What happens to self-esteem and achievement if academic transitions are not properly supported?

• A. They can be affected negatively
• B. They always improve
• C. They remain unchanged
• D. They become irrelevant

Answer: (A)

When students move into a new grade, school, or program, their routines, social ties, and expectations shift. If these transitions aren’t supported, that uncertainty can erode a student’s sense of competence and belonging, which undermines self-esteem. With lower confidence in their abilities, motivation and persistence often drop, making it harder to engage with new content, keep up with coursework, and meet higher or different demands. That combination tends to slow progress and lower achievement. Providing structured orientation, counseling, academic planning, and opportunities to connect with peers helps stabilize both how students view themselves and how they perform academically, reducing the negative impact of transition. Since unsupported transitions commonly lead to less confidence and poorer performance rather than improvements, unchanged states, irrelevance, or guaranteed gains aren’t the typical outcome.