Every student in his life faces
failures in some parts of his academic life. You, I and everyone out there had
to go through some challenging and toilsome times in their academic life to get
to the final destination.
What does Academic failure actually mean? Is it the dropping out of a student
before graduation? Or is it the inability and lack of intelligence of a student
to succeed or who slips farther behind his peers and gradually discrete from the
educational system?
Well, the point of failure needs a bit of slight change. Academic failure in
actual is, when one has the ability and intelligence to succeed but, are unable
or unwilling to perform and apply these abilities in the educational setting.
“I have had the privilege of analyzing several thousand men and women, 98% of
whom were classed as “failures.” There is something radically wrong with a
civilization, and a system of education, which permit 98% of the people to go
through life as failures.”
(Napoleon Hill, Book, Think Grow Rich; 1937)
Now here are a few causes of failures of students, some of which might be a
failure cause of yours as well.
1) LACK OF MOTIVATION:
The foremost cause of failure is when a student does not even know that why does
he even need to succeed! A student who does not receive any kind of motivation
regarding his studies, his abilities, his future and his presence, will not
succeed. He just studies with having no reason to study. He will have lack of
commitment, lack of maturity, low inclination for effort, and lack of
self-confidence. Studies would no longer be an important part of his life to
focus on. Instead if he gets motivation from his family, peer, relatives,
teachers or the people around him, he would be able to perform well with an
ambition. So in short, (with an example,) it shows that you would never drink a
glass of water unless you are not motivated from inside or feel thirsty enough
to quench your thirst.
2) PEER RELATIONSHIPS:
The need to belong to a group and the need to be seen as unique is the dominant
struggle of adolescence. There is a strong connection between peer relationships
and academic achievement. It is obvious that if a child has great peer
relationships he is more likely to achieve academic success. Everything about
good peer relationships is positive which connects to future success.
High school students also might find themselves distracted by dating and
partying, and studies can fall to the wayside.
3) INSTITUTE’S CULTURE:
Sometimes, the culture of the institute matters a lot in a student’s success. If
the institute is of a higher level with co-education and is technologically
advanced having mostly upper class students can be a huge problem for a
government educated student who had studied from an Urdu medium school. He may
be an intelligent and hard working student but his inability of moving with the
culture around him can move him to failure. It relates to the Karl Marx’s theory
of conflict about the capitalist and the working class.
4) LACK OF HONESTY:
Plagiarism is increasing day by day and it is the most common method of every
student’s way of doing his assignments, projects, thesis and any other such
tasks like giving references and recommendations to promote oneself and even
teachers following favoritism. You may not see its effects at the present time
but later on in future, without honesty your credibility will vanish in no time
and you cannot hope to expand abilities and thoughts. It is dishonesty with
one’s self.
5) NO RISK AT ALL:
If you are extremely careful and take no risks, then you can't expect to make
the difference .There are many opportunities out there for you to grab. Being
over cautious limits you to mediocrity and leads you to failure. They think that
someday the time will be right to act. That "right" time never comes.
6) LACK OF PERSONAL STANDARDS OF QUALITY:
Before graduation, it is mostly the teacher’s responsibility to judge the
student’s work. But, students who do not learn to evaluate their own work and
underestimate the quality of their own written work, fail to develop personal
high standards of quality. Such students fail to move forward and take criticism
too personally, and usually place blame on instructors.
7) LACK OF PERSISTENCE:
You must have heard this statement many times that:
“Quitters never win and winners never quit”
Most people are good starters but they stop in the run when they come across
some hurdles. Obstacles are a chance to become better. They are the ways to use
your mind and improve yourself. Quitters cannot hope to success of any kind. You
should be mature and capable enough to problem solving.
8) LACK OF SELF DISCIPLINE:
Discipline means self-control. You must control yourself and decrease your
negative habits and qualities. If you don't conquer yourself, it will conquer
you. A student experiences an increased freedom when they are away from home,
they are presented with number of choices regarding their use of time, social
activities, habits and even whether or not to attend the class or do
assignments.
Although friends, parents, and faculty may advise, the choices and consequences
are ultimately the responsibility of the student.
9) FAMILY PROBLEMS:
Parent’s involvement is very valuable and influential for the student because
students need a strong support who can guide them through their education. A
student is more active, confident and more capable and empowered toward his
studies if his parent’s are supportive enough in his every stage of life.
Some students are overburdened at home by circumstances that they may find it
impossible to keep up.
10) POOR LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Just being able to speak a certain language is not enough in the academic world,
Instead, The success or failure of a student directly depends on mastery of the
language. If a student has poor language skills and is not able to read, write,
speak or listen effectively can lead to academic difficulty. Having language
problems do not necessarily relate to intelligence deficiency. All students, no
matter how bright, are expected to improve their language skills.
11) INTERFERENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
An institute is a place for growth and development, e.g., finding a career goal,
establishing relationships within peer groups, personality development,
encouragement, Confidence, Independence and offering better chances. But, they
may sometimes become overwhelming and seriously interfere with academic
performance. Some students may fall into depression, anxiety, dyslexia and other
such mental or psychological disorders which interfere with a person's ability
to concentrate and focus.