Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Why Most College Students Don't Graduate in 4 Years

The college experience has changed a lot in just a few decades. Everyone knows the cost of college has skyrocketed beyond belief. College students used to be able to afford their tuition for the year simply by working a part-time summer job. No more. College costs are bankrupting students, and in many cases, their parents, too.

But that's another blog. This blog is about how difficult it has become for students to graduate in four years. It's true, only 41 percent of college kids manage to finish their degree in the traditional four years. Why? There are a number of factors.

Students concerned about their growing student debt often take on too much paid work, which interferes with their academic roles. Studies also show that students who aren't sure of their major when they begin college, or who change majors, are also at risk for taking longer to graduate.

There's also evidence that students who struggle socially have difficulty applying themselves to their studies, which can interfere with that looming graduation date.

So, how can you help your college student finish on time? Below are a few tips that might help.
  • Take AP or Dual Enrollment Classes: High school AP classes or dual enrollment classes (where your students take college-level courses through a local community college while still in high school) is a great way for your kids to jump-start their general education requirements. You don't want your child taking on more than he or she can handle, but chipping away at general education requirements while still in high school will give your student a bit of a head start. 
  • Turn to Your Community College: Students in danger of getting behind on their coursework might find the local community college to be their best ally. It's worth investigating if your child can take a class or two at a community college during summer break, or even over the winter holiday. 
  • Work Less: Students today have to take on unbelievable student loans and it's no wonder they want to work to earn as much as possible. But work can interfere with course work, and it's no savings if your student has to take a class over again because of a failing grade. 
  • Get Socially Engaged: There is a lot of research and evidence that shows that students who are engaged socially during the college years are more likely to graduate on time. In other words, it's important to make a few friends and have a social network and support system. Having a social network helps keep students motivated and friends may even hold your child accountable to his or her studies.
  • Take a Full Course Load: Colleges will tell you that a 12 credit load is full time and it is, but it's not enough. Your student will have to carry a load of 15 or more per semester in order to finish on time. You certainly don't want your student to struggle by taking on too much at one time, but taking an easy course load will guarantee an extra semester or two.
  • Stay on Track: Jumping from major to major is not recommended if a student hopes to graduate on time. I have a real problem with this because most teenagers and young adults don't even know what options are available to them, how can they choose a major and a life path? And isn't college supposed to be a time to expose students to possibilities? Changing majors, to me, is a right of passage that shouldn't be so harshly punished. But again, that is another blog. You can help your student by researching majors in high school and by taking the time to look into possible career paths. Frequent discussions can help your student zero in on options, as can frequent meetings with school advisers, and career counselors. 
  • Look at graduation rates: Colleges and universities make their 4-year graduation rates public and you can easily find them on college websites or higher education websites. These numbers are a fairly good indicator of how well a school can guide students through their college careers in a timely manner. Be sure you know the 4-year graduation percentile for every school your child is seriously considering. Schools with low 4-year graduation percentiles can indicate apathy on the part of the administration. At the very least, a low graduation rate is a red flag and should be looked into further. 

More About Making the Most of the College Experience



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