Beating the Mid-Term Dip: 5 Ways To Support Learners Through the Toughest Stretch of the School Year

4 Nov

By Soraya Saber

As the school year settles in, many learners begin to lose the initial momentum that carried them through the first few weeks. Energy fades, routines feel heavier, and academic pressure increases. Teachers and tutors often notice students becoming tired, disengaged, or even absent more often. This period is sometimes called the “mid-term dip.”

According to YoungMinds, this is also a time when many young people begin to feel greater mental health pressures. But with the right support, these dips don’t have to set learners back.

For tutors, teachers, and parents, this mid-point in the term is a pivotal time to step in with extra support, to build resilience, plug knowledge gaps, and keep learners motivated through this challenging stretch.

Here are five practical, tutoring-focused ways to support learners through the toughest part of the school year.

1. Spot early warning signs of disengagement

Educators often see first-hand when students begin to lose focus. A learner may be quieter or more withdrawn than usual, show gaps in previously secure knowledge, or find it harder to stay on task. These subtle changes are important to notice early, as they can sometimes indicate underlying factors affecting wellbeing or access to learning.

What you can do as an educator:

Keep notes after each session about concentration levels, effort, and attendance.
Share concerns early with parents and the school to prevent a bigger decline.
Encourage parents or guardians to maintain steady routines (sleep, meals, homework) to support school readiness.

By recognising and responding with care, educators can create space for support, understanding, and renewed confidence, helping every learner stay connected and make meaningful progress.

2. Use scaffolded “catch-up” tuition

As lessons move faster and workloads increase, even small learning gaps can start to widen. For many pupils, this is when confidence begins to dip.

One-to-one tuition can be the ideal setting to pause, revisit tricky topics, and rebuild understanding before those gaps become barriers. At Equal Education, we see every day how personalised tuition nurtures both learning and wellbeing. One of our students, Michaela, said, “I like our relationship and that we can talk about English but other things too.” With the trust and consistency built with her tutors, she gained confidence, stayed engaged, and went on to pass her Functional Skills English exams with excellent grades. One-to-one tuition isn’t just about academic progress, it’s about creating a safe, supportive space where learners feel heard, encouraged, and ready to thrive

What you can do as an educator or parent:

Start sessions with a short recap of previous learning to strengthen memory and recall.
Break larger tasks into smaller, achievable steps to reduce overwhelm and build confidence gradually.
Use quizzes to identify specific areas where support is needed.
Regularly celebrate small wins and share mini progress updates with parents/carers.
For learners with SEND, tailor tuition using visual aids, multi-sensory techniques, and plenty of positive reinforcement.

3. Prioritise wellbeing alongside academics

Academic dips and wellbeing are closely linked. When children don’t feel happy, safe, or supported, it affects how well they learn and falling behind can reduce confidence whilst increasing stress and anxiety. Mental health difficulties among children and young people have risen across most age groups in the UK and are now at levels that cause concern (Centre for Mental Health, 2024).

With the right support and consistency, even anxious learners can regain confidence and enjoy learning again. One of our students, Winston, struggled with severe anxiety at school, but through tailored one-to-one tuition with his tutor, Freddie, he is now thriving in GCSE revision and even rates his lessons 10 out of 10. Winston’s story shows what we see across our tuition programmes: patient, empathetic tuition helps learners rebuild both confidence and a love of learning.

What you can do as an educator:

Start each session with a simple check-in, like “What’s one good thing that happened this week?”
Praise effort, not just results - this builds resilience and confidence.
Use short brain breaks, mindfulness, or breathing exercises to help calm and refocus.
Share resources from organisations such as Place2Be or YoungMinds for advice and activities.

4. Strengthen relationships and mentoring

Having a trusted adult who listens, encourages, and believes in them can make a huge difference to a child’s confidence and engagement. Strong, supportive relationships help learners feel valued and safe, and that sense of connection often leads to better focus and motivation.

Tutors are in a unique position to build these relationships. One-to-one sessions allow time to understand a learner’s strengths, challenges, and interests. A consistent, caring presence can rebuild trust for pupils who may have struggled in larger classroom settings or felt overlooked.

What you can do as an educator:

Keep sessions predictable and calm - routine helps learners feel secure.
Set small, achievable goals and celebrate when they’re met.
Give specific, positive feedback such as “You worked really hard on that problem today. I can see your confidence growing.”

5. Re-energise learning with novelty and choice

When routines start to feel repetitive, adding creativity and choice can reignite curiosity. Giving children a sense of ownership over how they learn builds engagement and confidence.

“All seems to be going well and Kaylen engages well with his tutor. She really understands his interests and incorporates those into his learning, which is a big hit. We are fully satisfied with the tuition he is receiving - thanks so much to all the team!”
— Parent of an Equal Education pupil

Kaylen’s story reflects what we see across many of our tuition programmes: when tutors take time to understand a child’s passions and learning style, lessons become more meaningful and enjoyable. Whether it’s weaving a love of football into reading or using creative problem-solving to build maths confidence, connecting learning to a child’s world helps them stay engaged and excited about progress.

What you can do as an educator or parent:

Try quiz games, flashcards, or problem-solving challenges to make revision engaging.
Link work to a learner’s interests, for example, reading football match reports or music lyrics.
Offer choices between two activities to build a sense of control.
Share enrichment resources from organisations such as BBC Bitesize or the National Literacy Trust for at-home practice.

Final Thoughts

The mid-term dip is real! However, it doesn’t have to define the school year. Tutors, teachers, parents, and carers can work together to provide scaffolding, celebrate progress, and support wellbeing. By noticing early warning signs and taking practical steps, we can help learners not just survive the tougher parts of the year, but thrive beyond them.

Wellbeing & Mental Health Resources for Tutors, Teachers & Parents