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by Leila
We all know that getting a higher education can be difficult. It’s not just the studies that give students headaches.
Those who begin their freshman year often find it hard to adapt to the culture of college, and it does not take long for them to start dropping out in big numbers.
Here are 7 reasons why college students drop out.
1. Not Enough Financial Support
Many students suffer because they don’t have a stable financial support system which can help them through their studies.
A common reason students give for leaving school is that they have to work and go to college at the same time. Having to work in order to pay for tuition and school books can put them under a lot of strain, and they feel that there just aren’t enough hours in the day for them to complete all their tasks.
However, with proper planning and a healthy dose of will power, they can finish college.
2. Not Able To Balance Work And Leisure
Students can get drained because of the heavy pressures they have to face. Not knowing how to properly balance their responsibilities as a student with their social life is the main culprit.
Social gatherings at campus are a part of the college experience, and some get so distracted with parties and socializing that their work starts to suffer. Their grades go down and they start to fail exams. This can be a downward spiral that eventually leads to them dropping out or being thrown out.
Others may be very comfortable with the heavy workload. They will pass their tests, deliver their assignments on time and ace their presentations. But, their social life may be limited and they find it hard to fit in. This can lead them to become depressed and unhappy at college, and dropping out because they don’t think it’s worth the pain.
Knowing how to balance work and play is essential for getting through college. Share on X3. Family Crisis
Some students quit due to family crises, disputes or illness.
Having to take care of a sick family member, experiencing the death of a loved one, seeing your parents go through a divorce, being evicted from the home are just some challenges that students may face.
This causes extreme stress on a student who is already drained by the college demands.
4. Hazing And Bullying
Senior students especially love to pick on the newcomers.
For some, the hazing is a rite of passage and tradition. A way to “welcome” the freshmen, introduce them to the campus culture and get to know them. For others, it is a way to pull rank and “show them who is the boss”.
Either way, being subjected to this hazing can be uncomfortable for the new students, and sometimes the initiations are way out of line and closer to bullying.
Bullying is usually in a different category than hazing. Social exclusion, ignoring the person as well as name calling and violence can all be a part of bullying. This can last for the duration of college, for a short time, or it can come and go.
The main difference between hazing and bullying is in the intent. While one seeks to welcome the newcomers (in a sometimes unpleasant way), the other clearly wants to do the opposite. Both may cause students to quit to avoid the unwanted attention.
5. Not A Fit Choice
Many students work hard to get into college, not knowing if college is really right for them.
Even though we are being told, repeatedly, that we should all go to college, get a degree and then get a job, this might not be for everyone.
If you expect to get hired and make a career in a specific field, then college is necessary. Good grades and a degree from a reputable college are a great asset when trying to land the dream job.
After all, most of the potential employers you are going to meet, don’t really know you. And before they hire you, they’ll want proof that you really can do the job, and a degree proves it.
If you want to start your own company and be your own boss, not having a degree will not hurt you as much. Education may still be necessary, but a degree optional. You can learn whatever you need on your own. Students that realize this can be tempted to drop out.
6. Choosing The Wrong Major Or College
Students often struggle in choosing their major or college.
Their friends are going off to one college and they may be tempted to join them, instead of following their heart and choosing what they really want.
Sometimes students are pressured by those at home to choose a particular area of study, like the medical field because someone in their family is a doctor.
If students give in to family or peer pressure when selecting a college or major, then the chances of them quitting are even higher. Share on X7. Early Marriage Or Pregnancy
Girls that get pregnant and couples that get married while still in college, have a greater risk of dropping out.
Taking care of a child and running a household is tough enough. If you are also studying full time it can be too much to handle.
In these cases, students usually postpone a semester or two and comeback later. But if their motivation fails and they have no one to support them, they might not come back at all.
Last Words
Take your time in selecting your college and major. And make sure you don’t fold to pressure from family and friends.
The time, money and effort you spend on college should not be wasted on trying to live someone else's life. Share on XIt is an investment that you make in your own future, in the life you want to live.
And if you feel like quitting, for whatever reason, ask for help.
You don’t have to struggle alone.
