Since our program is such an accelerated program that we only offer day classes, it makes it very difficult for our students to have a job as well as be students. So in terms of supporting themselves and often times their kids, they just find it to difficult to continue.
From what I have witness in my classroom, some student to not have the skills to take on education and deal with issues in their personal life. Significant person in their life make it hard for them to continue to go to school. They allow what was bothering them before coming to class to continue in the classroom by texting and talking on the phone. They just get overwhelm and not come back.
Four reasons come to mind as to why our students start and never finish.
1. Obstacles in their lives that they are not able to overcome.
2. Lack of family support for child care.
3. The class is not exciting, challenging and motivating for them to return.
4. They are struggling academically and they are not getting the support from their instructors.
This is why student services is so critical for our students. Our student services provide resources and support for our students who are faced with outside challenges.
Students leave because of family issues, welfare issues and are just not wanted to commited to wanting to change there lives and life style.
I feel students often withdrawl due to their life activities. Alot of students try and balance family life, work, and school and sometimes the family life takes a greater priority and therefor students will lose balance and need to drop school.
Kristen,
Hi! Recently I shared an article that I read in the Science Daily regarding the impact of decision making when a person is stressed. It is an excellent read and I encourage you to review the article. If we understand the why behind our students decisions we may be able to assist them more fully. The link is; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120228114308.htm
Cindy Bryant
Students leave because they are forced to doing something with their life either by welfare, court order, or parents. So far in my teaching career, the large portion of my drops are because of these issues. They tell me, it is a lot harder then they had expected or this field is not for them , they thought it was but did it for their mom.
Students that I have spoken to that would like to come back have told me they stopped because problems in their personal life. Life seems to always get in the way.
Edwin,
Welcome to the forum! Thank you for taking the time to research the reasons that student leave your institution. This type of information is critical to the success of your program. It is good to know that your admissions department is operating well. In examining your campuses two main reasons that students leave it is apparent that you have limited ability to control the external factors in a students life. As far as the second point, this is an internal problem that can be addressed and corrected through enhance training. Based on your research if you are able to control faculty engagement in the classroom you could minimize your attrition rates.
Cindy Bryant
Kimberley,
Hi! You have brought up very common reasons that students abandon their education. I have to think that FEAR is the over-arching reason. The fear of failure or possibly the fear of success. How can we as an industry help the student overcome the repression of fear?
Cindy Bryant
Many students leave because they are not adequately prepared for post-secondary work. They have a high school diploma but have not truly received a high school education.
I believe that the students who do not complete the programs in which they are enrolled at our school leave school primarily because of issues in their lives. Again and again, I talk to people who have put their educations "on hold" because of family emergencies, tragedies, and financial hardship. A few students may find that getting an education requires a lot of work and effort. Some may not have been willing to put in the needed time and perspiration to succeed.
Theresa,
I wish I could say that if you give the student the necessary resources they will remain in school. Unfortunately this may not be true all the time. I have learned that if a campus is able to provide alternatives then there is a possibility of saving many students. You can consider yourself successful even if one student continues with their education.
Cindy Bryant
Theresa,
I wish I could say that if you give the student the necessary resources they will remain in school. Unfortunately this may not be true all the time. I have learned that if a campus is able to provide alternatives then there is a possibility of saving many students. You can consider yourself successful even if one student continues with their education.
Cindy Bryant
Stacey,
In your response you mention that sometimes students leave due to a lack of coping skills. Many campuses have implemented courses that assist students with soft skills as well as coping skills. What does your campus offer students along these lines?
Cindy Bryant
Lisa,
In your opinion, what would be the best way to discourage drops and increase retention rates.
Cindy Bryant
Over the years looking at why they leave we have done some research by contacting students after they have left school. The two major areas we found out were.
1. Life got in the way of school and the student(s) did not have the coping skills to handle school and personal issues.
2. The second had to do with the classroom and how the instructor interacted with the student(s)Keeping the student(s)motivated and engaged in what they were learning.
We did not find any significant data that there was a problem in the enrollment process.
Our students give up on themselves for a variety of reasons. They may feel misinformed, life issues can get in the way, self confidence and fear are also factors.
Most students leave due to personal or family issues, moving out of state, new job wont work with our school schedule, child care,,,etc. Although you try to help them with these issues, they usually wont stay in school.
I think many students leave due to lack of coping skills or it becomes overwhelming with school, family, work, etc.
