Title: Reaching the unreachable: Why 85% of struggling students never ask for help | Genio URL Source: https://genio.co/blog/reaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help Published Time: 2026-08-04T13:46:35.000Z Markdown Content: [Skip to main menu](https://genio.co/blog/reaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help#main-menu)[Skip to footer](https://genio.co/blog/reaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help#footer) * [Sign in](https://app.genio.co/account/sign-in) * [Get started for free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free) * [Activate a licence](https://app.genio.co/notes/activate)(opens in a new tab) [](https://genio.co/) * For Institutions * For Students * For Assessors * Resources * About Genio [Watch a demo](https://genio.co/watch-demo) [Genio for Accommodations](https://genio.co/institutions/accommodations)Genio for Accommodations ![Image 1: Resellers toolkit icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_studying%20mh%20challenge.svg) Genio for Accommodations Give every student the note taking accommodation they need with Genio [Genio for Student Success](https://genio.co/institutions/student-success)Genio for Student Success ![Image 2: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Genio for Student Success Provide Genio to every student to drive retention and persistence [ROI calculator | Accommodations](https://genio.co/pricing/roi-calculator)ROI calculator | Accommodations ![Image 3: ROI calculator for Accommodations icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_balancing%20work.svg) ROI calculator | Accommodations See the savings Genio delivers versus traditional accommodation support [ROI calculator | Student Success](https://genio.co/resources/roi-calculator)ROI calculator | Student Success ![Image 4: ROI calculator for Student Success icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_our%20mission.png) ROI calculator | Student Success Calculate the impact of institution-wide access to Genio on retention and grades [Pricing | Accommodations packages](https://genio.co/pricing/institutions)Pricing | Accommodations packages ![Image 5: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) Pricing | Accommodations packages Compare Genio's packages and find the right solution for your Department [Pricing | Institution Wide package](https://genio.co/pricing/institution-wide)Pricing | Institution Wide package ![Image 6: Institution Wide package icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/faculty-support-icon.svg) Pricing | Institution Wide package Give every student at your institution access to Genio Enter search term Search [Success Stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Success Stories ![Image 7: Case studies and user stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/case-studies-icon.svg) Success Stories See how institutions like yours are using Genio to improve outcomes [Genio Accreditation Hub](https://genio.co/about/research-accreditation-hub)Genio Accreditation Hub ![Image 8: Genio Accreditation Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_research%20accreditations.png) Genio Accreditation Hub Explore the certifications demonstrating Genio's positive impact on learning outcomes [Genio for Students](https://genio.co/solutions/students)Genio for Students ![Image 9: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Genio for Students Note taking and presentation tools that unlock better learning during your studies [Get Genio Free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free)Get Genio Free ![Image 10: Get Genio Free icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_get%20genio%20free.png) Get Genio Free Check if you can access to Genio through your institution or government programs [Pricing plans](https://genio.co/pricing/individuals)Pricing plans ![Image 11: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) Pricing plans Find the Genio plan that fits your study needs [Learner stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Learner stories ![Image 12: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Learner stories Read how other students use Genio to stay engaged and succeed [Free student resources](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides/free-student-resources)Free student resources ![Image 13: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Free student resources Download free guides and tools to help you study smarter [Genio Notes app](https://genio.co/notes/notes-mobile)Genio Notes app ![Image 14: genio mobile icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/genio%20mobile%20icon.png) Genio Notes app Take your notes wherever you go with the Genio Notes mobile app Enter search term Search [Assessors and partners toolkit](https://genio.co/resources/assessors-toolkit)Assessors and partners toolkit ![Image 15: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Assessors and partners toolkit Access the guides and resources you need to assess and support learners with Genio [Resellers toolkit](https://genio.co/reseller-toolkit)Resellers toolkit ![Image 16: Resellers toolkit icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_studying%20mh%20challenge.svg) Resellers toolkit Everything you need to introduce and sell Genio to your customers [Request a demo account](https://genio.co/solutions/recommend-genio/demonstrator-account)Request a demo account ![Image 17: Request a demo account icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/give-glean-to-students-icon.svg) Request a demo account Get hands-on with Genio before recommending it to your learners [Book a training session](https://genio.co/book-assessor-training)Book a training session ![Image 18: Events and webinars icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/events-icon.svg) Book a training session Get your team up to speed with hands-on Genio training [Genio for Professionals](https://genio.co/solutions/recommend-genio/genio-for-professionals)Genio for Professionals ![Image 19: Careers icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/careers-icon.svg) Genio for Professionals Increase your productivity in the workplace with Genio Enter search term Search ###### Explore [Product and Feature Hub](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides)Product and Feature Hub ![Image 20: Product and feature guides icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/video_guides-icon-01.svg) Product and Feature Hub Explore everything Genio's note taking and presentation tools can do [AI Hub](https://genio.co/ai-hub)AI Hub ![Image 21: AI Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/about-us-icon.svg) AI Hub Discover how Genio uses AI to support learning, responsibly [Accessibility and Compliance Hub](https://genio.co/resources/compliance-and-accessibility)Accessibility and Compliance Hub ![Image 22: Accessibility and Compliance Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_learning%20accessible.svg) Accessibility and Compliance Hub See how Genio helps you meet accessibility standards and legal requirements [STEM Hub](https://genio.co/stem-hub)STEM Hub ![Image 23: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) STEM Hub See how Genio supports students studying STEM subjects [Security Hub](https://genio.co/security)Security Hub ![Image 24: Security Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/it-icon.svg) Security Hub Learn how Genio keeps your institution's data safe and compliant Enter search term Search ###### Browse [Events and webinars](https://genio.co/resources/events-and-webinars)Events and webinars ![Image 25: Events and webinars icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/events-icon.svg) Events and webinars [Case studies and user stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Case studies and user stories ![Image 26: Case studies and user stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/case-studies-icon.svg) Case studies and user stories [Blog](https://genio.co/blog)Blog ![Image 27: Blog icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/blog-icon.svg) Blog [Research and insights](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights)Research and insights ![Image 28: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Research and insights [Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders](https://genio.co/resources/learning-outcomes-leaders-podcast)Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders ![Image 29: Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders](https://genio.co/hubfs/mic.png) Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders [Help center](https://help.genio.co/)Help center ![Image 30: Help center icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/customer-support-icon.svg) Help center [About us](https://genio.co/about)About us ![Image 31: About us icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/Genio%20website%20favicon%20300x300.svg) About us Learn who we are and why we build Genio [Careers](https://genio.co/about/careers)Careers ![Image 32: Careers icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/careers-icon.svg) Careers Explore open roles and join the team building Genio [Our Brand Story](https://genio.co/about/our-brand-story)Our Brand Story ![Image 33: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Our Brand Story Discover how Genio has evolved and where we're headed [Life at Genio](https://genio.co/about/careers/life-at-genio)Life at Genio ![Image 34: Life at Genio icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_faculty%20staff.svg) Life at Genio See what it's actually like to work at Genio [Contact us](https://genio.co/contact)Contact us ![Image 35: Contact us icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/contact-us-icon.svg) Contact us Get in touch with the Genio team Enter search term Search [Home](https://genio.co/) * [Sign in](https://app.genio.co/account/sign-in) * [Get started for free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free) * [Activate a licence](https://app.genio.co/notes/activate) * [Watch a demo](https://genio.co/watch-demo) Enter search term Search * For Institutions * [Genio for Accommodations](https://genio.co/institutions/accommodations)Genio for Accommodations![Image 36: Resellers toolkit icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_studying%20mh%20challenge.svg) Genio for Accommodations Give every student the note taking accommodation they need with Genio [Genio for Student Success](https://genio.co/institutions/student-success)Genio for Student Success![Image 37: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Genio for Student Success Provide Genio to every student to drive retention and persistence [ROI calculator | Accommodations](https://genio.co/pricing/roi-calculator)ROI calculator | Accommodations![Image 38: ROI calculator for Accommodations icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_balancing%20work.svg) ROI calculator | Accommodations See the savings Genio delivers versus traditional accommodation support [ROI calculator | Student Success](https://genio.co/resources/roi-calculator)ROI calculator | Student Success![Image 39: ROI calculator for Student Success icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_our%20mission.png) ROI calculator | Student Success Calculate the impact of institution-wide access to Genio on retention and grades [Pricing | Accommodations packages](https://genio.co/pricing/institutions)Pricing | Accommodations packages![Image 40: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) Pricing | Accommodations packages Compare Genio's packages and find the right solution for your Department [Pricing | Institution Wide package](https://genio.co/pricing/institution-wide)Pricing | Institution Wide package![Image 41: Institution Wide package icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/faculty-support-icon.svg) Pricing | Institution Wide package Give every student at your institution access to Genio * [Success Stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Success Stories![Image 42: Case studies and user stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/case-studies-icon.svg) Success Stories See how institutions like yours are using Genio to improve outcomes [Genio Accreditation Hub](https://genio.co/about/research-accreditation-hub)Genio Accreditation Hub![Image 43: Genio Accreditation Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_research%20accreditations.png) Genio Accreditation Hub Explore the certifications demonstrating Genio's positive impact on learning outcomes * For Students * [Genio for Students](https://genio.co/solutions/students)Genio for Students![Image 44: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Genio for Students Note taking and presentation tools that unlock better learning during your studies [Get Genio Free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free)Get Genio Free![Image 45: Get Genio Free icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/icon_get%20genio%20free.png) Get Genio Free Check if you can access to Genio through your institution or government programs [Pricing plans](https://genio.co/pricing/individuals)Pricing plans![Image 46: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) Pricing plans Find the Genio plan that fits your study needs [Learner stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Learner stories![Image 47: Learner stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/the_glean_study_tool_Icon.svg) Learner stories Read how other students use Genio to stay engaged and succeed [Free student resources](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides/free-student-resources)Free student resources![Image 48: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Free student resources Download free guides and tools to help you study smarter [Genio Notes app](https://genio.co/notes/notes-mobile)Genio Notes app![Image 49: genio mobile icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/genio%20mobile%20icon.png) Genio Notes app Take your notes wherever you go with the Genio Notes mobile app * For Assessors * [Assessors and partners toolkit](https://genio.co/resources/assessors-toolkit)Assessors and partners toolkit![Image 50: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Assessors and partners toolkit Access the guides and resources you need to assess and support learners with Genio [Resellers toolkit](https://genio.co/reseller-toolkit)Resellers toolkit![Image 51: Resellers toolkit icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_studying%20mh%20challenge.svg) Resellers toolkit Everything you need to introduce and sell Genio to your customers [Request a demo account](https://genio.co/solutions/recommend-genio/demonstrator-account)Request a demo account![Image 52: Request a demo account icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/give-glean-to-students-icon.svg) Request a demo account Get hands-on with Genio before recommending it to your learners [Book a training session](https://genio.co/book-assessor-training)Book a training session![Image 53: Events and webinars icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/events-icon.svg) Book a training session Get your team up to speed with hands-on Genio training [Genio for Professionals](https://genio.co/solutions/recommend-genio/genio-for-professionals)Genio for Professionals![Image 54: Careers icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/careers-icon.svg) Genio for Professionals Increase your productivity in the workplace with Genio * Resources * [Product and Feature Hub](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides)Product and Feature Hub![Image 55: Product and feature guides icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/video_guides-icon-01.svg) Product and Feature Hub Explore everything Genio's note taking and presentation tools can do [AI Hub](https://genio.co/ai-hub)AI Hub![Image 56: AI Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/about-us-icon.svg) AI Hub Discover how Genio uses AI to support learning, responsibly [Accessibility and Compliance Hub](https://genio.co/resources/compliance-and-accessibility)Accessibility and Compliance Hub ![Image 57: Accessibility and Compliance Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_learning%20accessible.svg) Accessibility and Compliance Hub See how Genio helps you meet accessibility standards and legal requirements [STEM Hub](https://genio.co/stem-hub)STEM Hub![Image 58: STEM Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/roi-calculator-icon.svg) STEM Hub See how Genio supports students studying STEM subjects [Security Hub](https://genio.co/security)Security Hub![Image 59: Security Hub icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/it-icon.svg) Security Hub Learn how Genio keeps your institution's data safe and compliant * [Events and webinars](https://genio.co/resources/events-and-webinars)Events and webinars![Image 60: Events and webinars icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/events-icon.svg) Events and webinars [Case studies and user stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories)Case studies and user stories![Image 61: Case studies and user stories icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/case-studies-icon.svg) Case studies and user stories [Blog](https://genio.co/blog)Blog![Image 62: Blog icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/blog-icon.svg) Blog [Research and insights](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights)Research and insights![Image 63: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Research and insights [Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders](https://genio.co/resources/learning-outcomes-leaders-podcast)Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders![Image 64: Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders](https://genio.co/hubfs/mic.png) Genio Podcast: Learning Outcomes Leaders [Help center](https://help.genio.co/)Help center![Image 65: Help center icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/customer-support-icon.svg) Help center * About Genio * [About us](https://genio.co/about)About us![Image 66: About us icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/Genio%20website%20favicon%20300x300.svg) About us Learn who we are and why we build Genio [Careers](https://genio.co/about/careers)Careers![Image 67: Careers icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/careers-icon.svg) Careers Explore open roles and join the team building Genio [Our Brand Story](https://genio.co/about/our-brand-story)Our Brand Story![Image 68: Our Brand Story icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/guides-icon.svg) Our Brand Story Discover how Genio has evolved and where we're headed [Life at Genio](https://genio.co/about/careers/life-at-genio)Life at Genio![Image 69: Life at Genio icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/megamenu%20icon_faculty%20staff.svg) Life at Genio See what it's actually like to work at Genio [Contact us](https://genio.co/contact)Contact us![Image 70: Contact us icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/menu-icons/contact-us-icon.svg) Contact us Get in touch with the Genio team * [Watch a demo](https://genio.co/watch-demo) 1. [Blogs](https://genio.co/blog) 2. [Supporting Students](https://genio.co/blog/tag/supporting-students) # Reaching the unreachable: Why 85% of struggling students never ask for help Struggling students often avoid seeking help but early alert systems often see them fall through the cracks. Is student dropout really an academic problem or can student success leaders do more to close the gap? ![Image 71: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 4 min read ![Image 72: Calendar](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/calender.svg)Published: 4 Aug 2026 ![Image 73: Author](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/author.svg)Jacob Goodwin ![Image 74: Reaching the unreachable: Why 85% of struggling students never ask for help](https://genio.co/hubfs/BLOG_uni%20survival%20tips%20THUMB.png) ![Image 75: ID badge, map, compass and satchel](https://genio.co/hubfs/BLOG_uni%20survival%20tips%20HERO.png) **Key takeaways:** * 85% of students experiencing academic challenges won't seek help, even when they know support exists. * Early alert systems catch students who are visibly failing. They miss the "murky middle," (students with a 2.0-3.0 GPA) who are quietly struggling. * 45% of students who leave in their first two years do so because of what they learn about their own academic ability. * First-gen students, working students, and student parents all drop out at disproportionately higher rates after the same academic setback. * Closing this gap means finding a way to reach students before they disengage, not after. * * * ## Why don't struggling students ask for help? Picture a sophomore at a community college. She's carrying 12 credit hours, working 28 hours a week, and looking after her younger sibling two evenings a week. She's falling behind in two of her four classes. She's tired, she's worried, and she hasn't told anyone. She won't book an advising appointment, because that would mean admitting out loud that she's struggling. Not that she could make it anyway. She works during every advising office hour. She won't get flagged by an early alert system either, because on paper, she's fine: 2.8 GPA, not failing, not thriving, attending every class. She's flying under the radar. Not because institutions aren’t watching, but because support systems are built to catch a different kind of student. This is the reality for 85% of students experiencing academic challenges. They know support exists. They simply won't ask for it. [](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights/cost-of-student-churn-report) ## Why do early alert systems miss the students who need help most? Early alert systems are designed to catch students who are visibly failing. Those who are missing class, failing assessments, falling behind on tuition. That's a real and necessary function but it leaves an enormous gap. [EAB](https://eab.com/resources/whitepaper/the-murky-middle-project/) refers to this 2.0-3.0 GPA band as the "murky middle." These are students who attend, who try, who never trigger a flag, and who won't respond to proactive outreach even when it reaches them. [Research from College Board](https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/The%20Consequences%20of%20a%20Low%20First-Year%20Grade%20Point%20Average%20on%20Later%20College%20Outcomes.pdf) backs this up, showing that 21% of students with a 2.5-3.0 GPA still drop out. This is where retention strategy quietly becomes an equity problem too. First-gen students are [5% more likely to drop out](https://www.nber.org/papers/w34129) after a grade setback than their peers facing the same event. Working students are [20% less likely to complete their degree](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23328584221140410). [61% of student fathers drop out](https://hechingerreport.org/largely-unseen-and-unsupported-huge-numbers-of-student-fathers-are-quitting-college/). Same academic event, disproportionate outcome, and none of it visible to a system built to flag GPA. Colleges are already investing heavily in advising infrastructure and early alert tools. The question isn't whether that investment is working. It's who it was ever designed to reach. Students who most need support are the least likely to enter the system at all, which means no amount of advisor capacity solves this on its own. ## Is student dropout really an academic problem? [Research from Stinebrickner and Stinebrickner](https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/675308) found that 45% of dropout in the first two years of college comes down to what students learn about their own academic performance, not because they're actually failing their classes. That distinction matters for how institutions think about retention and persistence. A student in the murky middle isn't dropping out because the material is too hard. They're dropping out because they’ve started to believe they don't belong, and no one has given them a reason to think otherwise. Students don't avoid support because they don't know it exists. Every institution has a website, an advising office, a support line. They avoid it because asking for help feels like admitting failure, and for a first-gen student or one who's already stretched thin, that admission can feel like proof they don't belong here at all. ## What would it take to reach these struggling students? Not another alert. Not another outreach campaign asking a student to respond. The research points to something more specific; a moment where a student can engage on their own terms, without first having to admit they need help. [Research from Goemans and Kapinos](https://files.eric.ed.gov/ful%EE%80%80ltext/EJ1429671.pdf) found that students with even one academic advising touchpoint persist at an 18 percentage point higher rate. That's a meaningful number, but it raises the harder question every VP of Student Success has probably already asked: how do you create that touchpoint for a student who won't book an appointment, won't respond to outreach, and won't walk into an office during the hours it's open? It's not a caseload problem. Advisors can't manufacture that moment at scale for students who were never going to raise their hand in the first place. It has to happen somewhere else, on the student's terms, before they’ve decided they don't belong. ## What does closing the gap look like in practice? A number of institutions have started to see what happens when students in the murky middle get a low-stakes way to engage, one that doesn't ask them to declare they're struggling first. At [Volunteer State Community College](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories/volunteer-state-community-college-case-study), 1,150 students became visible to their student services team in a single semester, simply by using Genio Notes that didn't require them to ask for anything. At [SUNY Canton](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories/suny-canton-case-study), students who engaged this way saw a 169% greater GPA increase than those who didn't. [Genio's 2026 Learner Impact Report](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights/learner-impact-report-2026) found similar patterns among first-gen students and students already flagged as at-risk. The pattern across all of it is the same. The students who benefit most are the ones who were hardest to reach in the first place. ## Where does this leave student success leaders? Most retention infrastructure, early alert systems, advising appointments, outreach campaigns, is built around students who signal that they need help. That infrastructure is necessary, and it's not going anywhere. But it was never going to catch the 85% who don't signal. The real question isn't whether the current systems work for the students they were built for. It's what you're doing for the students who never show up in them at all. Closing that gap isn't about adding advising headcount or building a new support program from scratch. It's about finding a way to reach students before they disengage, not after, and it's a problem worth spending time on before it shows up in next year's completion numbers. [Reach more students with a learning tool proven to improve outcomes](https://genio.co/institutions/student-success) ## Share this blog Facebook [![Image 76](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Freaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) LinkedIn [![Image 77](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/linkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Freaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Twitter [![Image 78](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Freaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Email [![Image 79](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/email.svg)](mailto:?subject=Reaching+the+unreachable%3A+Why+85%25+of+struggling+students+never+ask+for+help&body=https%3A%2F%2Fgenio.co%2Fblog%2Freaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help%3Futm_campaign%3Dshare-links%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Dsocial) Copy [![Image 80](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/copy_link.svg)](https://genio.co/blog/reaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help) ![Image 81: Time for a simpler, smarter note taking accommodation?](https://genio.co/hubfs/cta_image.svg) ## **Time for a simpler, smarter note taking accommodation?** Genio Notes is the online note taking tool that makes compliance simple, reduces cost and admin burden, and improves student outcomes. [![Image 82: Learn More](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/24880982/edb6c600-e949-4a2c-983d-c7e2ecf6eec5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/24880982/edb6c600-e949-4a2c-983d-c7e2ecf6eec5) ## More from **Supporting Students** [View All](https://genio.co/blog/tag/supporting-students) [![Image 83: How to build learning platforms that people want to use with Josh Nesbitt](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Learning%20Outcomes%20Leaders%20Podcast%20Ep%20011%20with%20Josh%20Nesbitt%20thumb.png?width=450&name=Learning%20Outcomes%20Leaders%20Podcast%20Ep%20011%20with%20Josh%20Nesbitt%20thumb.png) ![Image 84: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) ### How to build learning platforms that people want to use with Josh Nesbitt Learning Outcomes Leaders Podcast | Ep 011](https://genio.co/blog/how-to-build-learning-platforms-that-people-want-to-use-with-josh-nesbitt)[![Image 85: How can colleges reach students who need help but won't ask for it?](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG_how%20to%20study%20better%20THUMB.png?width=450&name=BLOG_how%20to%20study%20better%20THUMB.png) ![Image 86: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) 4 min read ### How can colleges reach students who need help but won't ask for it? 85% of students experiencing academic challenges will not ask for help. Read why students hide their struggles, which cohorts are most at risk and how Genio Notes is helping institutions reach non-help-seeking students at scale without asking them to raise their hand.](https://genio.co/blog/how-can-colleges-reach-students-who-need-help-but-wont-ask-for-it)[![Image 87: How to balance disabled student support in the K-12 to higher education transition with Avery Cook](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Learning%20Outcomes%20Leaders%20Podcast%20Ep%20010%20with%20Avery%20Cook.png?width=450&name=Learning%20Outcomes%20Leaders%20Podcast%20Ep%20010%20with%20Avery%20Cook.png) ![Image 88: Clock](https://genio.co/hubfs/raw_assets/public/genio-2025/images/clock.svg) ### How to balance disabled student support in the K-12 to higher education transition with Avery Cook Learning Outcomes Leaders Podcast | Ep 010](https://genio.co/blog/how-to-balance-disabled-student-support-in-the-k-12-to-higher-education-transition-with-avery-cook) [View All](https://genio.co/blog/tag/supporting-students) [Genio logo - home](https://genio.co/) * Products * [Genio Notes](https://genio.co/notes) * [Genio Notes app](https://genio.co/notes/notes-mobile) * [The Confident Notetaker's Masterclass](https://genio.co/the-confident-notetakers-masterclass) * [Genio Present](https://genio.co/present) * [Genio Admin](https://genio.co/notes/genio-admin) * Pricing and plans * [For institutions](https://genio.co/pricing/institutions) * [Institution Wide package](https://genio.co/pricing/institution-wide) * [Individual user quote](https://cc.genio.co/genio-individual-user-quote-request) * [ROI calculator](https://genio.co/resources/roi-calculator) * [For individuals](https://genio.co/pricing/individuals) * [Get Genio Notes for free](https://genio.co/pricing/get-genio-free) * Why choose Genio * [Genio for institutions](https://genio.co/solutions/institutions) * [Genio for students](https://genio.co/solutions/students) * [Recommend Genio](https://genio.co/resources/assessors-toolkit) * Resources * [Blog](https://genio.co/blog) * [Events and webinars](https://genio.co/resources/events-and-webinars) * [Case studies and user stories](https://genio.co/resources/case-studies-and-user-stories) * [Product and feature guides](https://genio.co/resources/product-and-feature-guides) * [Research and insights](https://genio.co/resources/research-and-insights) * [Sign in](https://app.genio.co/account/sign-in) * About us * [About us](https://genio.co/about) * [Careers](https://genio.co/about/careers) * [Our Brand Story](https://genio.co/about/our-brand-story) * [Our history](https://genio.co/about/our-history) * [Research Accreditation Hub](https://genio.co/about/research-accreditation-hub) * [Media Kit](https://genio.co/about/media-kit) * Contact and support * [Get in touch](https://genio.co/contact) * [Help centre](https://help.genio.co/)Opens in a new tab * [Device compatibility](https://genio.co/specification) * [Service status](https://status.genio.co/)Opens in a new tab * [Visit us on our social](https://www.facebook.com/GenioLearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.instagram.com/geniolearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/geniolearn) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.youtube.com/@geniotools) * [Visit us on our social](https://www.tiktok.com/@geniolearn) * [![Image 89: Icon](https://genio.co/hs-fs/hubfs/website/vectors/Google_Play_Store_badge_EN.png?width=120&name=Google_Play_Store_badge_EN.png)Download app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.genio.notes) * [![Image 90: Icon](https://genio.co/hubfs/website/vectors/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)Download app](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/genio-notes/id6758772863) * [Privacy Notice](https://genio.co/privacy-notice) * [Service Agreement](https://genio.co/service-agreement) * [Accessibility Statement](https://genio.co/accessibility-statement) * [Data Security](https://genio.co/security) * [Third Party Licenses](https://genio.co/third-party-code-licenses) * [Cookie Preferences](https://genio.co/cookies) [](https://genio.co/blog/reaching-unreachable-85-struggling-students-never-ask-help)