Though many parents encourage students to work during college, a high number of working hours may actually interfere with education. Students who work more than 25 hours a week may struggle to manage their time. When economic necessity means that students must work, financial pressures often cause students to drop out. Students in the working world tend to become more distanced from college life and college peers, which means there are fewer factors pulling them toward graduation. Further, when students work full time, they may be offered opportunities that seem better than the hard work of college, but which may not provide many career prospects over the course of a lifetime.
Financial hardship is a significant risk factor for dropping out of college. Students who lose financial aid and scholarships may drop out because of lack of funding or out of fear of telling their parents about the lost funding. Students whose families face economic pressures may struggle to remain focused on school. For students of low socioeconomic status, the long-term gains of college may seem less rewarding than the short-term gains of a job.
Many students, especially those who excelled in high school, have high hopes for college. They look forward to an intense academic community, a wider circle of friends or freedom from the stresses of high school. Unfortunately, many students find that college does not live up to their expectations. Cliques still exist, roommates pose a challenge and classes may be boring. For students whose expectations are dashed, particularly students who get unexpected bad grades, dropping out may seem like an appealing option.
Depression is extraordinarily common among adolescents and adults in their early 20s. It can make accomplishing simple tasks difficult and can increase the challenges posed by major life changes. Consequently, depression may cause students to drop out. Depressed students may already be struggling with making good grades and developing relationships with peers, so may wish to escape the pressures of college life.