According to the Department of Education, nearly 20% of college freshmen will not return for a second year. Furthermore, only 60% of students entering 4-year college graduate within 6 years, and only 41% within 4 years.

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The reasons students leave college are varied and often complex.

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• Some students are not prepared for the sudden change in social environment, while others are not prepared for the sudden change in academic expectations.

• Some students have not developed time management skills and may have relied too heavily on their parents to assist them with scheduling and motivation.

• Some students leave for college with an unresolved mental health issue such as depression, social anxiety or trauma, the symptoms of which can become exacerbated by the unstructured environment of college.

• Some students do not view college as a major stepping stone along a successful life path, but rather their first opportunity to make decisions they were not free to before.

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Through counseling, we will identify and work to remedy potential barriers to a successful transition to college. Students will learn the specific skills they need to feel empowered to confidently face the challenges ahead. Examples of specific skills targeted  include stress management, time management, social networking skills, decision making skills, coping skills, knowledge about substance use, and skills to enhance self-efficacy.

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Some families may feel that taking a gap year before college to gain valuable life experience and increase skills and maturity would be beneficial. For those interested in this option, we can work together in planning a gap year that will best prepare your teen for the college experience.

 

A smooth transition during this first major step toward independence represents a powerful achievement which will build lasting confidence.