According to experts in a mentoring experiment that involved thousands of former students, US higher education are failing to win back many of its 40 million dropouts in large part because it is making the process of returning far more complicated than necessary.

The dropout population – commonly dubbed “some college, no credential” – has become a leading concern for institutions and policymakers because they are regarded as among the most vulnerable of the 43 million people estimated to hold more than $1.7 trillion (£1.3 trillion) in student loan debt nationwide. Such borrowers represent one of the central motivations for President Joe Biden’s persistent and controversial campaign to enact broad student loan forgiveness.

To examine possible solutions, a research team from the University of Chicago and the University of Colorado Boulder put thousands of dropout students through a professional mentoring program to see what difference it made. The answer: virtually none.

Many of the students embraced and appreciated the guidance, said a co-organizer of the project, OdedGurantz, an assistant professor of education at Colorado. And while about a third of those who volunteered for the experiment did return to college, the mentoring made no real difference, as the returnees were about evenly split between the 4,000 who were given professional assistance and the 4,000 who were not.

College student withdrawal figures remain a significant issue. It's a call for colleges to look again at their help networks for at-risk students. Though most places highlight bringing in students and signing them up, the key point often missed is providing enough help for those who opt-out. Here are five ways to improve student retention and boost student engagement:

“To thrive in today’s highly competitive professional world, education is crucial to enhance a student's skill and potential. With the world’s largest population of 365 million youth, India must provide its youth with the finest education facilities available.” Says Siddharth Chaturvedi, executive vice president of AISECT Group.

Implementing Robust Mentorship Programs

To stop school dropouts, personalized mentor programs work well. These schemes pair students with mentors. These mentors help students with studies, emotions, and career ideas. The University of Texas at Austin had great results with this. They used a program called "Mentorship for Academic and Personal Success" (MAPS). This program lowered the number of students dropping out.

For example, The MAPS program at the University of Texas gets the right mentor for each student. They match them based on common interests and study goals. This way, mentors build a strong bond and help students early on. Because of this, more students stay in school.

“Career Services are offered where it has dedicated Placement services that provide students with resources such as resume workshops, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. They also facilitate connections between students and potential employers,” says Dr. H M Patel, Principal at Bhavan's R. A. College of Science.

Strengthening Mental Health Services

Student's mental health deeply affects their overall well-being and school wins. Schools should focus on mental health solutions to prevent students from leaving. UC Berkeley deserves praise for their "Let's Talk" program, which does just this.

For example:"Let's Talk" project offers open chat times with advisors on campus. Making mental health help simple to find and reducing the stigma to ask for it, has shown some good effects. It's positively influenced the students' mind health, and later, their will to keep studying.

Enhancing Financial Aid and Advising Services

Money problems often cause students to quit school. Schools need to make sure students understand financial aid and advising services. Arizona State University (ASU) has a great system for this that helps keep students in school.

ASU's "Financing Your Education" program is an awesome example. It mixes lessons about money with custom advice. Students learn to manage money better, side stepping financial troubles and staying in school longer.

Implementing Early Warning Systems

Early identification of struggling students is absolutely essential in order to stop students from dropping out of school. Colleges and universities are able to utilize sophisticated data analysis techniques and tracking systems to pinpoint those students who may be in danger of falling behind in their studies. Georgia State University has expertly applied this strategy through their "GPS Advising" initiative. By monitoring students' academic performance, participation, and engagement using advanced analytical tools, they are able to recognize when someone starts to struggle and needs extra assistance. Advisors their work closely with at risk students, connecting them to tutoring services, stress management resources, financial aid guidance, and other support systems to help get them back on track. This targeted interve­ntion approach has proven highly

For example: The GPS Advising program at Georgia State has developed an innovative way to assist students facing challenges by utilizing predictive analytics. By analyzing multiple factors like academic performance, financial situation, and personal circumstances, the program is able to identify those who may struggle and could benefit from extra support earlier on. Academic advisors in the program receive alerts in real time when a student's data suggests they are at risk of facing obstacles. This allows the advisors to proactively reach out to provide tailored guidance customized to the individual student's needs. The goal of their early intervention is to help equip stude­nts to overcome any issues through targeted advising, resources, and guidance. By addressing potential problems preemptively, the program

Creating Flexible Learning Pathways

While traditional academic structures benefit many students, universities ought to recognize that one size fits all learning may not be ideal for all individuals. By cultivating flexible alternatives, institutions can help ensure collegiate achievement remains within reach of more diverse learners. Offering options like online classes, part time scheduling, or work study combinations acknowledges that student circumstances vary widely. "Panther Academic Support Services" (PASS) at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee demonstrates how versatility supports accomplishment. There, tailored guidance accommodate­s those juggling jobs, families, or other real world responsibilities alongside their education. A multifaceted array of pathways respects differing timelines and obstacles, strengthening communities of scholars on campuses and beyond.

For example: PASS at UW Milwaukee allows students to customize their learning experiences, incorporating elements like online courses and experiential learning opportunities. This flexibility accommodates diverse student needs, reducing the likelihood of dropout due to scheduling or personal constraints.

Universities must prioritize dropout prevention by implementing strategies addressing students' multifaceted challenges. Through robust mentorship programs, strengthened mental health services, and enhanced financial aid and advising, institutions can significantly improve the support offered to students on the brink of dropping out. Implementing early warning systems and creating flexible learning pathways further contribute to a comprehensive approach to fostering student success. By investing in these strategies, universities can demonstrate their commitment to student well-being and academic achievement, ultimately reducing dropout rates and ensuring a more successful and inclusive educational experience.