From my personal experience, I know that underachieving students may have faced negative experiences that impact their self-esteem and motivation. When I was in school, I was a good student until 10th grade, but my grades went down in 11th and 12th. Some of my teachers were not very kind to me and made hurtful comments like "I'm absent-minded," "I'm not smart enough for science," and "I should have taken commerce." My physics teacher asked me to stand up and answer a question that I didn't know in front of the class, and then he made fun of my pronunciation. The whole class laughed at me. Even years later, I still feel the impact of those experiences and feel scared to speak up in group settings.
In order to help underachieving students, it's important to be patient, kind, and understanding. We should encourage students for their efforts, even if they haven't achieved the desired results yet, as it can motivate them to continue working towards their goals. Noticing any small things they do well, such as paying attention or participating in class, offering extra help, and praising their hard work, can also help build their confidence. We need to create a supportive learning environment where they feel safe to ask questions and make mistakes.