Did you know that struggling at school happens to all of us?
Between homework, tests, and everything else going on in your life, it’s easy to feel like you’re always playing catch-up.
Even though it feels overwhelming, there’s good news. Most of the problems students run into are really common – plus there’s plenty you can do about them.
1. Putting things off until the last minute?
You sit down to start that pesky essay you’ve been avoiding, and somehow an hour later you’ve watched five videos, faffed about, and reorganised your desk.
Sound familiar?
Procrastination doesn’t stem from laziness. It often happens because a task feels too big, or you’re not sure where to start.
So, why not try these instead to help kick-start your motivation?
- Break every task into small steps (“write the first paragraph”, not “do the essay”)
- Set a timer for 20 minutes for maximum focus – and just start
- Put your phone in another room, out of sight
2. Feeling lost in lessons?
Has this ever happened to you? The teacher zooms ahead at 100 mph while you’re still stuck in the pit lane. The last thing you want to do is put your hand up in front of everyone … so you keep quiet.
The gap gets bigger. And before you know it, a huge chunk of the syllabus is a mystery to you, your confidence plummets and you don’t know how to catch up.
Here’s the thing: if you’re confused, someone else probably is too. You could:
- Catch your teacher at the end of the lesson to quietly ask for advice
- Jot down questions as you go along so you don’t forget them
- Look up a quick explainer video at home. YouTube, for instance, is teeming with educational videos
There’s another option too? Even if you’ve missed a whole bunch of lessons and feel hopelessly behind, you could organise a one-to-one tutor to help you review topics at your own pace – without anyone watching.
Many parents who get in touch with us have this problem, and we can help fix it in a jiffy.
3. Struggling at School Due to Exam Stress?
Believe it or not, feeling edgy before a test is normal. But if stress keeps you up at night or makes your mind go blank in the exam, it’s worth tackling.
Even though it may feel like a mammoth task, there are plenty of options to help you beat the blues.
What helps:
- Start revising early. Little and often beats one big cram
- Practise with past papers so the real thing feels familiar
- Get enough sleep (it really does help your memory)
- Talk to someone – whether that’s a friend, parent or teacher
You’ve got this
Everyone hits bumps at school. What matters is spotting the problem early and trying something different to keep it from getting worse.
So, if you’d like a bit of extra support, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Our team of teachers have spent years working with young people like you who felt as if they weren’t getting anywhere.
Armed with a toolbox of strategies, techniques and positive advice, we’ll soon get you back on track.
Although our team is spread across Manchester and Cheshire, we also offer online 121 lessons, which many teenagers and parents prefer.
Just get in touch to find out how our tutors can help if you’re struggling at school. Even if you’re weeks away from your exams, you’d be amazed at how fast things can turn around.
Tags: 121 homework help, Cheshire tutor exam support, confidence problems, exam anxiety, Manchester private tutor, revision support, struggling to revise, YouTube learning