Did you know that almost 50% of college students never make it to graduation? This is a more than double the dropout rate from the'60's, although more students than ever are enrolling and getting accepted every year. Why the massive rate of attrition? Escalating tuition costs in an inflated economy, along with a high unemployment rate must take a lion's share of the blame, but there are other reasons. For example:
1. Social pressure. Living away from home for the first time can be a problem. Some students thrive in such a challenge, but for others, the desire to go back to the familiar is sometimes too hard to resist. As for those who thrive in a new environment, one that's free from parental scrutiny, sometimes they are a bit too sociable to be able to do well in class. In both cases, dropout is the result.
2. Academic pressure: Some students can't handle the level of intensity at the college level compared to high school. Another factor that contributes to the dropout rate is if the college you've enrolled in doesn't turn out to be a good fit once you get there. Sometimes students like the idea of a big campus until they actually try to learn in the midst of 100 other students in the lecture hall, for example. What if you study for a while and decide to change your major and the college doesn't offer it?
3. Who is there to turn to? You never really had to wonder about that while in high school because there was a guidance counselor assigned to you, likely right under the same roof as all of your classes. College can be a different matter. If you find yourself overwhelmed, either socially or academically, it's important to know who to go to before you get too stressed out.
4. If you need to work, try to do so during the summers and on weekends only. If you must work during the academic year, do not do so for more than 20 hours a week. Many students end up dropping out simply because they need to work and can't keep up with their studies.
Your future is as vast as your ability to dream. And, as you've just read, your ability to prepare for rough patches will probably factor in from time to time as well. Dropping out isn't always the answer when things get tough, so try to cope as best you can and stay on the course that you have set for yourself. - 30224
1. Social pressure. Living away from home for the first time can be a problem. Some students thrive in such a challenge, but for others, the desire to go back to the familiar is sometimes too hard to resist. As for those who thrive in a new environment, one that's free from parental scrutiny, sometimes they are a bit too sociable to be able to do well in class. In both cases, dropout is the result.
2. Academic pressure: Some students can't handle the level of intensity at the college level compared to high school. Another factor that contributes to the dropout rate is if the college you've enrolled in doesn't turn out to be a good fit once you get there. Sometimes students like the idea of a big campus until they actually try to learn in the midst of 100 other students in the lecture hall, for example. What if you study for a while and decide to change your major and the college doesn't offer it?
3. Who is there to turn to? You never really had to wonder about that while in high school because there was a guidance counselor assigned to you, likely right under the same roof as all of your classes. College can be a different matter. If you find yourself overwhelmed, either socially or academically, it's important to know who to go to before you get too stressed out.
4. If you need to work, try to do so during the summers and on weekends only. If you must work during the academic year, do not do so for more than 20 hours a week. Many students end up dropping out simply because they need to work and can't keep up with their studies.
Your future is as vast as your ability to dream. And, as you've just read, your ability to prepare for rough patches will probably factor in from time to time as well. Dropping out isn't always the answer when things get tough, so try to cope as best you can and stay on the course that you have set for yourself. - 30224
About the Author:
Mike Mower dropped out of college twice before winning an academic scholarship and earning an online degree.
