Helping Struggling Students Succeed: Back to School Goal Setting & Support

Andrea Zians
Aug 13, 2025
3 min read

Helping Struggling Students Succeed: Back to School Goal Setting & Support

Back-to-school season can be a mix of excitement and anxiety—especially for students who have faced academic struggles in the past. Parents hope this year will be different, but somewhere between September’s fresh start and the mid-year slump, many students lose momentum.

Why does this happen?

It’s not usually because students don’t care or aren’t trying. It’s because their goals are unrealistic, too vague, or don’t account for the realities of their challenges. Many students benefit from direct instruction and support when setting goals from themselves.

Why Struggling Students Lose Momentum

Here's a few reasons why struggling students have challenges with goal setting, and how you can support this process.

Goals are too large:
Aiming for a complete turnaround overnight can be overwhelming.
Goals don’t have a clear outcome:
Without a measurable target, it’s hard to know if you’re making progress.
Goals ignore the root issue:
If the reason for struggle isn’t addressed, even the best intentions can fizzle.

For example, if a student tends to miss class because they sleep late, the solution isn’t just “attend all classes.”

We can:

Build a schedule without early-morning classes.
Make a commitment to still attend, even if arriving late after hitting snooze.
Track attendance over time to measure progress.

Turning Lofty Goals into Realistic Wins

Incremental goals work best.

Instead of “I’ll never miss a class again,” try:

“Last year, I missed 30% of my classes, which left me feeling unprepared. This year, I’ll miss no more than 20%—and I’ll keep track.”

Similarly, instead of “I’ll review every night,” make it specific and realistic:

“Looking at my schedule, I’ll plan three weekly review sessions and stick to them.”

When goals are clear, measurable, and realistic, students start to see progress—and that progress builds momentum and students succeed!

It’s Not About the Student, It’s About the System

Struggling students don’t fail because they’re lazy or incapable. They struggle because they need the right tools, systems, and strategies. Once those are in place, success becomes much more attainable—and confidence grows. Suddenly, the goals they set for themselves are attainable and make an impact. They see themselves as competent learners.

As an ADHD and executive functioning coach, I help students design systems and set realistic goals they can actually achieve. And the best part? These skills don’t just get them through the school year—they last a lifetime.

Back to School Success Checklist - Click to Expand

For Parents of Struggling Students

✅ Set Realistic, Measurable Goals.

Replace vague goals (“do better in math”) with clear ones (“improve my math grade from 65% to 75% by December”).

✅ Match Schedules to Strengths.

If mornings are a struggle, avoid early classes when possible. Build routines that work with—not against—your child’s natural rhythms.

✅ Create a Weekly Review Plan.

Block out 2–3 consistent times each week for homework review and test prep. Make them non-negotiable.

✅ Establish Support Systems Early.

Contact the school’s accessibility office, set up tutoring or coaching, and explore accommodations before problems arise.

✅ Use Tools That Reduce Stress.

From assistive technology to visual schedules, find strategies that make school tasks easier to manage.

Pro Tip for Parents:

Ready to Give Your Student the Tools to Thrive?

If your child has ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or just can’t seem to find their academic rhythm, now is the time to set them up for success. Let’s create a personalized plan that builds confidence, improves habits, and leads to lasting change.

Book a consultation today and give your student the strategies they need for their strongest school year yet.

Email me: andrea@andreazians.com