When discussing a student’s success, the main factor considered is grades, exam and homework results. However, a student’s wellbeing is the foundation that underpins their ability to learn effectively. In my experience tutoring one of the greatest barriers to progress is often not ability, but rather stress, low confidence, and academic burnout, particularly in senior students. When students feel supported and secure, their engagement and performance improve significantly. Regardless of whether stress is external or more of an internal struggle, elevated levels can impair concentration, memory, clarity of thinking and motivation (especially around assessment periods). This can help to explain why somme students who demonstrate understanding during revision may struggle to recall the same information in exams. Wellbeing is therefore not separate from academic achievement… it is essential to it.
There are several indicators that a student’s wellbeing may be affecting their learning. These include avoidance/ procrastination of homework, negative mindsets uch as “I’m not good at this subject,” extreme perfectionism, low tolerance for frustration, and a decline in results despite consistent effort. Such behaviours are often misinterpreted as disengagement, when they are more accurately responses to feeling overwhelmed. Confidence plays a critical role in academic development. Students learn most effectively when they feel safe to make mistakes, comfortable asking questions, and recognised for incremental progress.
Through structured support, achievable goals, and constructive feedback, tutoring can help shift a student’s mindset from self-doubt to a growth mindset. A high-quality tutoring environment provides individualised attention, clear learning structures, and regular opportunities for success.
Parents can further support wellbeing by focusing on effort rather than outcomes, encouraging balanced study routines, promoting adequate rest, and normalising mistakes as part of the learning process.
3 ways parents can support student wellbeing :
1. Emphasise effort over outcomes
2. Establish consistent study routines
3. Normalise challenges and mistakes
Natasya Ross