Preteens are at a particular stage in life that makes them very
different from their younger selves and very different from
adults. That means they are often motivated differently so your
question is exceptional in its likely quality in terms of others
needing similar advice. The first thing to know is that at this
point in their development, teens are actually having a growth
spurt in their brains equivalent to the one they had when they
were between two and five years old. They are not growing new
cells, but the are growing new synapses (or connections) between
the cells they have as well as a myelin sheath over the cells in
their frontal lobes. Sometimes, things they could do only a
month ago are actually difficult for them now because they
honestly get muddled and forgetful at times. This doesn't excuse
things like not getting work in, but it makes it a lot easier as
parent to be a little more patient about it. If the trouble is
organizational or related to things like picking up or turning
off lights etc