How to Retain First Year Students in University or College

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Provide access to funding for students.

   Most students can not afford university education and need financial assistance.
   
   Provide bursaries, scholarships and even educational loans.
2. 2

   Step 2: Introduce pre-university programs such bridging courses

   These help prepare the student for university.
   
   Many students simply can not cope with the academic challenges that university education entails; grades fall as much as 15% and they realize that they will not make it at the end of the year.
   
   Others still are accustomed to the support they received from their teachers so when they come to the university and discover that that support is not forthcoming these learners would rather not face academic failure again.Thus they decide to opt out. , Imagine a student who has requested a change of course but 8 weeks later he/she has received no reply and hence is uncertain as to his/her status.
   
   The students are accustomed to their own little school and then to be suddenly confronted with the campus gigantic administration system they feel so intimidated that they would rather opt out. , It is natural for a student to feel lost but there must be somebody to lead him/her back on course.
   
   Students also have baggage from home which needs an ear and require some comforting words.
   
   Should a student not find a channel to have his/her voice heard or someone to patiently listen to their whining the take the shortest way out of the university gates. , He/she can only do this by belonging to a club and social institution of the university.
   
   The absence of a suitable bonding leaves a student with the easy way out-drop out.
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   Step 3: foundation year etc.

4. 4

   Step 4: Reduce University Administration Red Tape.Thousands more students are frustrated by the way the university administration handles or deals with learners.

5. 5

   Step 5: Provide effective and responsive Career Guidance and Counseling Facilities.There are universities with poor orientation programmes which leave students with no clear direction as to what their studies entail; furthermore

6. 6

   Step 6: there is little or no counseling and students feel unwanted.

7. 7

   Step 7: Introduce Social Life at the university.A student is a social animal and needs to have a clear sense of belonging

8. 8

   Step 8: of being rooted into the system.

Detailed Guide

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