Why College Administrators Must Act Now on Academic Support—Before Students Leave

The start of the spring semester marks a critical juncture for colleges and universities across the country. For countless students, particularly first-year and at-risk learners, this semester is a make-or-break moment. Without urgent, proactive academic support, many students will struggle to keep up and make the heartbreaking decision to transfer or leave their institution entirely. This is not just a possibility—it’s a reality backed by research, and institutions cannot afford to delay action.

The Urgency of the Spring Semester

Research shows that students are most likely to decide whether to persist, transfer, or drop out during their first year—and for many, the spring semester is when those decisions are made. Challenges experienced in the fall, whether academic struggles, financial stress, or a lack of social belonging, often compound in the spring without meaningful intervention. Students are now faced with the daunting task of pulling themselves out of academic difficulties or risking dismissal if their grades do not improve. Institutions that fail to act risk losing these students permanently.

For first-year students in particular, academic performance in the spring term often determines their confidence and persistence. Early struggles in foundational courses, such as math, science, or writing, can lead to feelings of defeat and disengagement. Students required to retake these courses may face further delays in their path to graduation, exacerbating financial stress. Without adequate support, these students often feel abandoned and disconnected, which increases the likelihood of departure.

The numbers are sobering: nearly 30% of first-year undergraduates do not return for their second year. Students who leave face long-term setbacks, including wasted time, student loan debt without a degree, and diminished earning potential. For institutions, the consequences include declining enrollment, financial losses, and reputational harm. Smaller, regionally focused colleges and liberal arts institutions are particularly vulnerable to these challenges. To address this crisis, institutions must move beyond traditional interventions like academic probation and instead implement proactive measures that connect students to resources before it’s too late.

The Role of Academic Support in Preventing Departure

Academic support services are essential for student success and institutional stability. Effective interventions—like peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, and workshops on time management—provide students with the tools they need to overcome challenges and regain their footing. Research underscores the impact of these programs:

• Higher Retention Rates: Students who feel supported and engaged are significantly more likely to remain enrolled and complete their degrees.
• Improved Academic Outcomes: Peer tutoring and targeted support improve performance in challenging courses, which are often pivotal for students considering departure.
• Strengthened Belonging: Academic support programs foster meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and faculty—connections that are vital to retention.

Without these supports, the likelihood of attrition will increase, costing both students and institutions dearly.

Immediate Steps Administrators Must Take

1. Identify At-Risk Students Quickly: Institutions must prioritize identifying students who struggled in the fall semester or are showing early signs of disengagement. Tools like early alert systems, midterm check-ins, and proactive advising can pinpoint those most at risk.
2. Promote Academic Support Resources Aggressively: Awareness campaigns should highlight available services, including tutoring centers, study groups, and academic coaching, via email, social media, classroom announcements, and advisor outreach.
3. Expand Peer Tutoring and Mentorship: Scaling up peer tutoring and mentorship programs can provide vital support, foster belonging, and improve academic performance.
4. Equip Faculty and Advisors to Intervene: Faculty and advisors are often the first to notice when students are struggling. They should be empowered with pathways to connect students to support services.
5. Ensure Support Is Accessible and Flexible: Virtual tutoring, after-hours sessions, and flexible scheduling are critical for engaging busy or commuter students.
6. Monitor Outcomes and Adapt: Administrators should track usage rates, outcomes, and feedback to ensure resources reach the students who need them most.
   
   

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to double down on academic support now will lead to irreversible consequences. Students who feel abandoned will leave—taking their potential, tuition dollars, and trust with them. The long-term implications are severe: declining retention, reputational damage, and the financial toll of recruiting new students to replace those who depart.

This spring, academic support must be an institutional priority. The cost of inaction is too high, and the window for meaningful intervention is closing. By investing now, administrators can help students turn struggles into success stories, fostering persistence and a sense of belonging that keeps them on track to graduation.

If we fail to act now, we risk losing these students. And that’s a risk no institution can afford to take.

Make sure you're supporting your first-year and at-risk learners during critical moments. Schedule a call with Knack to learn how we can help you provide vital support, foster belonging, and improve academic performance.