<p>In the university in which I teach our "terms" are 10 weeks' long.&nbsp; I have been contacting students who are not progressing as is expected weekly.&nbsp; These contacts are via telephone.&nbsp; During the contact we discuss what may be happening in the student's personal life that might be interfering with school.&nbsp; Then I ask the student what he or she might be able to do to "fix" that to the extent it does not interfere with school.&nbsp; I am wondering whether anybody has any suggestions as to a different or perhaps better approach.&nbsp; Thanks!</p>