Academic Progress
Academic Progress Review
An academic progress review is a one-to-one conversation between a student and a referent, tutor or teacher to look at how the studies are going: results, work habits, workload and motivation. It is not an exam and nothing is graded. Done well, it helps the student put words on what works and what does not, and it helps you offer the right support early. Here are the questions to ask, in the order that keeps the conversation relaxed.
18 questions
When to use this template
- At the middle and at the end of each term or semester, once the first results or assessments are known.
- When a student's results or participation have changed noticeably, in either direction.
- As a routine check for every student in a class, not only for those who ask for an appointment.
Questions to ask
Opening and general feeling
- 01How are your studies going at the moment, in your own words?
- 02What has gone best for you since the start of this term?
- 03What has been harder than you expected?
- 04How are you feeling about the rest of the year?
Results and understanding
- 05How do you feel about your latest results?
- 06Which subjects do you feel at ease with, and which ones less?
- 07When you do not understand something in class, what do you usually do?
- 08Did any assessment surprise you, positively or negatively?
Work habits and organisation
- 09How do you organise your week to study?
- 10Where and when do you work best?
- 11How do you prepare for an assessment?
- 12Do you find it easy to keep up with deadlines and assignments?
Workload and well-being
- 13How would you describe your workload at the moment?
- 14Do you have enough time to rest and to do things you enjoy?
- 15Is anything outside your studies making it harder to concentrate or to work?
Support and next steps
- 16Who do you turn to when you need help, and does that work for you?
- 17What kind of support would help you most right now?
- 18What is one thing you would like to improve before the next review?
Tips for a useful conversation
- Start by explaining that the conversation is not graded and that its purpose is to help, so the student can speak openly.
- Let the student speak first and ask for concrete examples, such as a particular subject or week, rather than general impressions.
- Celebrate what is going well before turning to difficulties: a student who feels recognised talks more easily about problems.
- End with one or two realistic actions the student chooses themselves, and agree when you will look at them together.
- If a student mentions serious difficulties, such as distress, health problems or money worries, do not try to solve everything alone: refer them to the institution's support services, such as the counselling, health or social service.
Mistakes to avoid
- Turning the review into a lecture about results instead of listening.
- Comparing the student with classmates or with previous cohorts.
- Promising solutions or favours that you cannot guarantee.
- Holding the conversation once and never coming back to what was agreed.
Let Passisto Students hold these conversations
The AI agent holds regular voice check-ins with your students and flags those who need help, so advisors can act early.