Why School Feels So Hard for Some Kids — and What Might Actually Help

Let’s be real: school can feel really hard. Not just for students — but for their families too. Maybe your child is bright, kind, creative... and yet, every morning is a battle. Homework drags on for hours. Assignments are “forgotten.” Their marks don’t reflect what they’re capable of. And you’re left wondering: Why is this so difficult?

Here’s the thing — it’s not about laziness, lack of motivation, or not caring. For many students, the real challenge is something we don’t talk about nearly enough: executive functioning.

So... what is executive functioning?

Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that help us manage time, stay organised, start tasks, stay focused, and regulate emotions. Basically, it’s the brain’s “management system.”

When these skills are shaky (which is super common in kids with ADHD, and even those without a diagnosis), school becomes more than just challenging — it can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and downright unmanageable.

What does executive dysfunction look like at school?

It might look like:

• An overflowing backpack with no idea where the maths worksheet went

• “I’ll do it later” turning into “I forgot I even had that assignment”

• Avoiding work, then panicking the night before it’s due

• Struggling to plan out steps for a project — or even start at all

• Big emotions around schoolwork that lead to meltdowns or shutdowns

And on the outside? It can come across as procrastination, defiance, laziness, or lack of effort.
But what’s really going on is that their brain is working so hard just to keep up — and they don’t yet have the tools to manage it all.

So what actually helps?

That’s where executive function coaching comes in.

Coaching gives students a chance to learn how to manage school — not just academically, but emotionally too. Together, we work on things like:

• Planning and prioritising tasks

• Breaking assignments into manageable steps

• Managing time (and those sneaky distractions)

• Building routines and systems that work for them

• Developing emotional regulation tools and self-confidence

It’s not about making them into someone they’re not. It’s about unlocking the skills they do have and helping them use them in a way that works for their brain.

The bottom line?

If school feels like a struggle — for your child or your whole family — you’re not alone. There’s a reason it feels so hard. And there is a way to make it easier.

Executive function coaching can help your child build the tools they need to feel more confident, more capable, and (dare I say it) even start to enjoy school again — or enjoy it even more.

Curious about how coaching could help your child? Book a free info call — I’d love to chat.