Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 23 Jun 2025
As the school year progresses and the pressure of end of year exams and results starts to build, many students begin to show signs of struggle, but the early warning signs are often easy to miss. According to Michael Black, education expert and founder of Success Tutoring, parents should pay close attention to behavioural and emotional cues that may indicate their child is falling behind or feeling overwhelmed.
"Most students won't come out and say 'I need help', but their behaviour will. The key is knowing what to look for before it affects their results or wellbeing," Black said.
Michael Black is a highly revered entrepreneur and business leader and the founder and CEO of Success Tutoring. The franchise group is achieving unparalleled growth with new centres opening across Australia every year. It launched into New Zealand in March and further expands into other international markets including Singapore, Canada, the US and the UK this year. The Success Tutoring team is seeing many children not only turn their grades and enjoyment of school around, but also witnessing kids feeling better about themselves and experiencing an uplift in their whole demeanour.
"While school reports are helpful, the reality is that they are only issued twice a year and understanding how a child is coping at school isn't always straight forward," Black said.
"There are some simple things parents can look out for. We work with thousands of children each year to assist them to develop and master math and English. Many parents are often surprised to learn that their child is struggling more than they realised.
"This impacts the child's education journey and also their self esteem and confidence. As they progress with personalised tuition, their grades improve and so does their overall self of self. It is wonderful to see kids blossoming."
Avoidance or procrastination
"If your child is suddenly putting off homework, avoiding revision or creating endless distractions, it may not be laziness. Avoidance is often a signal that a student feels unprepared or incapable," Black said.
"This is often a very reliable sign that your child may be struggling at school. They may not know where to start, feel embarrassed about falling behind or fear that trying and failing is worse than not trying at all.
"It is important to look out for these signs and understand what they mean."
Drop in confidence or performance
"A shift in your child's attitude toward school or a noticeable dip in their results could point to more than academic difficulty," Black said.
"When students start believing they are 'not smart enough' or 'bad at exams', it damages their motivation and self-belief. This lack of confidence quickly impacts their performance across multiple subjects.
"It is important to recognise when a child is engaging in negative self talk and to step in with reassurance and support before it affects their confidence and wellbeing."
Emotional changes around study
"Pay attention to mood swings, irritability, anxiety or withdrawal, especially when school or exams are mentioned. Emotional distress is a major indicator that your child may be silently struggling. This can show up as tears, anger, silence or even physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue leading up to study time," Black said.
Why timely support matters
Black emphasised that recognising these signs early can make all the difference. When students are given the right support, they not only improve academically, they rebuild their confidence and sense of control.
"The right support at the right time can change the way a student approaches challenges. It's not just about results, it's about belief in themselves," he said.
About Success Tutoring
Founded by Michael Black in 2017, Success Tutoring is Australia's fastest growing education centre with multiple locations and a further 150 cities planned worldwide by 2026. The company offers weekly tutoring sessions in English and math for students aged five to 17, with a school readiness program for kids even younger, and selective school exam preparation tutoring also available. The Success Model not only empowers students to work at their own pace towards progress but also finds success in the social aspect of students coming together and working as a community of students to find motivation, inspiration and a lifelong love of learning.
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