How to Spot When Students Are Struggling: And Practical Ways to Help

University life asks a lot from students, often more than they’re prepared for. Deadlines stack up, financial pressures creep in, and quiet worries about the future become heavy to carry alone. What many instructors see on the surface — a missed class, a late assignment, a quiet camera on Zoom — is only a small part of a much larger story. And when stress and mental health challenges go unnoticed, the academic consequences can be significant.

According to the American College Health Association’sFall 2024 National College Health Assessment, 37.1% of undergraduate students reported that stress negatively affected their academic performance in the past year. Even more striking, over 70% of students facing issues like procrastination, financial worries, or career anxiety experienced moderate to high levels of distress. These stressors don’t just create bad days they can derail degree progress, fuel withdrawal decisions, and slowly chip away at confidence.

But when instructors notice the early signs and step in with empathy and low-lift support, students often regain footing faster than expected. Here are seven subtle indicators that a student may be struggling, and practical ways you can help.

They’ve Gone Quiet

A student who once contributed freely suddenly slips into silence. They avoid eye contact, sit farther back, turn off their camera, or post half-finished thoughts in online discussions. What seems like disengagement is often a sign of overwhelm.

What You Can Do:Reaching out softly can make all the difference. A simple message — “I noticed you’ve been quieter lately. How are you doing?” — communicates care without pressure.If you’re using platforms like Achieve, consider using analytics to spot students who aren’t engaging with assignments or course materials so you can follow up early.

They Miss One Class… Then Another

Students rarely disappear all at once. It often starts with one missed lecture, then another, as embarrassment or anxiety grows. Many don’t know how to re-enter once they’ve fallen behind.

What You Can Do: Offer pathways back in. Instead of asking why they missed class, ask how you can help them re-engage. Make it clear that missing class doesn’t mean they’ve failed the course. Flexible attendance options, short video summaries, or alternative participation formats can also help students reconnect.

Their Work Quality Changes

When thoughtful students begin turning in rushed, incomplete, or off-topic work, something deeper is usually happening. It might show up as typos, shorter responses, or uncharacteristic mistakes.

What You Can Do: Small adjustments such as grace periods or flexible deadlines reduce anxiety and help students keep going instead of giving up. Achieve’s flexibility settings, like assignment extensions or drop-lowest-score options, allow instructors to support students without sacrificing academic structure. 

They Seem Disconnected or Distant in Class

Disengagement doesn’t always look loud — sometimes it’s a student staring at their phone, doodling, or offering one-word answers. Online, it might be someone who logs in but doesn’t connect.

What You Can Do: A small burst of novelty can reset the room. One-word check-ins, playful GIF prompts, or quick iClicker activities pull students back into the moment and remind them they’re part of a shared learning space. When classrooms feel human, students re-enter more easily.

They Avoid Asking for Help

Many students would rather struggle silently than admit confusion. Perfectionism, fear of judgment, or previous academic experiences can hold them back from seeking support.

What You Can Do: Normalising help-seeking is one of the most powerful things an instructor can do. Share your own experiences, create anonymous question channels, or remind students that learning isn’t linear. Tools like Macmillan Learning’s AI Tutor provide private, judgment-free assistance exactly when students need it most.

They’re Fixated on Grades

When conversations begin and end with “What do I need to get an A?” anxiety and not ambition may be driving the student.

What You Can Do: Reframing the conversation toward growth, effort, and learning can reduce the pressure that immobilises many high-achieving students. Features in Achieve, including goal-setting surveys and reflection activities, help students define success in more sustainable ways.

They Make Casual Comments About Feeling Overwhelmed

A passing “I’m exhausted” or “There’s too much going on” might seem small, but these remarks often reveal the emotional load students are carrying.

What You Can Do: Responding with simple validation — “I heard you mention feeling overwhelmed. I’m here if you need support.” — can make students feel seen. Pointing them toward campus resources or sharing tools like planners, stress-management tips, or wellness apps can create a sense of stability.

You don’t have to be a counselor to make a meaningful impact. Small gestures of compassion and flexible teaching practices can help students regain confidence, reconnect with learning, and stay on track toward their goals. When instructors recognise the early signs of struggle, they offer students not just academic support, but a sense of belonging, something every learner needs to thrive.

Get started with Achieve.

See for yourself why instructors choose Achieve and why their students love it. Get free access to begin exploring Achieve or watch our interactive product tour.

FAQs

What are the earliest signs that a student may be struggling academically or emotionally?

Early signs often appear in subtle behaviour changes rather than dramatic academic declines. A previously engaged student may withdraw from discussions, miss small assignments, or seem unusually tired. Research from the American College Health Association shows that stress and anxiety significantly impact students’ ability to perform academically. When these early signals are acknowledged, instructors can intervene before challenges escalate, helping students feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

How can instructors support students who seem disengaged without making them uncomfortable?

Gentle, private outreach is the most effective approach. A short message expressing care rather than concern sets a supportive tone: “I noticed you seemed a bit quieter this week — is everything okay?” Tools like iClicker or brief reflection prompts can help re-establish a sense of connection without singling anyone out. Creating a classroom culture where mistakes and questions are normal also reduces the pressure students feel when they’ve fallen behind. More engagement strategies can be found at https://www.macmillanlearning.com/ed/uk/blog/educators-guide-to-student-engagement

What role does flexibility play in supporting student wellbeing?

Flexibility doesn’t mean lowering standards — it means offering pathways that help students stay engaged during periods of stress. Grace periods, deadline extensions, and drop-lowest-score policies have been shown to reduce student anxiety and improve completion rates. Achieve makes these options easy to implement at scale, ensuring instructors can maintain structure while still responding compassionately when students struggle. 

Why is it important to normalise help-seeking in college classrooms?

Many students fear asking for help because they worry it will make them appear unprepared or incapable. When instructors openly share their own learning challenges, encourage questions, and provide anonymous channels for support, students begin to understand that help-seeking is a strength. Tools like Macmillan Learning’s AI Tutor offer private, judgment-free guidance, giving students an accessible entry point to support when they need it most.

What is Achieve?

Achieve delivers research-backed personalised learning, real-time feedback, and accessibility features — all integrated into your LMS to keep students engaged without increasing instructor workload. It includes analytics dashboards, flexible assignment settings. Request your free trial.