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by Miss Awesome on January 3rd, 2009

Miss Awesome

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If you were a teacher, what would your response be to a student who said they had no motivation to succeed because the world is going to end in 2012, before they even graduate high school?

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Answers. 24 helpful answers below.

  • by overeducated on January 3rd, 2009

    overeducated

    I would explain that when we were young, during the Cold War, the Doomsday Clock hit less than a minute to midnight and many of OUR generation were absolutely convinced a nuclear war was imminent.
    In the Middle Ages, in Ancient Times, one belief system or another has always held people hostage believing it was the end of the world. Prophesies have come and gone. Thinking the world is going to end soon is nothing new under the sun. But we're all still here.
    And even if it ends soon, living as if it will is no life at all.

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  • by Anonymous on January 3rd, 2009

    Anonymous

    I would set a day aside to discuss Y2K and explain it.

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  • by BrokeDog on January 3rd, 2009

    BrokeDog

    I would tell him/her about some of the previous times the world was supposed to end, (like the generation after Israel became independent, which some considered 40 years as a generation, hence Christ's return was thought to possibly be 1989 ... then the Y2K was a possible end ... and now 2012). Then I would just tell your students that people have been predicting the end since the beginning, and not to take a chance. We should always plan as if we're going to be here, then if we're not, it's no big deal.

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  • by jamamiss on January 3rd, 2009

    jamamiss

    I am a teacher. I would ask him how he KNEW this. Of course, he would recite the prophecies. I would say that most intelligent people did not believe this--that perhaps he ought to get a little more knowledge in order to make an informed opinion and not be such a blind follower.

    Then, I'd tell him that was a nice try. Now get back to work.

    (please note that I use "he" in the general sense. It could also be a she.

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  • by An Educated Optimist on February 3rd, 2009

    An Educated Optimist

    It would depend on whether that student was serious. I do know at least one person who truly believes that the world will end in 2012, and I know I would get into a great deal of trouble for calling my student's spritual beliefs stupid. Assuming he is serious, I would remind him that until then, he is stuck in school anyway, and that it will be that much more pleasant for him if he simply gets his work done and moves on than it would be if I'm constantly on the phone with his parents and sending him to the principal's office.

    If he's clearly being sarcastic, I'd ask him if he really wanted to spend the last three years of his life in my class.

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  • by Adz3r0 on January 28th, 2009

    Adz3r0

    You can try discussing how this is the third or fourth time in the last sixteen years that that prediction has been made. You can talk to him or her about how the media feeds on that type of hysteria for ratings. You can then talk about all of the falsehoods of our media and how you really can't sell a damned thing unless you lie about it at least a little bit.

    Good luck.

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  • by Nasiswand on January 28th, 2009

    Nasiswand

    I'd tell them if they could offer definitive proof then they would receive an A in your class. Watch them learn how to study then! That, or let them know how happy you are that you can start giving slapping students and will only have to deal with society for 3 years before no one is around to care any more.

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  • by Darth Continent on January 3rd, 2009

    Darth Continent

    Wow... that would make me wish corporal punishment were politically correct, 'cause I'd be holding back the urge to slap 'em upside the haid.

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  • by Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector on January 3rd, 2009

    Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector

    Tell them to do a little research and they'll find man has been predicting ''Doomsday'' for as long as man has been predicting yo...:)

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  • by The Extortionist on January 3rd, 2009

    The Extortionist

    Respond: "and what happens if the world does not end in 2012? Then what? You live your life as a hobo? Remember they also said the world would end in 2000 and it didnt, so they can be wrong about this date as well."

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  • by Mike Astill on January 3rd, 2009

    Mike Astill

    "You know what? You're right! Screw it all! I quit!"

    and then walk out and never return.

    ;)

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  • by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on January 3rd, 2009

    Sheriff Raff -Answerhag

    I would be a teacher to do my job and do it well. It is not my responsiblity to try to change the mind of anyone, just educate. If they have no motivation, they should just jump off the nearest bridge and not take up valuable space, water, air and food.

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  • by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on January 28th, 2009

    bagicide stayed 10 months too long

    I think I'd probably start by telling him I was going to call home and see if his parents felt the same way. If they did, I talk to the counselor next.

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  • by Leeses Pieces is COATed in chocolate on January 3rd, 2009

    Leeses Pieces is COATed in chocolate

    Well, don't you want to go out with a bang?! (no pun intended)

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  • by pete1729 on January 3rd, 2009

    pete1729

    enjoy being homeless for the next four years, and thanks for reducing the competition for jobs. actually i would spend sometime comparing it to some other doomsday scenarios. the hale bopp comet suicides are a good example. i think most doomsday hobbyists are just board to tears with their own lives.

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  • by Anonymous on January 3rd, 2009

    Anonymous

    I would start really rolling and laughing at him or her? Ask him: "Since you know the world is going to end in 2012, could you tell me how and when so I could start packing. :)

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  • by Blink 182 on January 3rd, 2009

    Blink 182

    i would say to them, and im completely honest, as mean as it sounds. "if you don't have the motivation to succeed, you might as well die right now since we are all going to die anyways". yes i know that sounds awful, but thats what i would say. its like someone saying, i don't need to work or buy a house, im gonna die in maybe another 60 or 70 years, its pointless.

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  • by C-fighter on January 3rd, 2009

    C-fighter

    I would tell Him/Her to keep studying for as long as he/she can. keep enjoying the sunlight and more drops of rain. Some of us get lost in our daily activities and forget to enjoy the Nature.

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  • by Stephanie on January 3rd, 2009

    Stephanie

    I'd ask them why aren't they at home then?!

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  • by shrinkess on January 28th, 2009

    shrinkess

    What if you're wrong?

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  • by Adz3r0 on January 28th, 2009

    Adz3r0

    ...are those your legs teach =D?

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  • by colombean_ny on January 28th, 2009

    colombean_ny

    they might as well drop out now. because they obviously dont know how to research and find out that 2012 is a spiritual ending, not a physical one. and they mihgt as well learn to clean...

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  • by walter3ca on January 3rd, 2009

    walter3ca

    There is no reason for them to eat, then.

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  • by A on March 7th, 2011

    A

    I would understand where the student was coming from. This is how I feel about school, but about 2011. I have a father who truly believes the end of the world will be this very year. This is one of the biggest reasons that I don't have motivation to graduate high school. I ask myself "What's the point?" I also ask myself "What if he's right? What if it does happen?" It really sucks and can be a huge energy killer. So, yes, I would be understanding of the student and I hope I would also help the student feel more comfortable with coming to school and doing his/her work, no matter how pointless he/she felt like it was. I hope I'd also compliment him/her when he/she did well so that he/she would be more encouraged to get good grades.

    Despite my fears, what helps me want to continue going to school is when teachers show me that they appreciate me and my efforts. It helps me when they believe that I will succeed. It helps me when they view me in high regard and compliment my achievements. It helps me when they give me my work back with compliments to my answers to the questions. It helps me when they want to discuss answers they found awesome more. It helps me when they recognize, notice, and appreciate my abilities. It helps me when they let to know what my grades are all along. If I see that I'm getting high grades, I will be more likely to want to get more high grades. If the teacher doesn't show me my grades all along, it has the opposite effect on me.

    I know I shouldn't be run by my feelings, but I am.

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