Why do schoolwork?

What’s the point? (Image by Shri ram)

Okay, I get it, kid. I get why you’re insisting on not doing what you’re supposed to do.

I understand that when you look at that series of math problems or that paper to write, your eyelids get heavy and you want to find a trap door to escape through.

You look at your pet with a fresh envy: She just gets to sit there while you have work to do.

I’ve had those feelings, too. I still do. The only difference between you and me is that I have a habit of just doing the dreaded thing anyway. I’ve learned that I like the the benefits that come from doing hard things. Therefore, I see the challenge as an opportunity rather than (only) a source of misery.

Just as lifting heavy things makes you physically stronger, doing challenging mental tasks makes you mentally stronger. In other words, you become smarter: You’re more intellectually and emotionally resilient, better able to cope with the challenges we all face. Put simply, when you’ve gotta do something hard, it won’t seem as hard.

Not only does consistent practice enable you to do the work itself more easily (for instance, solving math problems that used to be scary), you’ll find fewer barriers to getting started if you make a habit of just getting started. The whining, the tantrums, the procrastination — these tactics are just delaying the inevitable. (I know — I’ve tried them all.) You’re better off just doing the work. Then, you’ll get really good at just doing the work, no matter what it is. That’s a life skill that’s so much more valuable than whatever you’re actually learning from the assignment itself.

Your new habit of picking up the gauntlet will pay off immediately. Once you’re underway, doing the hard thing, you will be amazed and delighted at how great you feel. Even if the work is a miserable slog, you’ve got a few things going for you: You don’t have anyone nagging you or yelling at you, and you don’t feel the usual guilt, shame, fear, dread, or worry that you experience when you know you’re not on top of your responsibilities.

This positive experience of growth can get a bit addictive, which is why you see kids who are good at school, sports, or music keep getting better at school, sports, or music. It makes them feel good to work hard, so they keep working hard even when no one is forcing them anymore. That is how they become absurdly accomplished while everyone else is looking at memes on their phones.

Believe it or not, you could also be the one who is excelling in school, or sports, or whatever you care about. You can become good at whatever you put your effort into. To do it, you have to practice getting over the horribleness of being bad at it at first. But when you practice this, two things happen: You’re learning how to deal with the discomfort of beginning something new, and then you start getting better at the task at hand. From that point on, the starting the next new thing is less horrible. You’re more comfortable, and you have the confidence of knowing that you can and will get better. That makes for a fun and interesting life.

Sure, I’m a teacher. Maybe I’m saying all this just to get you do your work. But why? Why should I actually care whether you do your dumb old math assignment? It doesn’t affect me, living in my crystal palace on my golden throne. No, I’m sharing this because it will make your life better, not mine. I’ve already figured it out.

I agree, your schoolwork isn’t that important. Everyone knows that. Adults don’t even really remember what they learned in school. None of it is critical. However, to dismiss it and discard it is a missed opportunity. Instead of avoiding your work, use each task as a mental barbell to help you get stronger and more able to achieve what you want out of life. It’s for you, not your parents or your teachers. Whatever you want to accomplish, doing difficult things will help prepare you.