Preventing University Dropouts: Strategies For Student Retention

University dropout is a significant issue, with only 39% of students graduating within the expected duration of their program. There are many reasons why students drop out, including financial concerns, academic struggles, and personal issues. To prevent students from dropping out, universities can implement strategies such as improving mental health services, lessening the financial burden, developing study support systems, and creating new student programs. Additionally, early detection and corrective action are key to helping students who are at risk of dropping out.

Provide mental health support

Mental health is a major concern for college students, with over 60% meeting the criteria for at least one mental health issue, such as depression and anxiety. These struggles can impact a student's grades and even lead them to drop out. Therefore, it is important to provide mental health support to prevent students from dropping out of university. Here are some ways to do so:

• Offer mental health services: Colleges should implement mental health solutions to destigmatize poor mental health. This can include providing counselors, peer-support programs, therapy dogs, or connecting students with online therapy programs. Promote these mental health programs and draw attention to features like free services or online sign-ups to make it easier for students to participate.
• Provide information on receiving mental health services: Students may not be aware of the mental health resources available to them. Therefore, colleges should ensure that information about mental health services is readily available and communicated to students.
• Reduce stigma: Stigma is often a barrier to seeking help for mental health issues. Colleges should work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health by increasing the conversation around it and making it a campus-wide effort. Involving students, faculty, and staff in mental health campaigns can help reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
• Integrate mental health training: Mental health or suicide prevention training should be integrated into academics and student life, rather than just being offered as optional training. This will help to normalize conversations about mental health and ensure that students, faculty, and staff are better equipped to support each other.
• Screening and assessment: Colleges can conduct screening and assessment for mental health issues at the beginning of the semester via online surveys or in college health and counseling centers. This can help identify students who may be at risk and enable early intervention.
• Collaborate with external organizations: Active collaboration with external organizations and the community can help expand resources and support for students. For example, colleges can partner with mental health nonprofits or local community mental health services.
• Create a community of care: Colleges should aim to create a community of care by training faculty and staff to recognize mental health concerns and provide appropriate support. This can include recognizing immediate concerns or threats to a student's safety and knowing how to direct students to the right resources.
• Simplify the process to return: If a student needs to take a break from their studies due to mental health issues, colleges should simplify the process for them to return. This can include creating policies that support students who take time off for their mental health and removing barriers to re-enrollment.
• Encourage self-care and help-seeking: Colleges should encourage students to prioritize their mental health and help them understand that there is no shame in taking time off to focus on their well-being. Normalizing help-seeking behaviors and ensuring that students know where to turn for support can help prevent students from reaching a crisis point.
• Offer a range of support options: Not all students will feel comfortable with traditional counseling services. Colleges can offer a range of support options, such as online or telecounseling, support hotlines, peer support groups, or referrals to off-campus therapists.
• Provide academic accommodations: For students struggling with their mental health, colleges can provide academic accommodations such as extended deadlines, reduced course loads, or alternative assessment options. This can help reduce stress and allow students to focus on their well-being.
• Promote healthy lifestyle habits: Colleges can promote healthy lifestyle habits that can positively impact mental health, such as regular sleep, healthy eating, and physical activity. They can also offer resources and support for students struggling with substance abuse or other unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Reduce financial burden

Financial difficulties are a significant cause of students dropping out of university. Experiancing financial stress can negatively impact students' mental health, academic performance, and social lives. To reduce the financial burden on students, universities can implement the following strategies:

• Provide financial aid and scholarships: Universities can offer need-based scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance to help students cover the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses. This can include need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and grants.
• Develop financial wellness programs: These programs can educate students about personal finance, budgeting, debt reduction, using credit cards responsibly, and investing. For example, Wake Forest University offers the iGrad financial wellness program to all students, with a specific focus on first-generation scholars and students participating in the LGBTQ+ Center.
• Offer emergency financial aid: Many students experience unexpected financial crises during their studies. Universities can provide emergency grants, loans, or other forms of assistance to help students cover unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or family emergencies.
• Partner with banks for student-friendly credit cards: Credit cards can be a useful financial tool for students, but it is important that they understand how to use them responsibly. Universities can partner with banks to offer low-interest credit cards with no annual fees, rewards programs, and other benefits tailored to students' needs.
• Provide on-campus employment opportunities: Many students need to work while studying to support themselves financially. Universities can offer on-campus jobs, such as research or teaching assistant positions, that provide a stable source of income and flexible work hours that accommodate students' academic commitments.
• Reduce tuition fees and other costs: Universities can work to reduce the overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. This can include offering in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students, reducing fees for specific programs or services, and providing discounts on campus amenities.
• Improve transparency around financial aid: Many students are unsure about the details of their financial aid packages. Universities can improve transparency by providing clear and concise information about the types of aid available, the application process, eligibility requirements, and repayment options.

Develop study support systems

Developing study support systems can be a crucial way to prevent students from dropping out of university. Here are some strategies that can be implemented:

Classes on Study Skills

Peer-led or instructor-led classes on study skills can provide valuable tools and techniques to help students effectively prepare for their courses. These sessions can cover various topics such as studying techniques, time management strategies, and other relevant information. This will enable students to tackle their academic workload more efficiently and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

Free Tutoring Programs

Offering free tutoring services can provide one-on-one support to students who are struggling in specific subjects or courses. Tutoring can be provided for general education courses, such as writing, mathematics, and science, as well as for courses within a student's major. This additional support can help students improve their understanding of challenging material and enhance their academic performance.

Personalised Academic Advising

Academic advisors play a vital role in supporting students throughout their university journey. They can guide students in navigating their academic path, from course selection and registration to providing advice on extracurricular activities. Advisors can also help students develop time management skills and create study plans to ensure they stay on track with their studies.

Online Resources and Technology

Utilising technology and online resources can be beneficial for students, especially those who may have busy schedules or prefer more flexible learning options. Universities can provide online platforms or modules that offer study tips, virtual tutoring, and access to additional course materials. This can help students access support and enhance their learning experience, even if they are unable to attend in-person sessions.

Study Groups and Mentorship Programs

Encouraging students to form study groups or participate in mentorship programs can provide a supportive network for learning and academic success. Study groups allow students to collaborate, share ideas, and clarify concepts with their peers. Additionally, mentorship programs can connect students with more experienced peers or faculty members who can offer guidance, advice, and support throughout their academic journey.

By implementing these strategies, universities can provide students with the necessary tools and support to succeed in their studies, reducing the likelihood of dropping out.

Create new student programs

Creating new student programs is an effective way to prevent students from dropping out of university. Here are some suggestions for new student programs:

Orientation Programs

Orientation programs can help freshmen transition to college life and feel more connected to the campus community. Seminars on topics such as dorm life, making friends, time management, personal wellness, and using campus resources can be beneficial. These programs can also include social events and activities to help freshmen meet and interact with their peers.

Peer Mentoring Programs

Peer mentoring programs can pair upperclassmen with freshmen to provide support and guidance. Upperclassmen can offer advice and help freshmen navigate the social and academic challenges of college life. This can also help build a sense of community and improve the transition to college.

Freshman Cohorts

Grouping freshmen into cohorts of 25 students who take their courses together can promote a sense of community and support. This can help freshmen feel less isolated and more connected to their peers, improving their overall college experience.

Study Support Systems

Study support systems can help students stay on track academically and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. This can include peer-led or instructor-led study skills classes, free tutoring programs, and personalized academic advising. Helping students develop effective study habits and time management skills can improve their academic performance and reduce the risk of dropping out.

Mental Health Services

Mental health services, such as counselling, peer-support programs, therapy dogs, and online therapy programs, can help students manage stress and anxiety. Promoting these services and making them easily accessible can encourage students to seek help when needed.

Improve the student experience with software

Software can be used to improve the student experience and prevent university dropouts. Automation is an effective tool for measuring learning outcomes and improving institutional research and planning. With a centralized platform, universities can easily collect, manage, and measure student data to identify areas where improvements can be made and where students require support.

• Early alert systems: Retention software can be used to flag students who appear at risk and enable effective interventions. This allows universities to identify students who need help early on and provide the necessary support to keep them on track.
• Centralized data management: By collecting and analyzing institutional data, universities can gain insights into attendance, academic performance, and other aspects of student life. This helps identify trends and areas where improvements can be made to enhance the student experience.
• Personalized academic advising: Software can facilitate personalized academic advising by providing advisors with data-driven insights into student performance and areas where they may need additional support. This enables advisors to offer tailored guidance and resources to help students succeed.
• Online learning platforms: Online platforms can be used to deliver course content, facilitate interactions between students and instructors, and provide access to resources such as readings and assignments. This can be especially beneficial for students who prefer flexible learning options or have scheduling conflicts with traditional classroom instruction.
• Data-driven course improvements: Universities can use software to collect and analyze student feedback and performance data to identify areas where courses can be improved. This might include identifying areas where students consistently struggle and providing additional resources or support.
• Mental health support: Software can be utilized to connect students with mental health resources and support services. This can include online therapy programs, peer support groups, and information on how to access counseling services.

Frequently asked questions