Encouraging the Frustrated Student Writer

Having great writing skills are imperative for success in the college environment. Every student who wants to succeed and earn a degree, must be a functional writer. This does not mean that they need to be talented at academic writing. It simply means that they must be able to effectively use written communication as required in the classes they are taking. Students who are not where they need to be with regard to their writing skills are going to need extra help. One thing that those who offer this help need to be prepared to deal with is feelings of frustration from the student. Tutors or other individuals who fail to deal with a frustrated student in a helpful and respectful manner are unlikely to be able to help that student succeed. It can be difficult to know how to help a frustrated student, so we have a few tips for encouraging a discouraged student to keep working.

Find the Source of the Student’s Frustration

Before anybody can help a student overcome frustration and improve their writing skills, they must identify the source of that frustration. More often than not, frustration is a secondary emotion. It might be caused by stress, for example, if the student fears receiving poor grades due to their writing skills falling behind. The student’s feelings may also be rooted in embarrassment. They may feel as if they shouldn’t be behind other students or that writing should come easier to them. The best way to determine the reason the student feels discouraged is to ask in a direct and non-confrontational manner. They will appreciate the ability to have an honest discussion about the issue.

Let the Student see their Progress

Many students become frustrated when they do not think they have made as much progress as they really have. One way to help with this is to begin each tutoring session with some written objectives. This will give student a written goal to work towards, and written proof when they have accomplished the objective. It is also helpful to provide the student with an example of how they can apply what they have learned in the classroom. However, it is important to avoid setting goals that the student will recognize as being overly simplistic, and important to avoid telling the student that they have mastered a skill when they really have more work to do.

Recognize when the Student Simply needs a Break

Chances are, the student being helped has a job and other obligations beyond learning to be a better writer. Sometimes they don’t have enough hours in the day to work on difficult assignments, learn new writing skills, and keep up with all of their obligations. It can be a good idea, during these times, to encourage the student to consider using an essay writing service. The student should be told that these services provide custom essay writing to busy students. If they know they can get extra assistance in emergencies they may be less likely to consider giving up.

Christi Jones is an award-winning writer, editor, and writing instructor. She has several years of professional writing and editing experience, a strong background in grammar and composition.