How Can Parents Keep Their Children Motivated for Dissertation Writing?

Introduction

Dissertation writing is an arduous task that is time-taking and a lengthy process. Many students get demotivated and frustrated by the process of dissertation writing. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to write an assignment. So, staying motivated is important to complete the dissertation on time. Several factors can encourage students to maintain motivation. But family support, especially parents’ encouragement, is crucial for completing the dissertation. But how can parents keep their children motivated for dissertation writing? This article is a guide for parents to keep their children motivated to complete their dissertation successfully.

Why do parents need to motivate their children?

Academic responsibilities increase as children progress through academic life. Students at a higher level have to be self-organized, and they have to take on more responsibilities. They have to ensure staying top of their class whilst managing the Herculean task of writing assignments and dissertations. Some students build self-reliant capabilities and manage to go through academic life unscathed. But some students cannot manage things properly, and they need some emotional support to perform better.

Many parents take it for granted and do not pay keen attention to their older children who might be struggling in academic life. Some of the parents resort to forcing their children to focus on their academic life, which leads to feelings of resentment. Parenting requires constant monitoring and supervision, but it must be a positive encouragement. Older children cannot perform better if parents resort to threats and forceful behavior. Parents must positively encourage their children to support them emotionally while they are struggling in academic life.

Similarly, dissertation writing is not an easy task, and every student has a different learning capacity. Weak students feel overwhelmed by the task of writing a dissertation. They worry too much and linger on things till the last moment. As a result, they write a plagiarised dissertation or pay someone to complete their dissertation. It impedes their intellectual abilities and leads to low self-esteem, which is detrimental to their careers. So, the role of parents is crucial in motivating their children for dissertation writing.

How can parents motivate their children for dissertation writing?

Here are some tips for parents to keep their children motivated for dissertation writing:

1. Identify the Problem Your Child is Facing

The first thing is to understand what stops your child from writing a dissertation. Children get demotivated due to several reasons. So, the first thing parents can do is identify the problems their children face. Once parents identify the obstacles their child is facing, they can develop strategies to mitigate the situation. Here are some things to look for while identifying the problem:

• Communicate with your child about the problems he is facing in dissertation writing
• Ask him if he or she is unable to understand the material?
• Is he or she worried about the deadline?
• Does he or she need some assistance in writing the dissertation?
• Is the topic too difficult for the child to handle?
• Identify why does he lack the motivation to write a dissertation?

1. Create a Study Environment

Parents can create an environment appropriate for studying after identifying the problems children could be facing in dissertation writing. Here are some tips for doing that:

• Make sure that your child gets to work in a quiet environment so that there are no distractions
• Dissertation writing is an exhausting activity, and it consumes a lot of energy. Anxiety stems from a hungry stomach. Ensure that your child is taking proper nutrition while studying and provide your children with snacks and healthy beverages to stay focused.
• Make sure that the child has all the tools available at their disposal. They must have a good laptop and a good internet connection.

1. Make Study Plans Together

Some children can work with minimal supervision, while others find it hard to study independently. Parents can make study plans with their children to keep them motivated. Parents can do the following things:

• Make study plans for each day
• Outline and follow it to the letter
• Prioritise those tasks which are important and difficult for your child
• Assign study hours depending upon the capacity of your child
• Assist the child in making notes and finding the relevant sources for the dissertation
• Help the child in staying organized
• Take active breaks while studying and do something fun to release stress

1. Create a Reward System

Psychologists assert that human beings tend to work better when they know that they will get a reward if they work for something. Although completing your degree on time by submitting the dissertation on time is a reward in itself.

But some students are not motivated by this reward system. Every student has different motivating factors. So, parents can create a reward system for their children to keep them motivated. They know what their children want so that they can create a reward system based on milestones.

In this manner, parents can keep their children motivated by creating a reward system that is positive and encouraging. A reward does not necessarily entail tangible benefits, but it can also be intangible. Older kids respond well to praise and an acknowledgment of their efforts. Parents must make sure that they do not criticize their children for not doing the work properly. Parents must reward the efforts of their children rather than the outcomes.

1. Remind Children about their Long-term goals

Older kids sometimes fail to see the bigger picture, and they indulge in short-term self-gratification activities. Parents can constantly remind their kids about their long-term goals to keep them motivated for dissertation writing. Parents can keep reminding their children about the professional benefits their child will get if he or she completes the dissertation on time.

1. Allow Children To Make Mistakes

As the proverb says, “To err is human, to forgive divine” Parents must show compassion towards the mistakes of their children. No one is perfect, and it is natural to make mistakes. We learn from our mistakes, so parents must not scoff at their child’s mistakes. They must encourage them by allowing them to make mistakes.

Conclusion

Good parenting requires building an emotional bond with your children and making them feel safe. Dissertation writing is a frustrating endeavor, so the role of parents is crucial in keeping their children motivated. Parents can follow the guidelines mentioned above and play a constructive role in their children’s academic life.