GenZ students, born between 1997 and 2012, have grown up in a world of technology and social media, making them a unique demographic in higher education. To keep GenZ students engaged, institutions must provide a dynamic learning environment that caters to their learning styles.
One common mistake that institutions make is a lack of engagement in the classroom. This could be due to monotonous lectures, outdated teaching styles, or a lack of hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, GenZ students value diversity and inclusivity, and schools and institutions that fail to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment risk losing these students.
Effective communication is another critical factor in retaining GenZ-ers. Institutions that fail to communicate effectively, whether in person or through email, social media, or other platforms, may miss important opportunities to engage with students.
Finally, inflexible schedules and curricula can also significantly deter GenZ learners. These students often have busy schedules and require flexibility in their own schedule and learning opportunities to balance coursework, extracurricular activities, and work. Institutions that fail to accommodate these needs may lose GenZ students who seek more flexible options.
Mature students, typically defined as those over 25, often have unique challenges and responsibilities that can impact their success in higher education. One common mistake institutions make is inadequate support for balancing work, family, and education.
These students may have full-time jobs, dependents, or children, or other responsibilities that make it challenging to devote the necessary time and energy to their studies. Institutions that fail to provide resources such as counselling, childcare, and flexible scheduling risk losing these students.
Additionally, mature students may need more access to resources, data and technology compared to their younger counterparts. Institutions that do not provide sufficient resources, such as computer labs, library services, and tutoring may find that mature students struggle to keep up with coursework.
Finally, mature students may have difficulty connecting with younger students and their relationships with faculty members due to age differences and varying life experiences. Institutions that fail to create opportunities for mentorship and engagement may miss out on the valuable contributions of mature students and risk losing them to institutions that better meet their needs.
Remote learners, especially those new to any form of online learning, may struggle if the course design and delivery are poor. Ineffective teaching methods, unclear expectations, and a lack of resources can all make a student feel lost and unsupported.
Additionally, remote learners may feel isolated from their peers, administrators, and faculty members, negatively impacting their engagement and motivation.
Technical difficulties such as poor internet connectivity, software and data issues, and hardware problems can also pose a challenge to remote learners. If these issues are not addressed quickly and effectively, they can become a significant barrier to student success. Without adequate technical support and troubleshooting assistance, remote learners may become frustrated and disengaged, leading to a higher DFW rate.
International students face unique challenges when studying abroad, and insufficient support for cultural adjustment and language barriers can lead to a higher DFW rate.
Without proper assistance, international students may struggle to navigate new cultural norms and customs, leading to a sense of isolation and difficulty connecting with peers.
Limited access to financial aid and scholarships can also create a significant barrier to success for international students, particularly those from less affluent backgrounds. Inadequate housing and transportation options can also pose a challenge, especially for those unfamiliar with the university or local area.
On-campus first-year students may need more orientation and transition programs to adjust to college life. Without clear expectations and guidance, students may feel lost and unsupported.
Limited involvement opportunities can also hinder students’ ability to connect with their peers and become fully engaged in the college experience. Insufficient mental health resources can also be detrimental to first-year students’ well-being as they adjust to new challenges and experiences. Without access to appropriate support, students may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, leading to a higher DFW rate.
On-campus first-year students are particularly vulnerable to dropping out if they do not receive adequate support. Inadequate orientation and transition programs can leave students feeling unprepared and uncertain about what to expect. This can be compounded by limited involvement opportunities, which can leave students feeling isolated and disconnected from the campus community. Insufficient mental health resources can also contribute to a higher DFW rate, particularly for students who may be struggling with the pressures of the transition to college life.
Without access to these courses and appropriate support systems, these students may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, leading to a higher likelihood of dropping out or failing. Higher ed institutions must prioritize providing effective orientation and transition programs, ample opportunities for involvement, and robust mental health resources to support on-campus first-year students’ success.
Quadc, a student success software, could support students by providing personalized engagement and communication opportunities. The software can address the diverse learning styles of GenZ students by offering various learning modes and providing a dynamic environment.
Moreover, it could offer effective communication channels to engage GenZ students and other student groups, such as mature students, remote learners, international students, and on-campus first-year students, in relevant activities and coursework. The software offers flexibility in scheduling, such as providing virtual classes, online resources, and virtual labs, supporting the busy schedules of GenZ, mature students, and remote learners.
The software could also provide access to adequate resources, such as library services, tutoring, and counselling, that benefits mature students and remote learners who may have limited access to resources compared to their younger counterparts.
Furthermore, the software could have the university to facilitate connection and mentorship opportunities between students and faculty members, which could support mature and first-year students who may have difficulty connecting with their peers and instructors. Finally, the software offer universities relevant resources, such as cultural adjustment and language support for international students, to promote their success and retention.
Overall, Quadc could have universities address the common pitfalls of student retention and support students’ success in higher education.
There are many ways that higher ed institutions can lose students, including inadequate orientation and transition programs, insufficient mental health resources, poor online course design and delivery, limited interaction with peers and faculty, technical difficulties, insufficient support for cultural adjustment and language barriers, limited access to financial aid and scholarships, among others.
It is crucial for institutions to prioritize student retention and success, recognizing that a high DFW rate can have significant consequences for both the students and the institution as a whole.
We urge higher education institutions to take proactive measures to enhance their student retention strategies. This includes investing in comprehensive orientation and transition programs, prioritizing the provision of robust mental health resources, and creating an environment that fosters student engagement, growth, and support.
By embracing these initiatives, colleges and institutions can ensure that all students, including GenZ students, mature students, remote learners, international students, and on-campus first-year students, have the necessary resources and support to flourish and succeed throughout their academic journey.
Discover effective strategies and online student services to combat student attrition in higher education. Boost retention rates and student success.
Each student is different, so we're here to provide you with a range of proven strategies for improving student success.
Discover the Power of Early Alerts for Student Success. Improve student retention and performance with effective intervention strategies. Guide Inside