A recent survey conducted by Tutor Doctor showed that underachieving students
did not achieve their academic goals because of a lack of motivation and
not getting enough help at home. With bigger classes and working parents,
it’s becoming increasingly difficult for struggling students to
find the time and assistance they need to succeed.
Tutor Doctor’s ‘Why Students Fail” Survey Results
Respondents of the “Why Students Fail” survey, estimated that
only a shockingly low 2.6% of students reach their full academic potential.
There are a number of reasons for this poor academic performance; nearly
all of the respondents agreed that students freeze during test taking
(96.8%) and cited an ability to handle pressure/stress (56.8%), being
unprepared (54.1%) and lack of confidence (45.9%) as the most common stumbling
blocks to academic success.
Deep financial cuts to education budgets have meant that many schools have
had to cut tutoring programs. Working parents have no alternative but
to seek help for their students elsewhere. Tutoring programs like those
offered by companies like Tutor Doctor not only help build basic educational
foundations, but also help to improve test taking skills and build confidence
and self-esteem. In-home programs that offer one-to-one tutoring get the
best results and produce marked improvements in very little time.
Peer Pressure and Academic Anxiety
61.5% of the educators surveyed cite peer pressure as causing anxiety and
stress which stirs up an unhealthy competition and ultimately causes poor
academic performance. Pressure to get into a good college begins to impact
students in their sophomore year, according to 37.1% of respondents, followed
closely by freshman (34.3%). Educators were divided on whether this pressure
helps or hinders students’ performance, with 51.7% saying it helps
and 48.3% believing it hinders.
As competition for the limited college openings increase, the pressure
to excel academically in high school also exponentially increases. Boosting
a student’s test taking ability, building confidence and self esteem
can help to reduce stress, combat peer pressure and provide an environment
where academic excellence is possible.
Another hurdle to academic performance is often the fact that students
don’t ask for help. Catching issues before they get too far behind
or before bad grades ruin their college dreams is the best route. Regularly
meet with your student’s teachers to get a sense of where they are
academically and how they are performing.
Tutors are also able to teach valuable organizational and learning skills
which help your student to plan their academic years. If your student
is active socially and plays a high school sport, they need to have great
organizational skills to get everything done.
Find a Tutor Doctor branch near you and invest in your student’s future today.
