CRITIQUE OF CONTEMPORARY DECLINING STUDENTS RESILIENCE: A SIGNAL TO LACK OF INITIATIVE AND PRODUCTIVITY Ifeoma Nnaemeka* Abstract Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress such as family (sudden loss of a loved one), relationship problems, and a serious health challenge. Resilient individuals are able to successfully adapt to the associated stress that comes with education. Using the method of critical analysis, the researcher finds out that, the cause of lack of initiative and productivity in students is traceable to decline in students’ resilience. The ability of students to cope with the inevitable challenges of life has significant implications for both their well-being and academic success. The researcher therefore, recommends that students must not only survive setbacks and challenges but also, learn how to thrive in the face of adversity. Parents and teachers should also develop strategies to reposition students for a better academic performance. Keywords: Resilience, Decline, Initiative, Multi-dimensional, Productivity, Adversity Introduction Academic resilience is the ability to overcome academic setbacks, stress and study pressure associated with school as manifested by internal and external protective factors (Storer, Cychosz, Licklider, 1995). Decline in resilience is multi- dimensional in nature which encompasses various domains