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Explanation of how hyperactive students can harness their energy to become successful in school. Also refer to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, ADD, education, self-improvement, success, excellence, training, motivation, high school, college, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Harness Your Hyperactivity in School

by Ron Kurtus (revised 17 July 2006)

Do you often make silly mistakes in a test or your homework because you are rushing through it too fast? Do you also find yourself easily getting distracted, or does your mind go at top speed, jumping from one subject? Are you considered hyperactive?

It is surprising how many students have a short attention span and are considered as hyperactive. Such a condition can be a problem if it is not managed, but it also is energy that can be harnessed to your benefit. The solution is not difficult, but it does take a fair amount of self-discipline.

Questions you may have include:

What are some of the characteristics of a hyperactive person, to see if it applies to me?
What are the benefits of harnessing this energy? What are the possible consequences if it isn't controlled?
What are some ways to harness or control my energy?
What examples are there of people who have done this?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Characteristics of a hyperactive person

Some students have difficulty paying attention in class, act hyperactive or impulsive. They exhibit various characteristics that can be bothersome to teachers, other students and even themselves. You may have some of these behavior traits or perhaps you know of others who have them.

Have short attention span

Students who have problems paying attention are easily distracted. They may often look about the classroom instead of at the teacher or chalkboard. Such students may not read directions or follow instructions and then make silly mistakes. Some are forgetful and often lose things necessary for doing tasks. Others are very disorganized.

When in a conversation, such a student may not pay attention to what the other person is saying and seem rude or uncaring. It takes a lot of self-discipline for such a person to be able to maintain attention.

Are hyperactive

Hyperactive students often get restless sitting in class and may fidget with their hands or feet or squirm in their seats. They may have difficulty engaging in activities quietly and even act as if they are driven by a motor. They also may talk excessively.

This type of excess energy needs to be managed and harnessed into something productive.

Are impulsive

Some students are impulsive, blurting out answers before questions have been completed. Such students may even have difficulty waiting for their turn and often interrupt or intrude upon others. They also may dominate activities, interfere in what others are doing, or quit a game or activity before it's done.

Such students are also often disorganized and fail to plan ahead. They need to learn to control their impulsive nature and make it useful.

Can excel if hyperactivity is managed

Students who learn to manage or control their hyperactive behavior and to harness that energy and creativity can excel in school, their social life and their careers.

These students have the energy and drive to accomplish many things at once, while other students are struggling to do one thing at a time. Hyperactive or impulsive students are often more curious, which causes them to be easily distracted. They can be more creative, because their mind is always searching for different possibilities and ideas.

Many leaders and entrepreneurs who start their own businesses were once considered hyperactive. Through great self-discipline they were able to control their excessive behaviors and transform them into the energy and creativity needed for greatness.

Consequences of uncontrolled behavior

Students who don't learn to manage hyperactive behavior may suffer unpleasant consequences in school and later in life. See if you recognize some of these consequences.

Silly mistakes can mean poor grades

Students who are hyperactive and don't pay attention may be prone to make silly mistakes in tests or homework. They may forget to do required assignments or even do the wrong one. Also, they may often lose their homework, books, or other necessary items.

Can irritate people

Inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness can result in serious social problems. Some students can irritate teachers and fellow students by talking out of turn in class, answering someone else's question, or simply being disruptive in class.

People don't like always being interrupted. Such students may end up getting poor grades and not having many—or any—friends. Such behavioral excesses can make it difficult to make and keep friendships.

Don't get good jobs

Later on in their lives, this uncontrolled behavior can result in them not getting the good jobs or pay that they should, according to their intellectual ability or skills. They may even lose their jobs due to poor job performance, attention and organizational problems, or relationship difficulties. Other times, they may simply quit out of boredom.

Can get depressed

Problems in this area can lead to loneliness, low self-esteem and depression.

But don't get discouraged, if you had some of these excessive behaviors. There are ways to harness your energy productively.

Ways to control and harness your energy

Following are some ideas on how to control your tendency to get distracted, to make silly mistakes, or to be hyperactive or impulsive and to turn that energy into creative and useful forces:

First of all, get motivated to improve yourself
Next, be aware of what you do that causes problems
Then, use tricks to harness your energy
Finally, acknowledge your good behavior

Get motivated to improve yourself

Identify your areas of strength. By focusing on these areas, you can develop the confidence and skills to tackle other, difficult situations. If you realize the consequences of being impulsive or forgetful, then you can be motivated to use some tricks to manage your forgetfulness.

You must make a commitment to adapt your behavior and set a goal of increased performance. You must attempt to manage inappropriate or damaging behavior.

Who wants to always goof up or to feel that people don't like you? It is tough to change, but if you feel you have such a problem, you just have to set your mind on controlling yourself.

Be aware of what you do that causes problems

Be aware of behavior you don't think is good, that causes problems for you, or that turns off other people. Are there things you seems to be always doing—like losing things or getting bored? Do other students seem not to like to talk to you? Are you always interrupting other people when they are talking?

Analyze what you do and perhaps make a list of some of these traits that may be causing you trouble. Once you are aware of what you are doing, it is much easier to correct your problems and to improve the way you act.

Use tricks to harness your energy

There are a number of ideas to try to harness your energy and to control any excessive behavior you may have.

Break projects into small parts

Since you are able to do several things at once, use that ability to your advantage. If you have a large project to do, break it into little pieces and do several of those smaller tasks at once—making sure you complete each of them. This way, you don't get bored or sidetracked from the larger project, and soon the little, completed pieces will add up to the whole project being completed.

If you can complete several things at once, be proud of the fact. Juggle your activities effectively, but don't let things go undone.

Take notes in class, along with ideas

In class, you can take notes of the important facts that the teacher is explaining. This skill is very useful when you are in college. But since your mind is so active, assign an area on your notepaper for other ideas, inventions, doodles or such. You may have to let your teacher what you are doing, so she doesn't think you are goofing around. Or at least be careful about it.

I remember when I was in the 7th grade, I took down notes what the teacher was saying, but I also wrote ideas and doodled in the columns of my notepaper. When my teacher saw that I had drawings of Superman and fast cars on my notepaper, he showed my notes to the class to try to embarrass me. I just learned to be more careful with this teacher. I still got an A in the class.

Let others know

People like to help those who want to improve. If you have been having trouble because you are somewhat hyperactive, you can let your teachers, parents and friends know you are trying to manage and control being impulsive. This may be very hard to do, and it depends on how others will respond. At the very least, they should think more of you for trying to rectify any problems.

Although, some may want to give you advice, that can also be boring.

Answering questions in class or in discussions

Be careful not to dominate the discussion all the time. Cool it once in a while. Try to be considerate of others and let them give their opinions. It is tough to force yourself to listen to others and to pay attention, but it is a skill you should perfect. People don't like those who only talk and don't listen.

Taking tests

Thoroughly prepare for test. Try to be methodical. Learn to read faster, so you don't miss important information.

Doing homework

Do several things at once, preferably two different subjects. Watching TV and doing homework is not too effective, although some students can talk on the phone or listen to the radio and still do their homework.

Give yourself a pat on the back

Pat yourself on the back when you complete a task or avoid a distraction When you catch yourself doing something negative, tell yourself the correct behavior, but don't put yourself down.

Success stories

The following are some stories of people who exhibited these traits and learned to control them, thus resulting in their success.

Tom Hopkins

Hopkins dropped out of college, because it was too boring. He talked a mile-a-minute and ran around like a madman. This turned people off to him. Soon his parents told him they would still love him, even though he was doomed to be a failure.

He put his mind to controlling his energy. He controlled his rapid talking and his actions and soon became a top salesman. He later started to speak to groups on sales and gave motivational speeches around the country. He has also written several books about selling and is considered quite successful.

Brian Tracey

Tracey thought he was very smart, and he would argue and interrupt his friends in school. But soon he realized that he didn't have that many friends, and the reason was that he was always interrupting them and blurting out his opinions before they could finish what they had to say.

He then worked being more considerate, listening to what others had to say and on improving his personality. He is now a successful businessman in Canada.

Others

Do you know of any other examples of people who have harnessed their energy to excel in school and become happy and successful people?

Summary

Examine yourself. If you have some of these characteristics, think about correcting them, so you won't be making silly mistakes in school and turning off other people in the process.

Harness your energy and creativity and become a champion in school and in life.

Answers to Readers' Questions

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