Q: I'm a junior in high school, and I suppose you could label me as an underachiever. Ever since sixth grade, I've struggled with completing my assignments. I usually say I've forgotten to do them, but in reality, I just don't want to do them. I feel like no matter how hard I try, I still won't get positive results. I know that I'm smart and a very talented writer, but I have no drive to do anything. Even in swimming, a sport I excel in, I almost never want to get in the pool.

I walked into my parents' room and found my mom reading your book "Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades And What You Can Do About It." At first, I was offended, but I eventually realized she's as desperate to get me out of this hole of underachievement as I am. I feel like I'm letting my parents and myself down by continuing on this path. What can I do to show them I understand their struggle and that I'm trying to fix my problems? I reassure them constantly that I'll change, but in the five years I've struggled, they just keep getting let down. I'm sick of my promises being empty. How can I communicate to them that I feel like I'm buried six feet deep and want to get out, but I don't know how?

A: Thank you for writing to me because I especially like to hear from students. I'm extremely impressed with your insight about your motivation problem. You could start by showing your parents the letter you've written to me where at least you're admitting your problem. The letter may help them understand how desperate you feel. A next step could be for you to read the book your parents are reading so that you understand your problem even better.

One important point you've made is that you feel like no matter how hard you try, you still won't get the positive results you hope for. It's important to discover the reason for your lack of confidence. It could be that you're not working very hard and/or don't know how to study, so you're not sure you can achieve your goals. It could also be that you're struggling with an attention problem or a learning disability. Perhaps you're very competitive, feel like a loser and are somewhat depressed. I can't diagnose you from a letter, so you'll want to find a psychologist to help you to rule out any deeper problems. You'll need to get your parents' permission to do this. If they seem hesitant, you can talk to a counselor in school, and the school can provide an evaluation. They, too, will need parent permission, but if the school calls, your parents are likely to agree to it.

In the meantime, you could do some things to get started. Structure your daily study time for at least two hours a day in your room at a desk. If you need a five minute break after the first hour, that's all right. Don't allow yourself to watch TV, play video games or check email or Facebook until after you've completed your homework and study. If you know of a friend who studies very hard and gets good grades, ask her if you can study with her a few times a week to learn how she studies. Many students learn from others how much hard work and repetition is actually involved in studying.

As a junior, you know how close college is. It will already be more difficult to get into the college of your choice, but even more important, if you don't conquer self-discipline now and discover what your underlying problems are, you can't be successful in college.

One more serious concern relates to swim team activities. Since you excel in swimming, it's very surprising that you're not motivated to get into the pool. You could be having an energy problem that's related to diet, vitamin deficiency or physical health that needs the attention of your physician. That should be your first step to rule out health problems that may underlie your lack of motivation.

For free newsletters about ADHD, learning disabilities and/or "Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades And What You Can Do About It" (Great Potential Press, 2008), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each newsletter to the address below. Dr. Sylvia B. Rimm is the director of the Family Achievement Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the author of many books on parenting. More information on raising kids is available at www.sylviarimm.com. Please send questions to: Sylvia B. Rimm on Raising Kids, P.O. Box 32, Watertown, WI 53094 or [email protected]. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.