Numbers don't lie: dropout awareness

"I think people come to Prairie View for the wrong reasons. Students get caught up in the "college life" and lose focus, which reflects in their grades, and once your grades drop to a low average it's hard to bring them back up," says sophomore education major Tabitha Hewlett.
Prairie View A&M University, which has a student population of about 8,400, reportedly had a retention rate of about 67 percent during the 2011-2012 school year compared to the previous year when the retention rate was about 49 percent for first time freshmen.
"I think students who come to PV feel as if it's going to be easy, are more focused on parties, and blow off their classes which effects the schools dropout rates," says sophomore Sauntrell Hill.
Too much partying, lack of guidance, burned out on education, the stress of working a job while being a full time student, and being academically unprepared are all factors that can contribute to the increase of student dropout rates. "I feel like some people dropout because the programs are too hard and some are not prepared for the pressure of college life," says sophomore criminal justice major Iesha Sanders.
 According to a Harvard study, the rise in the cost of college education is the primary reason college students' dropout.
However, there are things that can be done to help students financially for college.
"If students put more time into their school work, and less time on distracting things such as parties, then dropout rates could possibly decrease," says sophomore agriculture major Z'Aundria Warren.
Applying for scholarships, loans, and grants are a few ways students can receive additional funds for the school year. Managing your time wisely will help decrease levels of stress and give one a sufficient schedule to work around.