When students are about to start their first year of university, there are many things to consider. From moving house, which they may have to take care of, to finances, student loans, etc. However, there are some important things that don’t always get the attention they should..
When analyzing the failure rate during the first year of university, there are some characteristic aspects that appear most frequently among the reasons for such failure.
A wrong choice of studies, and a bad process of adaptation to the chosen academic system, are common factors in student failure, and they have not always been properly evaluated beforehand.
Choose the right academic program for your selected University
Not all universities offer the same academic system. This is not only very important but can be decisive. The difference between the various academic models is great and, in some cases, even opposite.
It is essential to study in detail the different educational models that are proposed to us. It is not just a matter of choosing a university because of its prestige or because it is more or less affordable.
Both study programs and educational policies are basic elements in this selection process. Fortunately, universities today are very open when it comes to communicating their pedagogical formulas and teaching tools.
Take a good look at all the complementary aspects of your studies
Interestingly, the lack of adaptation of students to their first year of university has much less to do with the academics and more to do with complementary aspects.
In this area, too, the universities have very different offerings. They range from universities very focused on the pedagogical aspect of teaching to others with a very rich and broad complementary life.
A detailed review of all the complementary aspects of the university you wish to select is essential. This includes elements such as accommodation, student environment, complementary courses and activities, and even the general atmosphere of the different campuses.
It is a matter of finding the proposal with which we feel most identified from all points of view. Where we feel we will fit best, both educationally and emotionally.
Get ready for the change of intensity in the study process
One of the most serious challenges in the first year of university, according to American undergraduates, is the great difference in the level of demands placed on students when they start their studies at universities.
This is a quantitative and qualitative change. The degree of dedication to study will multiply, and, equally, the subjects will become more complex and require greater effort.
It is obvious that for people who are used to studying intensively, this change may be less dramatic. In general, it is highly recommended to train as intensively as possible and to reinforce study habits in order to adapt to new demands.