Why do students drop out of college?
Learn why it happens and how you can support your students
Download our whitepaper to find out how you can support students when they’re facing issues such as family commitments, financial pressures, medical problems and disabilities, just to name a few.
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Why do people drop out of college?
When something gets in the way of the learning process, individuals feel stressed and unmotivated.
The same can be said for graduating college; it isn't supposed to be easy, but the US graduation rate is just 65%.
Why put in all the effort if it never gets any easier or clearer? Learners are often pulled into a cycle of diminishing returns like this and this is why the college dropout rate is so high.
Learning is a rewarding experience because over time, students see the effort they’ve spent on something has resulted in improved performance, knowledge, or understanding.
However, there are some students that face a range of different learning barriers which prevent them from completing their studies.
These include factors such as family commitments, financial pressures, medical problems and disabilities, just to name a few.
Mental health challenges
One of the key factors that causes students to drop out of college is mental health challenges. College can be a challenging time for many, both academically and personally, which causes many students to experience high levels of stress and anxiety.
This can lead to poor academic performance because they are finding it difficult to focus on their studies, stay motivated and manage their time effectively. The cycle is created, where poor performance leads to more stress and burnout.
Other barriers affecting the college dropout rate
In addition to mental health challenges, there are a range of other academic and personal barriers that can contribute to the dropout cycle such as poor study skills, and lack of support from family and friends.
Also, financial challenges may mean that some students need to work alongside their courses to pay the bills, reducing time spent on studying.
How can you help your students?
Download our whitepaper to discover not just why students drop out of college, but how you can give them every chance of completing their studies.
Also, learn more about how the mental health crisis, underdeveloped study skills, and a post-pandemic transition are pulling learners into the dreaded dropout cycle.