Academic Concerns ©

Academic concerns, including issues such as underachievement, learning difficulties or disabilities, bullying and lack of attention from teachers can affect a number of students right up to college. These concerns can have a negative influence on the student’s performance in the classroom. Additionally, academic concerns can have a significant effect on other areas of their lives, placing undue stress and interfering with home, work, and play dimensions. Concerns of an academic nature can relate to a student’s performance in the classroom. They may also include the child’s behaviour toward their teachers and fellow students.

Academic Concerns:

• Bullying at school

• Confusion about or misunderstanding of topics of study

• Disinterest in topics of study

• Inability to pay for schooling

• Lack of appropriate attention from the school’s officials

• Learning disabilities

• Procrastination issues

• Time management issues

• Underachievement in studies 

A child who struggles with reading in primary school will be most likely underachieve throughout secondary school. In turn this young adult may find it difficult to prepare for college. Classroom concerns may additionally have an effect on a child/young adult’s mental health.

Mental Health
Academic concerns may result from mental health issues, such as anxiety or attention-deficit hyperactivity. A child may also develop mental health concerns, such as stress, as a result of her/his academic difficulties. A child with a learning disability that is not recognised or correctly treated might become stressed due to parental pressure to up their grades. Furthermore, the child may be frustrated with her/his teacher(s) who are not offering adequate assistance. This child might then become anxious about school, with this stress manifesting as aggression toward the child’s teacher(s) and/or peers.

Support for students with Academic Concerns

Children/teens who experience stress and anxiety due to academic pressure may benefit from counselling. In this confidential, safe one-to-one setting the client learns to identify their anxiety/block and how to overcome it.