According to Sarah Todd from Griffin University, as mentioned in the third edition of the Connected Student Report, students now have much higher expectations for their educational institutions’ support services.
Todd states that if these institutions can meet and exceed these increased expectations, students will remain involved and have a positive outlook.
She adds that students who feel engaged and positive are more likely to continue their studies, make better academic progress, and consider further education opportunities after graduating or as their careers advance – all of which help with student retention at the institution.
This comprehensive guide explores practical strategies and ways to improve student retention. It also uncovers innovative approaches to develop an environment conducive to academic success and personal growth.
It also delves into the critical strategies for increasing enrollment retention and graduation rates in higher education, from fostering a supportive community to implementing data-driven interventions and delivering personalized experiences.
By understanding the factors influencing student persistence and using a holistic approach, institutions can pave the way for increased enrollment retention, elevated graduation rates, and a brighter future for their students.
Understanding Student Retention
What is student retention, and why does it matter?
Retention is like a school’s heartbeat – it shows how many students stay and finish their degrees.
When students leave without graduating, it can lead to problems. They might end up with lower-paying jobs, fewer chances, and struggles that make it hard to help their community.
But why do students leave?
Sometimes, school becomes too difficult, and students need more proper support. Other times, it is because of money problems, feeling lonely, or not knowing what will happen.
Understanding these reasons helps schools find better ways to improve student retention and guide students from start to finish.
So, retention is not just about numbers – it is about ensuring every student has a chance to succeed and celebrate reaching their goals with their school family.
Factors Influencing and Increasing Student Retention
Increasing student retention rates benefits colleges by ensuring financial stability and enhancing the institution’s reputation.
Here are some other examples:
- Increased revenue: When students graduate on time, colleges receive more tuition fees, which helps keep the institution financially stable and supports ongoing operations.
- A better reputation: The college’s high graduation rate reflects positively on itself, signaling to prospective students and employers that it provides quality education and effectively supports student success.
- Successful alum network: Graduates succeed in their careers, becoming valuable contributors to their professions and communities. This success reflects positively on the college, attracting more students and promoting a solid alumni network.
However, the benefits of retention extend to students as well.
- Better jobs: Graduating opens doors to a broader range of career opportunities with higher salaries and more significant potential for career advancement.
- More money: Graduates typically earn significantly more over their lifetimes than those who do not complete college, leading to more excellent financial stability and opportunities for personal growth.
- Making a difference: With a college degree, students can pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to their communities, positively impacting society.
- Reduced debt: Dropping out leaves students with student loan debt but without the earning potential of a degree. Graduating minimizes the risk of financial hardship and provides a pathway to economic independence.
Ways to Improve Student Retention
Improving student retention is about more than keeping them enrolled; it’s about ensuring their success in their educational journey.
One fundamental approach is delivering personalized experiences tailored to student’s needs. “It feels like the pandemic accelerated the need for flexibility that had not always existed,” said Kedra Ishop, Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Southern California, in the third edition of the Connected Student Report. More than half (57%) of higher education staff surveyed in the report agree, anticipating that flexible learning will increase.
That flexibility can be developed by combining continuous, proactive, personalized student experiences with holistic advising.
By acknowledging that every student has distinct strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, personalized experiences can be crafted to fit them perfectly. This approach develops engagement and success by ensuring students receive the required support and resources.
However, it does not stop there.
Proactive and continuous support are essential components of this approach. Rather than waiting for students to struggle and react, anticipating their needs and offering ongoing assistance create a nurturing learning environment.
This proactive stance empowers students to conquer challenges and stay on course toward their academic goals.
Now, let us dive into practical strategies for implementing personalized experiences to improve student retention.
Delivering personalized experiences
First, delivering customized support services is paramount. Whether it is one-on-one tutoring, personalized counseling sessions, or tailored academic advising, these services address students’ specific needs head-on.
According to Connecting the Dots and Data to Improve Student Success, social integration efforts should go beyond traditional-aged students joining student clubs.
Institutions should consider how adult learners need to bond with other adults so personalized guidance makes students feel seen, heard, and supported, enhancing their academic journey and overall satisfaction.
This flexibility also ensures that education is not confined to the traditional classroom setting.
It can be accessed anytime, anywhere, meeting students where they are and making learning convenient.
Here are strategies that are summarized for improving student retention:
- Delivering personalized support: Offering individualized assistance, such as tutoring, counseling, and mentorship, ensures that students receive the specific help they need to overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals.
- Encouraging flexibility: Providing flexible learning options, such as customizable course schedules and alternative learning formats, accommodates diverse student needs and preferences, enabling them to balance their education with other commitments.
- Accessibility through online learning options: Offering online courses and resources expands access to education for students who may face geographical, logistical, or time constraints. Online learning provides flexibility and
Increase Flexibility and Accessibility
Offering comprehensive advising services is essential for guiding students through their academic journey and improving retention in higher education.
Advisors provide personalized support, assisting students with course selection, academic requirements, and career planning.
They help students make informed decisions and achieve their goals.
Benefits of a single platform for seamless support and communication:
- Streamlined student experience: A centralized platform provides easy access to resources and assistance, reducing confusion and saving time for students and staff.
- Enhanced cross-departmental communication: Collaborative communication ensures that students receive holistic support across various areas of their academic and personal development, promoting their overall success.
In summary, Comprehensive advising services are vital in improving student retention in higher education.
Institutions can create an environment where students thrive by implementing centralized support platforms and enhancing cross-departmental communication. Prioritizing flexibility and accessibility further contributes to better retention rates and academic achievement.
Career Services and Financial Support, Strategies to Increase Enrollment Retention and Graduation Rates
According to the Connected Student Report, nearly half (47%) of students reported selecting their institution for career prospects, but only 11% felt prepared for work post-graduation.
Expand Career Services
Institutions must begin communicating the long-term value and career opportunities linked to a degree even before students arrive at orientation. Expanded career services can help students feel prepared for the future of work, improving their overall experience and increasing retention rates.
The Connected Student Report shows that many students pick their university based on future career opportunities. Still, most feel they need more time to prepare for the job market after graduating. Universities must highlight the long-term benefits and career paths linked to their degrees, even before new students arrive.
Providing better career preparation services can significantly improve the overall student experience and help retain more students. According to the report, students who felt well-prepared for the working world were likelier to have an excellent university experience.
To better prepare students for careers, universities could:
- Start a mentoring program on day one, pairing students with alums in their field for resume help, networking advice, etc.
- Schedule regular meetings with academic advisors to discuss staying on track for career goals.
- Partner with local businesses to create more internship opportunities for hands-on experience.
Universities can create a more positive and supportive environment by actively preparing students for their future careers, leading to higher student satisfaction and retention.
Financial support is Student Support:
Financial stability is essential for students to concentrate on their studies effectively. Here are some bullet points, and let us read more:
- Financial Assistance Programs: These programs utilize online platforms to streamline the application process for scholarships, grants, and loans, alleviating financial burdens and enabling access to education.
- Budgeting Resources: Offering online financial literacy education modules and tools to help students manage their finances and budget resources.
- Retention Impact: Leveraging online platforms for financial support reduces dropout rates, ensuring all students can thrive academically with fewer financial barriers.
Additionally, increasing scholarship opportunities reduces financial stress, makes education more accessible, and motivates students to excel. These strategies support students financially and encourage them to remain enrolled and graduate, ultimately contributing to improved retention rates and academics.
A Guide to Implementing Retention Strategies
Implementing effective retention strategies is vital for ensuring student success and improving student retention in higher education.
Importance of defining success: Setting clear goals and outcomes for students is essential for guiding them toward success. It provides a roadmap and helps them focus on academic and personal development.
- This resource offers students clear guidance and direction.
- Guides institutions in aligning efforts to support student achievement.
Connecting Early and Often: Early engagement and fostering connections with advisors, staff, and faculty are crucial for student success. Building solid relationships creates a supportive network that students can rely on for guidance and assistance throughout their academic journey.
- Early engagement builds trust and rapport.
- Facilitates timely support and intervention when needed.
Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data analytics to identify at-risk students allows institutions to intervene early and provide targeted support. By analyzing student data, colleges can identify patterns and trends indicating that students need additional assistance to succeed.
- Data analytics reveal patterns in student behavior.
- Enables the provision of proactive assistance to students who are facing difficulties.
Intervention and Support: Implementing early intervention programs is vital for supporting at-risk students and preventing them from falling behind. Proactive strategies, such as academic tutoring, counseling services, and mentorship programs, help students overcome challenges and stay on track toward graduation.
- Early intervention prevents issues from escalating.
- Provides targeted support to keep students on track.
Building Community & Engagement: Creating a sense of belonging and a strong community is essential for student retention. When students feel connected to their peers and campus community, they are likelier to persist and succeed academically.
- Community fosters a sense of belonging and support.
- Encouraging collaboration and promoting peer learning are critical aspects of effective learning and development.
Listening to Student Voices: Gathering student feedback allows institutions to better understand their needs and preferences. By listening to student voices, colleges can identify areas for improvement and tailor retention strategies to better meet the needs of their student population.
- Student feedback informs institutional decisions.
- Continuously improves retention strategies.
These strategies can be facilitated through online platforms such as Jumbula, which offer centralized access to resources and facilitate communication between students and staff, enhancing the effectiveness of retention initiatives.
Building a Supportive Community to Improving Student Retention
Building a supportive community is foundational to improving student retention in any educational setting.
Institutions can create an environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed by:
- Creating Connections: Encourage networking and interaction among members to establish strong relationships, which form the cornerstone of a supportive environment.
- Promoting Inclusivity: Ensure everyone feels valued and included regardless of background or identity. Embracing diversity enriches the community and encourages empathy and understanding among its members.
- Providing Resources: Offer access to a comprehensive range of resources and support services tailored to address various needs, from academic assistance to mental health support. A well-equipped community empowers individuals to overcome challenges and thrive.
- Encouraging Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration where members actively engage in teamwork and cooperation to achieve common goals. Collaborative efforts promote innovation and creativity and contribute to shared success and a sense of belonging.
- Celebrating Achievements: Recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of community members, whether they are students, faculty, or staff. Acknowledging achievements fosters a positive atmosphere, boosts morale, and reinforces a sense of pride and belonging within the community.
- Promoting Open Communication: Create channels for open communication and constructive feedback to facilitate dialogue among members. By listening to the voices of the community, institutions can build trust, address concerns, and continuously improve their support systems.
- Supporting Growth: Provide opportunities for personal and professional development, including workshops, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities. Empowering individuals to grow and succeed benefits them personally and contributes to the overall growth and success of the community.
By implementing the strategies for improving student retention, institutions can cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community that enhances student retention and promotes a positive and supportive learning environment for all its members.
Creating a Feeling of Belonging to Retain Students
According to the Connected Student Report, students with a great onboarding experience are 35 times more likely to have a tremendous overall university experience. Additionally, a 73% correlation between a positive onboarding experience and a positive overall university experience shows that belonging is foundational for student retention.
Here are two ways to improve student retention according to a sense of belonging:
Providing Proactive Tools for Student Well-being: In just six years, student anxiety in higher education institutions jumped from 17% to 31%, according to a study by the
Healthy Minds Network and the American College Health Association.
Colleges need to know whether their students get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise to combat this. Access to well-being resources like nutritionists, a gym, and mental health professionals like psychiatrists can be woven into student retention plans to support students holistically throughout their higher education experience.
Offering mental health resources, counseling services, and academic support programs ensures that students have the necessary assistance to navigate challenges effectively. By addressing their emotional and educational needs, institutions demonstrate their commitment to student success and well-being.
Creating a Supportive Community Environment: Establishing clubs, organizations, and events fosters a sense of community and belonging among students.
These platforms provide opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and personal growth outside the classroom, enhancing students’ overall college experience and strengthening their connection to the institution.
By implementing these strategies, institutions can cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive academically and personally.
Benefits of Encouraging Autonomy
Encouraging student autonomy is critical to increasing enrollment retention and graduation rates.
Empowering students to take control of their academic journey builds confidence and encourages ownership of their learning process.
It also has numerous benefits for improving retention in higher education that we uncover one by one:
- Builds confidence and self-reliance: By empowering students to take control of their academic journey, we help them develop confidence in their abilities and become more self-reliant in navigating challenges.
- Encourages ownership of their academic journey: When students feel empowered to make decisions about their education, they take ownership of their learning process, leading to increased engagement and commitment to their studies.
- Empowering Students: When students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning journey, they become more engaged and motivated. This empowerment allows them to pursue their interests, set goals, and decide their academic path. Schools should start encouraging autonomy and self-directed learning to achieve this goal.
Fostering a sense of autonomy in students empowers them to take ownership of their education and actively participate in their learning process. By encouraging self-directed learning, colleges can help students develop the skills and mindset needed for long-term success.
Data-Driven Interventions, Ways to Improve Student Retention
Navigating student success requires a compass—data. Let’s explore how tapping into data can guide proactive support for students, starting with identifying warning signs, establishing intervention processes, and leveraging learning analytics.
Tracking Warning Signs
Picture this: data as a radar, spotting signals of student struggles early on. Schools can intervene promptly by monitoring attendance and grades to help students navigate rough waters and stay on course.
Implementing Intervention Processes
When the storm clouds gather, having a plan matters. With clear intervention protocols involving teachers, advisors, and support staff, schools can provide tailored assistance to needy students, ensuring no one gets lost in the fog.
Leveraging Learning Analytics
In the realm of numbers, insights abound. By tapping into learning analytics, schools gain a deeper understanding of student performance and behaviors, enabling them to forecast outcomes and offer personalized support tailored to each student’s journey.
Innovative Strategies for Improving Student Retention
Innovative strategies are crucial in increasing student retention ensuring active student engagement and success.
By focusing on enriching extracurricular experiences, offering flexible scheduling, and providing personalized advising, institutions can create a dynamic learning environment tailored to individual student needs.
Enriching Experiences Outside the Classroom
Education extends far beyond the confines of lecture halls. Through diverse extracurricular activities, internships, and community service opportunities, students embark on a journey of holistic development, nurturing their passions and expanding their horizons.
Flexible Scheduling and Guided Pathways
Life is unpredictable, but education should not be. By adapting to student needs with flexible scheduling options and offering structured academic plans, institutions provide a supportive environment where students can thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
Holistic Advising for Student Success
Holistic advising is a cornerstone in improving student retention. It offers comprehensive support across academic, personal, and career-related domains. Through personalized sessions facilitated by online platforms, institutions provide tailored guidance to students, enhancing their success outcomes and ultimately bolstering retention and graduation rates.
Online advising platforms comprehensively support academic, personal, and career-related issues.
Individualized Attention: Providing personalized advising sessions via online platforms to assist students in overcoming obstacles and achieving objectives effectively.
Success Outcomes: Holistic advising facilitated by online systems drives enhanced student outcomes, bolstering retention and graduation rates by providing tailored support and guidance.
Holistic advising, focusing on comprehensive support and individualized attention, emerges as a powerful strategy for improving student retention.
Online platforms like Jumbula help institutions meet students’ diverse needs, ensuring success and engagement in higher education.
Creating a Personalized Student Journey (Increase Engagement & Retention)
Crafting a personalized student journey is not just about meeting academic requirements; it is about igniting passion and fostering engagement, all while boosting retention rates.
By tailoring learning experiences to match individual needs and leveraging the flexibility of online registration systems, institutions pave the way for a dynamic and fulfilling educational adventure.
Here are some examples :
Engagement Initiatives: Introducing personalized engagement tactics, such as targeted notifications and reminders, to maintain students’ enthusiasm for learning.
Retention Benefits: Personalized journeys heightened by online registration systems drive student contentment and elevate retention rates by simplifying course selection and scheduling.
Through tailored experiences and strategic engagement initiatives, institutions can create an environment where students feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed.
Through the potential of online registration systems, schools simplify the path to academic success, ultimately driving higher retention rates and student satisfaction.
Wrap up
Improving student retention is an ongoing effort that demands a comprehensive approach, but the rewards are immeasurable.
By fostering a supportive community, delivering personalized experiences, leveraging data-driven interventions, and exploring innovative solutions, institutions can create an environment that empowers students to thrive academically and personally.
However, one powerful tool that can significantly aid in this mission is Jumbula, an online registration software designed to streamline the student experience.
Jumbula centralizes resources and facilitates seamless communication between students and staff, simplifying course registration, advising, and access to support services – key factors that can significantly impact retention rates.
With features like email and text campaigns, live activity reminders, and campaign management, Jumbula empowers institutions to engage students proactively and keep them motivated throughout their academic journey.
Furthermore, Jumbula’s reporting and insights capabilities provide valuable data-driven insights, allowing institutions to monitor student attendance, class setup, program schedules, and capacities, enabling proactive interventions and tailored support.
Additionally, Jumbula’s robust payment options, including discounts, coupons, payment plans, and recurring billing, alleviate financial burdens, a significant barrier to student retention.
Do not just take our word for it – experience the transformative power of Jumbula with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
This platform can simplify student success by keeping learners engaged and on track.
Invest in students’ futures by prioritizing retention, and let Jumbula be the partner in creating a transformative educational experience.
