Hi, everyone!

This question was something that I asked, when I looked at my 11-year-old brother.

He is currently “preparing” for the Year 7 admissions exams in another school. Well… I can’t really call it preparing.

He was notified of the exam date a month in advance, providing him the time to practise his English and maths.

Six days are now left, five of which are school days, and he has yet to do a practise paper. My parents and I have tried the “carrot and stick” method on several occasion, for example allowing him to play his Xbox only if he has done a certain amount of work, however that is no longer effective. He prefers to loiter around doing absolutely nothing, than spend a solid hour writing and playing afterwards.

We have also stressed the importance and the consequences of failing this exam, but he refuses to listen.

It would have all been fine, if he was good at doing both of these papers, and simply refused further practice, but that is not the case here.

I have no doubt that if he continues at this rate, he will fail.

I think back upon that time when I sat these exams, and the thought of not practising beforehand never crossed my mind. In my head, it was a given that this was what was required of me, and it wasn’t a matter of want or don’t want.

So here are some questions that I asked myself, based on this situation:

• How to motivate oneself to do something, if there isn’t a goal or a dream that they have?
• How to set a goal, if there isn’t anything particular that you want in life?
• How to better explain and deliver the value of a certain action or process, like in my case, how can I tell my brother the importance of this exam, for him to truly understand?

I look forward to hearing what you guys think,

Comment below what you would do, if you were in my place.

JN