As a tutor, the message I feel I receive most is "Blank is sick and will be unable to attend their session. " Like most educators, I often wonder how often these absences are truly due to illness. It's a thought that probably crosses every tutor's mind from time to time. After all, we have all been students once, and I for one remember multiple occasions when staying home from class seemed more appealing.
But as I have grown older, I've realised that focusing on whether a student is truly 'sick' often misses the bigger picture.
If a student is 'pretending' to be sick, there is usually a reason. They may feel overwhelmed, exhausted and anxious and simply be in need of a break. While honesty is always important, I believe a fruitful learning experience can't always just be about ticking off points of content each week.
Missing a lesson doesn't mean all learning stops either. Students continue developing every day in other ways. They learn resilience by managing challenges, communication through conversations with their families and responsibility by catching up on missed work and self-awareness when they recognise when and where they are in need of support.
Of course consistency matters, and regular attendance gives students the best opportunity in order to succeed. However, I've come to appreciate that education is much broader than a single week of classes or hour-long tutoring sessions. I am reminded that my role isn't merely delivering or clarifying content, it's to support students as they grow into capable and thoughtful young people.
So do I sometimes wonder whether a student is really sick. Yes, if I am honest, I do. But instead of dwelling on that question, I choose to focus on what I can control, creating a learning environment they'll want to return to, helping them catch up when they are ready, and remembering that education is about developing the whole person, not just their academic results.
