Learner Resilience
With contributions from: Angelica Rodriguez
As a Yipiyap, you are in a unique position to connect with your students due to your own recent experiences with similar academic pressure. However, one of the most significant challenges you may face is supporting students who struggle with low confidence and resilience in their learning. These issues can stem from a range factors, from a reluctance to participate, fear of failure, and an overall lack of engagement with the material. That's why in this article, we're focusing on Learner Resilience - a crucial skill that helps students overcome challenges and persevere in their academic journeys.
Understanding Learner Resilience
Resilience in learning refers to a student’s ability to maintain interest and engagement in their studies, even when faced with difficulties or lack of immediate success (Philips, 2022). This type of resilience is crucial in educational environments where students often come across subjects or concepts that are challenging or initially unappealing.
Resilient learners are not easily discouraged by setbacks or lack of understanding. Instead, they are motivated to continue exploring, asking questions, and making efforts to overcome obstacles. In contrast, students with low resilience may disengage quickly when they find the material difficult or boring, often convincing themselves that they “just aren’t good” at certain subjects (Pullom, n.d.)
The importance of resilience in learning
Resilience is essential for academic success and long-term personal development. Students who demonstrate resilience are better equipped to handle the pressures of exams, coursework, and the often rigorous demands of education (Shengyao et al, 2024). On the other hand, those with low resilience may easily become encouraged by poor grades, difficult assignments, or the complexity of the subjects they are studying.
In subjects like Maths or Science, resilience is particularly important. These subjects often require students to engage in problem-solving, deal with abstract concepts, and accept that making mistakes is part of the learning process. For example, a student struggling with a complex algebraic equation may need to attempt several approaches before finding the correct solution. Without resilience, the student might give up after the first failed attempt, leading to a cycle of low confidence and poor performance.
Factors that affect resilience
Several factors can impact a student’s resilience to learning. Being aware of these can be helpful in identifying how to support a particular student.
Previous experiences with learning: Students who have frequently struggled in school may develop a negative association with learning, seeing it as a series of failures rather than opportunities. This mindset can reduce their resilience, making them more likely to disengage when faced with new challenges.
Perception of relevance: If students do not see the relevance of what they are learning to their lives or future goals, they are less likely to be resilient in their studies (Blue, 2022). For example, a student who does not understand how algebra applies to real life may be less motivated to persist in learning it.
Support systems: The presence of supportive tutors, teachers, and family members can significantly boost a student’s resilience. Supportive adults can provide encouragement, help students navigate challenges and model resilient behaviours themselves (Public Health England, 2014).
Emotional well-being: Students who are dealing with stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues may have less energy and motivation to apply themselves to learning. Addressing these underlying issues is often necessary to improve their resilience in their academics.
Addressing low confidence in learners
Low confidence in students often manifests as a reluctance to participate, a fear of making mistakes, or an overall lack of belief in their ability to succeed academically. This can lead to students avoiding challenges, not attempting difficult tasks, or even giving up entirely when they encounter obstacles.
This lack of confidence can be both a cause and consequence of low resilience. When students do not believe in themselves, they are less likely to put the effort required to overcome difficulties. Conversely, when they repeatedly fail to engage with the material, their confidence in their abilities can diminish further (Ballane, 2019).
Causes of low confidence in learners
Several factors can contribute to low confidence, including:
Past failures: Repeated failures, particularly in key subjects, can lead students to believe that they are inherently bad at those subjects, reducing their confidence and willingness to engage.
Negative feedback: While feedback is essential for learning, overly critical or negative feedback can damage a student’s confidence, leading them to become more hesitant to try new things or take on challenges (Amin, 2022).
High pressure: Students who feel an intense pressure to perform, whether from parents, teachers, or themselves, may develop a fear of failure that prevents them from fully engaging in their studies (Jiang et al, 2022)
Perfectionism: Some students set unrealistically high standards for themselves and may feel like failures if they cannot meet these standards, even when their performance is objectively good (Chang et al, 2016).
Comparison with peers: Constantly comparing themselves to peers who seem to excel can make students feel inadequate, further lowering their confidence (Kam, 2021).
Strategies to boost confidence and resilience
As a tutor, you can play a crucial role in helping students overcome low confidence. Here are some strategies you can use:
Encourage a growth mindset: Teach students that their abilities can improve with effort and practice. Emphasise the value of learning from mistakes and viewing challenges as opportunities to grow. For example, when a student struggles with a Maths problem, instead of focusing on the error, highlight the learning process involved in finding the solution.
Set achievable goals: Help students set small, manageable goals that they can accomplish. Achieving these goals will provide them with a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence over time. For instance, if a student struggles with essay writing, start by setting a goal to write a strong introductory paragraph before tackling the entire essay.
Positive reinforcement: Praise students for their efforts and progress, not just their successes. Positive reinforcement can help build a student’s self esteem and confidence, encouraging them to continue working hard. Be specific in your praise; instead of saying “Good job,” try “You did a great job analysing that poem’s theme.”
Model resilience: As a tutor, your behaviour sets an example for your students. Share your own experiences with learning challenges and how you overcame them. This can show them that resilience is a trait that can be developed and that everyone faces difficulties.
Create a supportive environment: Create a classroom environment where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and express themselves without fear of judgement.
Subject-specific: Practical Techniques
Maths
Maths is a subject where many students struggle with both resilience and confidence. To help them, try the following techniques:
Break problems into smaller steps: Large, complex problems can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps to help students build confidence as they progress. For example, when teaching algebra, focus on simplifying expressions before moving onto solving equations.
Use real-life applications: Relating Maths to real-life situations can make it more engaging and less intimidating for students. For example, use budgeting as a way to teach percentages and fractions.
Encourage collaborative learning: Working with peers can help students feel more supported and less isolated in their learning. Group work can also expose students to different problem-solving strategies.
English
English, particularly writing and literature analysis, can be challenging for students with low confidence. To support them:
Provide scaffolding: Start with structured activities and gradually increase the complexity as students become more confident. For example, when teaching essay writing, begin with sentence structure, then paragraphs, and finally full essays.
Use texts that interests students: Engage students with texts that align with their interests. When they find the material relatable, they are more likely to participate and feel confident in their understanding (Tan, 2021).
Encourage creative expression: Allow students to express their ideas in various forms, such as creative writing, visual arts or drama. This can make the material more accessible and engaging.
Science
Science often involves complex concepts that can intimidate students. To build resilience and confidence:
Hands-on experiments: Engage students with hands-on experiments that allow them to see concepts in action. This practical approach can make abstract ideas more concrete and less daunting.
Visual aids and models: Use diagrams, models, and other visual aids to help students better understand complex scientific concepts. For example, use a model of the solar system to explain planetary motion.
Promote question-based learning: Encourage students to ask questions and explore answers through investigation. This approach helps them to take ownership of their learning and build confidence in their ability to discover new information.
Mastering the Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is all about believing that abilities can be developed through effort. By encouraging students to view challenges as opportunities, you help them build resilience. Instead of giving up when things get tough, they learn to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. This shift in mindset empowers students to push through setbacks and keep growing.
How do you develop this mindset in your students?
Emphasise effort, not talent: Encourage students to focus on how hard they work rather than their inherent skills. Remind them that progress comes with practice, just like in sports or music.
Reframe mistakes as learning: Shift the narrative around errors. For example, if a student makes a mistake in their Maths problem, guide them to see it as a step towards understanding rather than a failure.
Use ‘yet’ language: When students say “I can’t do this,” add the word “yet.” This simple word transforms their thinking and encourages persistence, reinforcing that improvement is possible over time.
Praise the process: Acknowledge the methods and perseverance students use. Instead of saying, "You're smart," say, "You really worked hard on that!"
Encourage curiosity: Teach students to ask questions and explore different ways of solving problems. Let them know that struggling is part of the learning process and a sign that they are stretching their capabilities.
Your role in supporting resilience and confidence
Your relationship with your students is fundamental to building resilience and confidence. Students are more likely to engage with learning when they feel understood and supported (Klem and Connell, 2004).
Show empathy: Acknowledge the difficulties your students face and validate their feelings. This can help them feel more comfortable and willing to engage in learning (Lundy and Swartz, 2013).
Be patient: Developing resilience and confidence takes time. Be patient with your students as they work through challenges, and provide consistent encouragement.
Personalise your approach: Each student is unique, with different strengths and weaknesses. Tailor your tutoring approach to meet the specific needs of each student.
Conclusion
You have a unique opportunity to influence your students’ attitude towards learning. By understanding the importance of resilience and confidence, and by using the strategies outlined in this article, you can help your students overcome their resistance to learning and develop a more positive and engaged approach to their education. Remember that building resilience and confidence is a gradual process, but with patience, empathy, and dedication, you can help your students develop the skills they need to succeed both academically and personally.
Your role as a tutor is not just to provide knowledge, but to inspire and motivate. By focusing on resilience and confidence, you can help your students unlock their full potential and develop a lifelong love for learning.
