tell us about a time when a student was struggling with a course

by Danny Cormier 6 min read

Why is my student struggling?

Your student may be struggling for any number of reasons – from lack of preparedness, lack of motivation, lack of perseverance, too much partying, mental or emotional difficulties, or just plain homesickness. Whatever the reason, you’re at a loss for where to turn.

What if my student is having difficulty?

There may be many reasons that your student is having difficulty. They may be academic, social, physical, emotional. The college may be able to help, or you may feel that the school is part of the problem. Where do you turn? Somehow, you’ve found your way to College Parent Central, and we hope we can help.

Why do some students don’t study anything?

These students don’t believe in themselves at all. Such students already have a mindset towards a particular subject, and thus, they close their minds to whatever important information will be given on the topic or subject.

Can We Solve Your student’s problems?

We probably can’t solve your student’s problems, but we’d like to give you some things to think about that may help during this time as you and your student explore options and make decisions.

How do you answer Tell me about a time you failed at something?

Answering “Tell Me About a Time You Failed” – Quick InstructionsTalk about a real failure you've had, starting by describing the situation.Explain what happened clearly and quickly.Take responsibility and don't make excuses for the failure.Show what you learned from the experience.More items...

What to do when you are struggling in a class?

5 Tips For When You're Struggling in ClassAsk for help. Go to your teacher or professor and let them know that you are struggling in class. ... Evaluate your priorities. If school isn't at the forefront of your priorities, it may be time to change that! ... Learn from your failures. ... Put in the extra effort. ... Don't give up.

How do you help students who are struggling academically?

Five principles for supporting struggling learnersKnow individual students. Effective teachers know their students. ... Plan according to the developmental levels of students. ... Model instruction and follow up with students. ... Assess students throughout the lesson. ... Provide consistent one-on-one or small group interventions.

How do you answer share an example of a time when you faced a difficult problem at work How did you solve this problem?

1:407:50Describe A Time When You Solved A Difficult Problem - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake the situation pressurize. So what I mean by that when you're giving them a specific response toMoreMake the situation pressurize. So what I mean by that when you're giving them a specific response to this question.

How do you tell your professor you are struggling with class?

You don't have to disclose specific conditions or provide a comprehensive overview in your email. Instead, just let your professor know you're struggling and consider asking for something specific, such as an extension for a particular assignment or extra time to complete a project.

What do you when you're having a hard time in a subject?

Pause, recall, and reflect. After your student has read a page or solved a problem, close their book and ask them to repeat what they had just learned. Don't rush on to the next one yet, let everything sink in, and have them repeat it to you.

What are some academic struggles?

Academic Concerns/Learning DifficultiesPoor study habits.Difficulty grasping course material.Test anxiety that leads to poor performance on exams.Procrastination on assignments.Difficulty planning and organizing to complete assignments or study tasks.Inconsistent class attendance.More items...

Why do students struggle with learning?

Many students struggle not because they're underprepared or unmotivated, socialize too much, or aren't “smart enough,” or “college material,” but for other reasons. Sure, some students are distracted or unfocused and unable to successfully juggle family, work and academic responsibilities.

How do you deal with a slow learner in the classroom?

How to work with slow learners?Reduce distractions by providing a quiet, private place to work.Emphasize strengths. Use lots of praise and reinforcement frequently.Make lessons short. Limit working time. ... Add variety to the academic routine. ... Work on material that is somewhat challenging but allows success.

Can you give me an example of when you have dealt with a challenging situation?

Examples include: Avoid speaking badly of current/former company, co-workers, supervisors, or direct reports. Try not to come across as “superior” in your past or current role. Conversely, don't play yourself down — unless it's explaining how you've grown.

How do you answer what is the most difficult situation you've faced?

Conclusion, other tough interview questions What is the most difficult situation you've ever faced at work? is one behavioral question. Try to narrate a situation with a happy ending. Ideally it should be a story they can remember. Add some numbers and facts in order to make it sound credible.

How do you answer describe a difficult task you were faced with and how you addressed it?

To brainstorm ideas for what task you want to talk about, jot down all of the jobs you've had in your career. Then, think about what was most challenging for you in each role. Also, consider situations in each role where things did not go as planned, or a teammate fell short. These are all good examples you can use.

Why do college students feel helpless?

Your student may be struggling for any number of reasons – from lack of preparedness, lack of motivation, lack of perseverance, too much partying, mental or emotional difficulties, or just plain homesickness. Whatever the reason, you’re at a loss ...

What is a crisis in school?

The Crisis. When something goes wrong, you and your student are both in crisis. It may help to know that you are not alone. It may also help to remember that the definition of crisis is a moment when a decision needs to be made. Something isn’t working, and you and your student will need to face some decisions.

Why is my college student having trouble?

This is every college parent’s nightmare. There may be many reasons that your student is having difficulty. They may be academic, social, physical, emotional. The college may be able to help, or you may feel that the school is part of the problem.

Why do college students feel helpless?

Your student may be struggling for any number of reasons – from lack of preparedness, lack of motivation, lack of perseverance, too much partying, mental or emotional difficulties, or just plain homesickness. Whatever the reason, you’re at a loss ...

How to help students with crisis?

What do you need help with? 1 How do you and your student face the immediate crisis? Defining and understanding the nature of the problem will help. 2 What are some of the underlying causes that led to this situation? 3 How can you and your student work together to find a solution? 4 How can you decide on a course of action?

What is a crisis in school?

The Crisis. When something goes wrong, you and your student are both in a moment of crisis. It may help to know that you are not alone. It may also help to think about one definition of crisis as a moment when a decision needs to be made. Something isn’t working, and you and your student will need to face some decisions.

About the Letter

Below is an actual letter I sent to my students when I turned in their final grades way beyond the deadline. I lightly edited it here to clarify the context, and for it to reach other students, teachers, and parents who share the same struggles.

The Content of the Letter

I’m writing to apologize for the delay of the posting of your final grades. I needed the extra time because of major constraints I’ve been experiencing lately. I’m writing to also assure you that I’ve taken into consideration the unusual stresses we’re all under as I read your papers and added up your grades.

After the Letter

Maybe because I opened a window into my personal life and how the pandemic affected me, I have never received so many emails from students since I joined academia in 2006. Not just emails of distress, or requests to clarify lessons. Emails of appreciation, too, like:

Why do students fail in school?

One of the reasons students fail in school is due to poor financial status. A financially unstable student might not be able to buy the necessary materials, gadgets that will enhance research and may also feed poorly.

Why are examiners not after failing students?

Ask me why. It’s simply because examinations, in the first place, are prepared to test the understanding and the knowledge acquisition level of a student. If you failed, it is most likely you were not prepared, not because your lecturer wants to fail you.

What is a habit that is so common amongst students?

There is a habit that is so common amongst students – relying on each other in the examination hall. A group of students might share the topics of a course amongst themselves, with a plan to give each other answers whenever a question on that topic comes up in the examination question.

Why do students sleep when they fail exams?

You must learn to sleep well and early enough. The reason for this is because, sleeping or resting has a way of improving the memory and retention capacity, plus it makes the brain alert to take in new information.

What are the attributes that make students fail?

3. OVERCONFIDENCE. As much as confidence is good, a student must be very careful not to cross the thin line from confidence to overconfidence. It is one of the common attributes that make students fail. The reason for this is you might become so full of yourself and miss out tiny details that are crucial.

What happens when you keep shifting the time to read forward until there's no time to read again?

In the heart of this habit is procrastination. When you keep shifting the time to read forward until there’s absolutely no time to read again, it will lead to rush hour preparations. Even if you are able to create some time, you will read only be able to read a few portions well.

What happens if you wait until the dying minute to complete your assignments?

If you have the habit of waiting until the dying minute to complete your assignments, you will always end up with little or no quality. I need not tell you that this usually results in poor performance and grades.

Behavioral Interview Questions

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new within a short deadline

How to Answer The interviewer wants to know that you can learn new skills under pressure. Hiring managers want to hear that you are willing to put in the effort required to learn new skills, even when it may seem difficult. Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'Tell me about a time...' are best answered using the STAR method.

Why do we need problem solving skills?

In order to effectively solve challenges or problems in your work, you need problem-solving skills. These are skills such as active listening, creative thinking, and communication.

How to experience new situations?

To experience new situations, you probably need to get out of your comfort zone and, for instance, volunteer for new projects in your current role or ask to temporarily work on another team. You can also learn by observing others in their roles.

Why is problem solving important?

For companies, people who are creative in their thinking and are able to adapt to situations are essential for success. Companies rely on employees who can assess situations and calmly focus on identifying solutions. Needless to say, problem-solving skills are essential in the workplace. This is also the reason why problem-solving questions are ...

What are the skills needed to solve problems?

The ability to solve problems during your work is about using logic, creativity, and imagination to make sense of a challenging situation to come up with an intelligent solution. Problem-solving skills are related to several skills, such as: 1 Taking initiative 2 Communication 3 Resilience 4 Creative thinking 5 Decision making 6 Team-building 7 Research 8 Analysis 9 Active listening

What is the ability to solve problems?

The ability to solve problems during your work is about using logic, creativity, and imagination to make sense of a challenging situation to come up with an intelligent solution. Problem-solving skills are related to several skills, such as: Taking initiative. Communication. Resilience.

What to talk about after describing a situation?

After you describe the situation, talk about your specific responsibilities and what your role was. It’s important that the interviewer gets an understanding of your task during the specific situation that you discuss.

How to work on your skills?

Another way to work on your skills is by seeking out challenges or opportunities to solve. By experiencing new situations, you are more likely to be exposed to challenges to solve.

What the Interviewer Wants to Know

This question is a way for interviewers to get a sense of how you tackle problems and adversity. They are also interested in your level of self-motivation.

Examples of the Best Answers

Here are sample interview answers that you can edit to fit your personal experiences and background. Notice how these responses all demonstrate desirable soft skills that employers hope to find in their new hires.

Tips for Giving the Best Response

Practice your answers. It’s a good idea to have a couple of answers in mind, in case the interviewer nixes your first reply, or the interview goes in a direction you don’t anticipate. Regardless, you should devote some time to practice interviews before you meet with the hiring manager.

What Not to Say

Don’t mention a significant challenge you failed. Don’t mention an important failure (like flunking a class) or use any sort of example that would raise a red flag with your employer about your reliability, ability to focus, coachability, or work ethic (like, “I had to miss a lot of classes”).

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What Do You Need Help with?

  • There are lots of topics to explore as you work at supporting your college student, but here are two categories of articles that might be a good jumping off place. Your Student in Difficulty Supporting Your College Student We hope you’ll also spend time browsing the site to find the articles that are most useful to you now — and in the months and y...
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Start Here

  • If you’re not sure where to start, here are some articles to help you begin to think about your student’s situation and how to begin to work together for a solution.
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Each Path Is Different

  • Many students will encounter difficulties during their college career. The lessons that they learn from these difficulties, and the way in which they handle these difficulties, can be some of the most valuable lessons they will learn. Remember that you and your student want the same thing — success, however you both define it. Your support and guidance can make the difference in ho…
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