Identifying Students that Need Assistance

The Demanding Passive Student

Typically, even the utmost time and energy given to these students is not enough.  They often seek to control your time and believe the amount of time received is a reflection of their worth. You may find yourself increasingly drained and feeling overly-responsible for this student. The demanding passive student may:

• Have difficulty making everyday decisions
• Need an excessive amount of reassurance, advice, nurturance and/or support
• Need others to assume more than their share of responsibility
• Have difficulty initiating projects or working independently
• Consistently lack self-confidence in her/his judgment and abilities

Do:

• Let the student make her/his decisions.
• Set firm and clear limits on your personal time and involvement.
• Offer referrals with other sources of support, both on campus and in the community
• Set a time limit on your discussions with the student.

Don’t:

• Get trapped into giving advice.
• Give special considerations (e.g., frequent extensions on assignment deadlines).
• Avoid the student as an alternative to setting and enforcing limits and boundaries.