10 Reasons Why College Students Fail In Their Subject

As the world continuously revolves and the rampant change in the world is thoroughly observable there is an impending challenge in the society that leads to the downfall of many. According to some experts, Education is the Main Backbone of your life thus the main highlight of your career. This is also one of the treasures of your life you shall forever treasure and will not be taken by any. But looking at the downside we are different in our own way and we each have flaws and one of the factors is by means of failing. Indeed there are a lot of reasons why students fail, but what is the main reason why students fail at some point in their life? Some are due to excessive pressure by their parents, relatives, and schools. Some can’t handle the stress and intensity of education they are in. Some doesn’t have a stable finance that can make their hallway in education. Nevertheless, the bottom line of this is due to the students, themselves and as I wrote this certain topic, I will further explain what are the reasons why students fail and its underlying reasons.

Lacking time management

The issue of managing time is very funny. A lecture of mine usually tells the class that time cannot be controlled, it is more the individual that needs to learn how to manage themselves. Some students procrastinate and so they are unable to meet deadlines for various tasks that they have to complete. Tasks such as completing assignments, doing projects, making presentations or even being present for classes go neglected. Some students may spend much of their time doing nonrelated academic activities and then realize that much time has been wasted. Being actively involved in after the school works. Doing a job and holding leadership positions in various capacities at times are given more attention. Students get carried away by those demanding duties and leave their school work unattended. Likewise, it is for those who choose to have pleasure before work in partying or going out.

Not being prepared

Starting off the first year at college does not always go well for every student. The transition from high school or being at home is not always so smooth. The workload would be heavier than high school and if leaving home or employment, there is often the need to refresh memory on academic related matters. Depending on the area that the student is enrolled in, the workload can vary. The sciences are usually heavy. The first year is usually some of the easiest and introductory courses that make the student gradually get used to what college is all about. Even though this is the case, many still find it difficult in keeping up. Enrolling in a program that is not fitting also makes student lack interest and motivation and so they get little to no work done. College is not the place to under the wings of parents but being independent and making critical decisions every day is necessary. Some students are horrifying.  About leaving home and are just not mentally ready to take on the challenges that it presents so they struggle. It is when thought processes (I can’t manage or do it) are change that students will be better able to cope and improve their grades than failing courses.

Not focused on studies

It is said that the way to get a degree or certification for a course is to read for it. Some lecturers do not do what is usually done in high school. The onus is on the student many times to go and do research and independently know the information or content of the course. Students who do not spend time preparing for final exams through weeks of studying and not just trying to swat the night before will find that he or she fails an examination or performs badly on a quiz. Some lack the motivation to do their work and take up a book and so last minute it is! Assuming responsibility for their academic success is far from what they are doing. Going to the library, forming a study group or seeking assistance to get problematic work ironed out is not done, and so these students not only received bad grading at their exams but throughout their class term. Here is a testimonial of a student sharing her experience of failing classes while being in college.

Inability to handle personal life challenge

This is one that many people may not consider to be a contributing factor. Each individual has their own day to day challenges and stress. Having a positive mental health is ideal and a student that is not able to cope with whatever life stressor that we are present can find ourselves doing poorly. Whether it is financial stress, worrying about how the school fees will be paid, hurting because of a break-up, having a death in the family, losing a job, family issues, relationship issues etc. These can severely impact the life of an individual even leading to stress depression. There are many ways to manage stress in college. I hope that these few ideas have helped you to better understand the reasons for failure that is often times seen among college students. Now you may be wondering how to combat these failures. You can check out my top ten solutions for failing students. Let me know in the comments box if there are any reasons that I left out that you believe should have been included in what I have listed, or your thoughts on the matter.

Fear of Failing

Failure is a fact of life and the foundation for all success. Nobody wakes up saying they want to fail, nor do they enjoy failure. The key is resilience and learning from the failure, changing in the process and growing toward success. Youth must be taught the importance of not wallowing in their mistakes, but learn the lessons quickly and move on.

Procrastination

Procrastination is the antithesis of time management and does not exist in the success formula. Doing things at the last minute is not only ineffective and non-productive, but it leads to stress, substandard/marginal work, and poor performance. Not correcting this practice at a high school level can prove to be harmful and costly at a collegiate level.

Sense of Entitlement

More and more we see examples of youth who walk around feeling the world owe them something. Taking this approach with their school work sets them up for failure because students don’t put forth the required effort needed to pass a class, win a game/competition or succeed. This behavior is a driving factor that shows up in other steps outlined here. Conversely, parents and leaders must work to correct this mentality in youth as it can be the most detrimental.

Low Self-Esteem/Too much Self-Confidence

 Having good self-esteem correlates with success later in life mainly because good grades and confidence can allow a teen to start out with scholarships and other opportunities. It also helps youth make good choices. Consequently, the adverse effect of not having good self-esteem can paralyze one’s ability to grow and progress through life. On the opposite end, having too much self-confidence can be detrimental to a youth’s future. Thinking “I’m better” than someone or something reflects bad character and cause people to flee from you. Regardless of a student’s gifts and abilities, they must be humble and know how to interact with people, engage them and not drive them away. It’s the only way to attain success.

Excessive Dependency of Thought

This is what I call the “Lazy Mentality” which is a by the product of the “entitlement” generation. Youth’s inability to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions/learning, or become solution oriented will cripple their future. Walking tur life will leave students on the side lines of life. Students must learn how to manage their life and not let life manage them.

Poor Time Management

Managing time effectively is critical to a student’s ability to balance multiple responsibilities that come with being in school (homework, projects, a job, social time, family obligations, etc.). It is important for them to learn this skill now prior to attending college that way they can learn from their failures in a less costly environment. Learning not to over-commit oneself is part of finding the balance to focus on what’s necessary and important.

But remember never give up after you fail. Failure is the first step to success, as they say. If you don’t fail, then you wouldn’t succeed. Learn from your failures. After you learn from your failures, you have a better chance to change failure into success. Never look down to it. No matter how many times you fail, if you never give up, you’ll get that succeeding feeling.

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Check out Nichole’s previous work entitled Eating Knowledge.