situations,
and can get along with people
Joins clubs, student
government. Asked
to plan parties and
events.
Viewed by others as
“charming” or
“manipulative”
SQ (spiritual intelligence)
Longing and capacity for
vision, value, and meaning.
Serves other people.
Seen by others as “kind” or
“a sucker”
PQ ( physical intelligence)
Learn through bodily
kinesthetic means,
like physical
sensations and
touching
Seen by others as
“athletic” or “jocks”
Take out a scratch piece of paper
Brainstorm: Make a list of at least five
tips for making good grades.
Discuss: Share your ideas in groups of
five. After everyone has shared their
lists, come up with the best five tips and
write them on your paper.