First Year Challenging For College Students

The Dean of Students for Marian University says not all students will succeed in their first year of college. Paul Krikau says the number one thing is showing up for classes. He says another hurdle is finances. He says college can be expensive and sometimes it is hard to see the goal when you are getting into debt. But he says it is a better return on investment than buying a car. He says finances do affect retention rates. He says drugs and alcohol can also impact student attendance at classes and how they study. He says alcohol is still one of the biggest distractions for a student. Krikau says it’s the first time away from home for some students living in college dorms or student housing. He says it isn’t as structured as when you were attending high school so you have to keep your mind on your goal.