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Common Reasons Why Students Drop Out of College

In an era of competitive college admissions, it can seem as if getting into college is the biggest challenge students face in their lives. Unfortunately, getting in is only the beginning—the real challenge is staying in until graduating. As parents and students work through the college search and application process, they should be aware of these common, foreseeable issues that often lead students to drop out of school before completing a degree.

The student is academically underprepared. Some students are thrilled to be accepted at one of their “reach” schools, only to find themselves struggling to keep up academically once they're enrolled. Unfortunately, a high school diploma or acceptance at a prestigious university doesn't indicate readiness for college-level work. Some students skated by in high school without learning foundational material for to do my math homework for me, and they may need remedial classes before they are ready for university work. Other students find that the level of education they received in high school simply did not prepare them for the highly rigorous courses they find at top universities.

The student is not ready to live independently. Some students aren't ready for the responsibility of living on their own. They are unprepared for the responsibilities college life places on them and may engage in behaviors that make it challenging to stay in school, such as cutting class, sleeping through exams, overspending, getting involved with drugs or alcohol, or failing to complete assignments on time. Other students, especially those who finished high school early, aren't ready for some of the social dynamics on campus. In these situations, a year or two at a community college may help. Some students do better living at home and attending a university within driving distance.

The student is financially unable to finish. Too often, families say they will “find a way to pay” if their student is accepted at a prestigious school. While this sounds generous and supportive, the family that can barely afford the first year of college is often unable to keep up with tuition increases in following years. Some students are forced to leave their dream schools each year because they are unable to afford them. In other situations, students' financial circumstances change while they are in college; as a result of a job loss, death in the family, or other financial hardship, they can no longer afford to continue college.

The student suffers from a lack of motivation or purpose. Yes, some formerly unmotivated high school students DO find their purpose and passion in college. However, others seem to drag out the process—changing majors, dropping classes mid-semester, and making excuses for lack of performance. Students who lack motivation or purpose often drop out prior to earning a degree.

The student's motto is, “All fun... no work.” Many people know some kid who partied his or her way way out of college. It happens more frequently than parents like to admit. Sometimes, good kids fall into a party crowd at college, finding the freedom and independence to be too much of a temptation. Other students already had a tendency to party in high school, but with easier access to drugs and alcohol in college and less supervision, partying gets out of control, and the students are asked to leave for failing to make sufficient academic progress.

The student is a bad fit for the college. Some students find themselves at schools that don't fit—academically, socially, politically, geographically, or financially. As much as these students try to make these colleges work, a bad fit in any area makes it very difficult to stay. A great student at the wrong school will be unhappy and unproductive.

Not every student who drops out leaves school permanently—many transfer to a better-fit school or resume their education later on. Students and parents should try to identify potential problems and gear the college search process around that knowledge. Families should keep in mind that “fit” isn't just about finding a school that will admit a student based on scores and grades, it's about finding paper writing service that the student is prepared for academically and socially.