I’ve heard this phrase more times than I can count: “School is pointless.” It’s usually delivered with a sigh, a glare, or both. It tends to come from a teenager who’s either stuck on a math problem, disillusioned by group projects, or overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what they’re expected to care about.
At first glance, it might sound like laziness or rebellion. But when a teenager starts questioning the purpose of school, it’s rarely that simple. More often, it’s a signal. A red flag that something deeper is at play. And instead of brushing it off, we need to tune in.
Let’s unpack what might actually be going on behind that loaded statement.
1. They’re struggling with meaning, not just motivation
Teens are not just miniature adults with shorter attention spans. Their brains are in a unique phase of development, wired to seek independence, identity, and purpose. When they say school is pointless, it’s often because they can’t connect what they’re learning to anything that feels real or relevant to their lives.
A 2018 study on why interest matters in adolescent education revealed that teens are more engaged in school when they understand how the material connects to their future goals. But here’s the catch: many teens haven’t figured out what those goals are yet. So the question becomes, why memorize the periodic table if they can’t see how it matters?
This isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a meaning problem. And meaning matters. Without it, even the most diligent student can start to disengage.
2. They feel powerless in a system that doesn’t feel built for them
Most school systems are still rooted in rigid schedules, standardized testing, and one-size-fits-all curricula. For some teens, especially those who think differently or learn outside the norm, it can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
Reports have it that students who feel a lack of autonomy in school are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your teen is feeling boxed in, unheard, or micromanaged, it’s no wonder they might reject the entire premise of school.
When they say it’s pointless, what they might be trying to express is, “This doesn’t feel like it’s for me.”
3. They’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or burnout
Sometimes, “school is pointless” is a coping mechanism. A way to numb out when everything feels too hard. Mental health challenges in teens don’t always look like sadness or isolation. Sometimes they look like apathy.
High school students today report higher levels of stress than adults, according to the American Psychological Association survey in 2024. Between academic pressure, social dynamics, and a hyper-connected digital world, many teens are exhausted. When emotional overwhelm hits, it’s often easier to label the entire institution of school as pointless than to admit they’re struggling to keep up.
This is especially true for high-achieving students who appear “fine” on the outside. The burnout might not be obvious, but it’s real. And it’s telling them that school is no longer something they can engage with emotionally or mentally.
4. They haven’t found a mentor or teacher who sees them
One of the most overlooked drivers of school engagement is the presence of a single adult who believes in you. Not necessarily your parent, though that helps, but a teacher, coach, counselor, or librarian who sees your potential and reflects it back to you.
When teens say school is pointless, sometimes they’re also saying, “Nobody here sees me.” It’s a quiet kind of loneliness.
We know from research that students who feel connected to adults at school are more likely to attend regularly, try harder, and take academic risks. But not every student gets that kind of connection. And in the absence of it, it’s easy to tune out.
5. They’re questioning the system, and that’s not a bad thing
Let’s be honest. Some parts of school do feel pointless. Memorizing outdated facts, sitting through uninspiring lectures, or learning test strategies that have nothing to do with real life can feel disingenuous. So when a teen starts questioning it, maybe that’s not the warning sign we think it is.
It might be the start of critical thinking.
There’s value in helping teens critique the system thoughtfully rather than shutting them down. Ask them, “What would make school feel more meaningful to you?” or “What would you want to learn if you had a say?” Those conversations can open doors to empowerment rather than rebellion.
And when teens are empowered, they’re far more likely to re-engage.
6. They’re caught in the comparison trap
Social media has added a dangerous layer to school life. It’s not just about fitting in at school anymore. It’s about measuring up to curated snapshots of success from everywhere. That comparison game is brutal.
A teen who’s scrolling past images of others getting perfect grades, scholarships, internships, or praise might start to wonder why they even bother. If they don’t think they can “win” the race, they’ll question the point of running it.
In their eyes, school stops being a place of learning and starts being a scoreboard they can’t compete on.
7. They’re wired for hands-on, not heads-down
Not all intelligence shows up in essays and test scores. Some teens are builders, creators, leaders, problem-solvers. Just not in the academic sense that traditional schools reward.
If your teen is more hands-on or entrepreneurial, they might feel disengaged simply because their talents aren’t being acknowledged. They’re bored, not broken. And if school isn’t offering a path where they can explore that part of themselves, “pointless” starts to feel like a fair assessment.
8. They’re not allowed to fail safely
In many schools, failure is something to be feared. But in real life, failure is how we grow. Teens who internalize perfectionism or fear of judgment might avoid schoolwork altogether because the stakes feel too high. “Pointless” can become a shield. One that says, “I didn’t try, so I didn’t fail.”
If failure is treated like a moral flaw instead of a learning opportunity, we shouldn’t be surprised when teens check out.
9. They want purpose, not pressure
More than anything, when a teen says school is pointless, they might be asking, “What’s the point of all this stress?” And if we don’t help them find that point, or at least allow them to explore the question, we risk losing them to cynicism or detachment.
Teens today want to matter. They want to make a difference. They want their education to connect to something larger than themselves. If school doesn’t offer that bridge, they’ll look for meaning elsewhere, and sometimes in places that aren’t constructive.
What can we do?
The key isn’t to convince them that school matters. It’s to understand why they believe it doesn’t, and then meet them there.
- Ask open-ended questions without judgment.
- Share stories of your own doubts and what helped you move through them.
- Find alternative ways they can pursue their interests, even outside of school.
- Help them reframe school as one tool, not the only tool, for building a meaningful life.
Because the truth is, school can feel pointless at times. But if we create space for honest dialogue, support their unique path, and model how to find purpose in unlikely places, we show them that their questions are valid. And that their future is still wide open.
Even if they can’t see the point today.
