Overcoming Academic Struggles in High School: One Student’s Unexpected Journey

When I first met Lana, she didn't want to be there. She was a junior at a prestigious private high school, juggling a demanding workload and the typical teenage whirlwind of social commitments, extracurriculars, and self-discovery. But despite her intelligence, Lana was facing overcoming academic struggles in high school—not because she lacked ability, but because she couldn’t see the point. Her frustration turned into dismissiveness, and school felt more like a battleground than a place of growth.

A Frustrated, Brilliant Mind

Lana wasn't failing; she was floundering. She was capable, even brilliant, but she struggled to connect what she was learning in school to her real life. English Literature, History essays, even her Psychology coursework—everything felt irrelevant to her. She could quickly skim the surface of an assignment, deliver just enough to get by, and then dismiss the entire experience as a waste of time.

Socially, Lana thrived, but even her friendships came with high expectations. She often held her classmates to the same lofty social standards she applied to herself, and when those expectations weren't met, she could be unforgiving.

Her relationships with her teachers were even more fraught. Lana was quick to call out what she saw as their shortcomings, sometimes even taking her complaints to the administration. She was deeply critical of authority, but to her credit, she was also open to discussing these frustrations in our sessions.

Building Trust: The First Goal

Before we could tackle coursework or deadlines, I knew I needed to earn Lana's trust. She was skeptical of me and of the tutoring process itself.

So, we began slowly.

In our early sessions, we talked—not about assignments or grades, but about life—her interests, her frustrations, the things she loved. I asked questions and gave her space to speak. Slowly, our conversations turned to school, and I framed our discussions to make her feel heard.

We started with low-stakes writing exercises. Each session began with a 10-minute free-write called "Brain Dumps." These exercises weren't about grammar or structure; they were a way for Lana to process her thoughts, whether about her English paper, prom plans, or her exasperation with her history teacher.

Through these free-writes, I saw Lana's deeper frustrations emerge: her belief that school lacked purpose, her struggle to reconcile her strong personality with the expectations of authority figures, and her desire to understand why things were the way they were.

Breaking Down Barriers

Lana wasn't an easy student.

There were days she refused to work on her assignments, even though she showed up for our sessions. Instead of forcing her, I shifted gears. I asked her questions:

"Why do you think your teacher assigned this?"
"What would you change about the curriculum if you were in charge?"
"What's one thing you can take from this that might actually matter to you?"

These conversations were transformative. Over time, Lana began to think critically about her frustrations. She started to see her teachers as people, not just authority figures, and she softened in how she spoke about them.

For literature assignments, we turned to the Socratic method. Instead of telling Lana what Jane Eyre or I Stand Here Ironing meant, I asked questions:

"Why do you think this character made that choice?"
"What does this theme remind you of in your own life?"
"If you were the author, what would you want readers to take away?"

Audiobooks became our secret weapon. Reading alongside an audio version helped Lana engage with challenging texts, and pausing to discuss key moments kept her focused.

With time, Lana began to connect the dots—not just in the literature but also in her own thinking.

A Turning Point at the Museum

The real breakthrough came outside of our sessions.

Toward the end of our work together, Lana visited a few historically Black colleges. At Howard University, she had a chance encounter with a summer intern working at the National Gallery of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.

This intern offered Lana a private museum tour, and something shifted during that visit.

Lana described it to me later, her voice filled with awe: "The people in the paintings looked just like me."

She told me about the stories behind the art, the emotions they stirred, and how it felt to see her own identity reflected back to her in such a profound way.

For the first time, Lana wasn't just analyzing a piece of work—she was experiencing it. This encounter sparked her, and she became excited to apply for the same summer internship program that had inspired her.

Results: Growth in Every Direction

Lana's transformation wasn't an overnight success story but a slow, steady process. But the changes were undeniable.

Executive Functioning: She learned to create realistic plans for her schoolwork, discovering that structure gave her more time for what she loved, like socializing and napping.
Critical Thinking: Lana moved beyond surface-level summaries to thoughtful analysis, especially in literature. Her reflections on I Stand Here Ironing marked a turning point as she connected the text's themes to her life.
Perspective: Lana began approaching school curiously, even if she didn't love every assignment. Her attitude toward her teachers became more balanced, and she started to see education as more than a chore. She realized that education is a way to understand the world.

The Mentor-Student Bond

My role with Lana was more than academic.

I was her sounding board, guide, and sometimes, reality check. She pushed back often, but she also listened. Over time, our sessions became a space where she could express her frustrations freely and work through them constructively.

I invested in her not just as a student but as a person.

I wanted her to see her brilliance—to recognize that the sharp, inquisitive mind she used to critique her teachers was the same mind that could unlock a deeper understanding of the world around her.

The Scholar Emerges

When I think about Lana now, I don’t just see the student who resisted her coursework or rolled her eyes at assignments. I see a young woman who went through the journey of overcoming academic struggles in high school, transforming her skepticism into curiosity and her frustration into engagement. She learned to ask deeper questions, connect with her work, and approach education with a sense of purpose. Lana still has her edge—that sharp personality that makes her uniquely her. But now, she also has the tools to navigate challenges, think critically, and continue growing in every aspect of her life.

You Are More Than Your Struggles—Let’s Find the Path That Works for You

GET STARTED TODAY

Lana’s story is just one example of how academic challenges can feel overwhelming—until the right support makes all the difference. If you or your student is feeling frustrated, unmotivated, or disconnected from school, know that you’re not alone.

I specialize in helping students find their own way—building confidence, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose along the way. Let’s work together to turn challenges into growth.