causes of student failure essay

• Observation on the Teacher and Students Words: 626
• Observation of the Students With IEP Words: 1508
• The Puente Project: A National Model for Student Success Words: 1083
• Common Currency for Teachers and Students Words: 844
• Gifted and Talented Students Words: 587
• Can Retention Be Good for a Student? Words: 2887
• Student Lounge in Educational Institutions Words: 566
• Preparing Students for College Words: 829
• Student Experiences and Teaching Styles Words: 1133
• Education for Gifted Students Words: 551
• Inclusivity Education for Disabled Students Words: 1209
• Classroom Practices and Students’ Attitudes Toward Science Words: 3026

Causes of Students’ Failure and Success

Introduction, failure of students.

Every year thousands of graduates look for jobs with degrees and diplomas that they do not deserve. On getting the jobs employers realize that their employees are not competent enough to do the job efficiently, this is because most graduates cheated their way through the education system. Some of the employees who would be lucky will go back to school to gain the required knowledge to do their job. According to Sherry, 1991 many students wish they had someone to point them in the right direction when they were doing drugs and partying a lot without any studies.

One of the major factors influencing the success of a person is his education system. Learning institutions are made of different teachers with different teaching methods. A teacher may decide to make a student look good by giving him/her good grades not because the student deserves the grades but because the student is highly disciplined and does not cause any trouble (Sherry, 1991). By doing so the teacher is not helping the student’s future cause eventually he/she will be on his/her own and would not be able to reproduce what his/her certificates contain. Similarly when a student causes trouble the same instructor would threaten him/her with a flank hoping to change their character and should the student not change they will fail them intentionally just to show them that they run the show in school. That is to show the trump card of failure.

The whole debate brings us to the question: what causes students’ failure and who is to blame?

A student’s future whether he will succeed in life mainly depends on his education system. If he had a good education system then his probability of having a better life is high and if the system was poor, the opposite is true. An education system comprises of the student and his environment, where his environment includes: the school, his teachers, parents and the whole family as a whole.

Failure in a student’s future can be influenced by many factors. For instance, a student could be well-mannered, obedient but not bright enough. During examinations and assessments the teacher decides to pass him even though he does not deserve the pass. The teacher does this just to save him the embarrassment of being called a flank. The scholar goes through the system passing all levels and eventually graduates. Due to his good ‘grades’ he is employed in his field of study. Employers expect much from them but in the long run they end up disappointed, this is because the students were cheated by their education systems. Sooner or later they are fired from their place of work reason being they could not perform according to their standards. In this case their teachers are to blame for their failure. This is because they chose to spare their scholars the short-term embarrassment and thus causing them a lifetime embarrassment. It would have been better if the intellectual was given whatever grade he/she deserved. In that way they would know how good they were and probably look for a way of improving their grades or even better look for something they are good in (Sherry, 1991).

Parents too have influence on their children’s future. They tend to be overconfident in their children’s performance. For example a parent who is a doctor and would wish his/her to be doctor will influence their children making them believe they could be doctors when actually they can’t. They will dictate how their children should perform to drive their point of making their children believe they can be doctors. If evaluated from a different perspective they are right in believing in their sons and daughters, but what they forget is that whatever dreams they are fighting for are theirs and not their children’s. Finally, an intellectual ends up doing what he cannot; hence, they are not able to realize their dreams. In so doing the parents contribute a great deal in ruining their children’s future. If they can let children find what they can do best and help them achieve their dreams they would have done their children more good than making them pass hoping to make them what to be brighter in future.

Parents and teachers become selfish when they make themselves look good by intentionally passing their students just to build a good name for themselves, but instead they are destroying their children’s future, they should let them endure the embarrassment then and enjoy later on.

Generally, a child’s success entirely depends on his environment. His teachers and parents have a great influence in determining their future. They can either build it or destroy it. If they both can realize a student’s potential they can easily help him/her out instead of lying to them that they are better than what they are. A scholar’s attitude has great influence in determining his future. If he/she too can realize their potential they can influence their life through the education system by demanding what they deserve and not accepting what is given to them on a silver platter. It can be concluded that all parties (parents, teachers and students themselves) are responsible for a child’s future and should all take the blame in case of a failure.

Gracia, Louise. An exploration of student failure on undergraduate accounting programme of study, 2002. Web.

Sherry, Mary In praise of the “F” word, 1991.2010 Web.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, December 29). Causes of Students’ Failure and Success. https://studycorgi.com/causes-of-students-failure-and-success/

"Causes of Students’ Failure and Success." StudyCorgi , 29 Dec. 2021, studycorgi.com/causes-of-students-failure-and-success/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'Causes of Students’ Failure and Success'. 29 December.

1. StudyCorgi . "Causes of Students’ Failure and Success." December 29, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/causes-of-students-failure-and-success/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Causes of Students’ Failure and Success." December 29, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/causes-of-students-failure-and-success/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "Causes of Students’ Failure and Success." December 29, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/causes-of-students-failure-and-success/.

This paper, “Causes of Students’ Failure and Success”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 10, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Student Editorial Contest Winner

Lessons From Failure

This essay, by Sophie S. Ding, is one of the top 9 winners in the high school category of our Seventh Annual Student Editorial Contest for which we received 6,076 entries.

By The Learning Network

This week, we are publishing the work of all the winners and runners-up in the high school and middle school categories of our Seventh Annual Student Editorial Contest . You can find them all in this column .

“Lessons From Failure” by Sophie S. Ding, age 16, River Dell High School, Oradell, N.J.

There it is. Among the countless 100s, I see it: a 37. A hideous, black mark in the grade book. I had to nearly restrain my mother from pouncing on the phone to call my teacher. “Let me handle it,” I said. Uneasily and reluctantly, she did. She, thankfully, is not a snowplow parent.

According to an article in The New York Times, snowplow parents clear the road for their children to chug ahead on their perfect path to success. It’s why some students turn in homework handwritten by middle-aged adults, why a sophomore girl’s dad picks her up the period before every math test, why lunches flood the main office, delivered by parents of forgetful students. Perhaps students are all too happy to have parents control their lives. Or maybe parents don’t listen and need to run the show. Both need to rethink their positions.

Stellar grades and fancy admission letters seem like “proof” that parents’ meticulous managing and manipulating produces results. On paper, today’s seniors look successful: lists of APs, high test scores, varsity letters, unique community service projects, ability to play fifteen instruments while simultaneously winning chess competitions.

The reality? Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims of Stanford University observes these same students, now at prestigious universities, constantly calling home for advice, special packages, and help with basic tasks like registering for classes or contacting professors.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

How Do Students Perceive Academic Failure?

Failure is commonly associated with attrition, or “dropping out.” As a shared experience among undergraduate students, many studies have identified factors that contribute to attrition. However, there has been a gap in the literature on students’ perceptions of failure. In order to understand failure from the students’ standpoint, Ajjawi et al. (2020) aimed to answer the following three research questions:

• What proportion of students fail and how does academic failure influence their likelihood to persist or drop out?
• What are persisting students’ perceptions of precipitating factors for academic failure?
• What are persisting students’ emotional responses to academic failure? (p. 188)

For the study, Ajjawi et al. (2020) collected institutional data about enrollment status and course completion from over 9,000 students in an Australian college. To answer these questions, the researchers focused on the data of approximately 200 students, who had failed at least one course during their 2016 academic year, but persisted (or continued) with their studies.

Findings indicated the following about the first research question: 23% to 52% of students experienced failure. Students who failed were 4.19 times more likely to drop out than students who did not fail. However, that did not mean students who failed decided to drop out. Instead, data indicated that approximately 70% of students who failed one or more courses still persisted with their studies.

In response to the second research question, data showed that failure was multifaceted. It incorporated dispositional (students' character-related), situational (life circumstances), and institutional (procedures, policies, and structure of students' institutions) factors. Dispositional factors were defined as the students’ characteristics, such as their skills, abilities, beliefs, and self-confidence. Situational factors referred to the students’ life circumstances, including health concerns, employment status, and responsibilities outside of school. Lastly, institutional factors were operationalized as procedures, policies, and structures of the institution that the student was enrolled at.

The most common dispositional factors that contributed to failure were poor time management, lack of interest in the course, difficulty understanding the material, and personal lifestyle. Some prevalent situational factors included mental or physical health, financial responsibilities, and family responsibilities. Lastly, the most prevalent institutional factors were that there was too much memorization, the material was unengaging, and there was a lack of support from the staff and university. Though the three factors seemed independent of each other, they actually worked in conjunction, thus indicating the complexity of students’ decisions to persist or not. Students’ identities, both inside and outside of school, as well as the support they received from their institutions of education influenced students’ decisions about continuing their education.

Furthermore, student responses revealed that they had negative emotional responses to and conceptualization of academic failure. Many students correlated failure with disappointment towards the self. As a result, failure led to the loss of confidence and self-efficacy. 

Overall, the study debunked the notion that most students who fail will drop out of college. It also served to inform institutions of higher education to support students who are failing, so that they can recover from the academic failure, and persist with their education.

The study’s findings and the research questions also highlighted the current work being done at EPIC. Similar to the third research question, EPIC tries to understand students’ perception of failure by asking high school students to describe failure and to understand students’ stories of failure in school. Our data revealed that disappointment is a common theme associated with failure corresponding to the findings of Ajjawi et al. (2020).

To learn more about the study, visit the following link for the article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07294360.2019.1664999 .

Ajjawi, R., et al. (2020). Persisting students’ explanations of and emotional responses to academic failure. Higher Education Research & Development, 39 (2), 185-199.

Published Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021

Overcoming Fear of Academic Failure: Reasons Why Students Fail vs. Thrive

Students who want to succeed are often, understandably, afraid of failure. 

Failure is on the minds of many students, especially those with lofty goals like college degrees and more. Similarly, parents of students are afraid of seeing their children fall prey to academic failure, since so much of today’s modern society seems to depend on academic success for upward mobility.

Of course, avoiding academic failure does not always depend on the student alone. Plenty of students find themselves in situations that can make success hard, often due to socioeconomic status and issues with education inequality. These are important issues to address and are very complex. 

For today, we will focus on cases where academic failure refers to the inability of a student with access to all necessary resources to forge ahead. The essential question then becomes, how do students get in the way of their own success?

Reasons for Student Failure

Failure is actually crucial to learning - we can learn from these mistakes and course correct, gaining resilience along the way. However, when students completely fail academically, this means that they are unable to overcome the small failures over time to learn and grow and eventually succeed.

There are many causes of student failure, and usually more than one is at play. But here are some common reasons for student academic failure, starting with perhaps the most insidious: fear.

Fear of Failure

Fear of failure, or even fear of success, causes failure. This seems a bit contradictory, but it’s unfortunately true. Many students allow their fear to overcome their ability to complete essential tasks that will help them succeed academically.

Some students fear failure, so they neglect their studies and stop trying, hoping that if they do not try then they will not have to feel bad about failing. This kind of fear can occur in students who are overachievers or who do not believe in themselves academically. Educators and parents can help students overcome their fear of failure by reminding them that they can learn from failure when they experience it.

Fear of Success

Other students fear success, which is common among students who are worried about the responsibilities they will face if they succeed or the ways their lives might change once they succeed. They might fear college life or a difficult career if they should succeed. Sometimes students are afraid of leaving others, like family members or friends, behind if they succeed.

These students need to be reminded that they are in control of their lives and can decide how far they go. But if they do not reach their full potential, they will be depriving the world of their gifts.

2. Lack of Preparation

Other students fail from a lack of preparation. This can sometimes mean that they did not do the work they needed to along the way or put off necessary steps like studying for tests, finishing key assignments, or completing college applications.

Students who lack preparation might have allowed their learning to fall short during school without seeking the help they needed to understand material and now feel they are too behind to catch up.

Fear of failure or success can actually lead to a lack of preparation, while other times, students do not prepare for other reasons, like laziness.

3. Lack of Motivation

Sometimes students lack motivation, so they become apathetic. When students are unmotivated, they might feel that academic success doesn’t matter or that they will never achieve it. Students who lack motivation might have experienced a good deal of failure early on in their education and feel there is no point in trying any longer.

These students need to find a “why” when it comes to academic success, a reason that will motivate them to achieve their goals. A motivation can come from a career goal, a desire for a future accomplishment, the hope to be financially stable, or even the desire to give back to the community or family members.

Overcoming Fear of Failure

Since failure is a natural part of life and necessary on the way to success, fear of academic failure often happens for students when they have come across a major challenge or roadblock.

With the knowledge that failure is necessary, students can certainly adopt certain mindsets and create habits that help them overcome failure to then reach success. Here are some tips on how to overcome fear of failure as a student.

Accept Failure as a Necessary Part of Life

Once students can accept failure as part of their academic journey, they might have an easier time facing failure in general. The ironic part of this truth is that the only way to avoid failure is to embrace it. If you can realize that you will absolutely fail in pursuit of success, the idea of failure will no longer feel so scary.

However, it is also important to realize that every failure will require you to overcome. You can fail, but then you must learn from that failure and try again.

Have Compassion for Yourself

In order to deal with failure, you must also have great compassion for yourself. Every human being makes mistakes, so if you make a mistake or find yourself on the wrong path, know that you can always redirect. Beating yourself up will never help you overcome failure, but recognizing why you might have failed and learning from it will always help.

Try to process every failure, allow yourself to heal from it, learn what you need to in order to improve, and then come back with a new approach.

Adopt a Mindset of Resilience

The ability to learn from failure and keep working toward your goals anyway comes from adopting a resilience mindset. This takes practice, but you can train yourself to understand that failure is part of life and then be willing to keep trying anyway.

An important aspect of resilience is the desire to learn from mistakes. Even if you fail, knowing that you can find a solution and work toward your goals in new ways should help you overcome failure.

Set Realistic, Smaller Goals Toward a Larger Goal

One way to lessen the fear of failure is to set smaller goals that are more realistic to accomplish. This might mean setting a goal to get a higher grade on your next test or to understand one new concept in a class that is difficult for you.

By achieving small goals that lead you toward a larger academic goal, you will feel more confident along the way and be able to celebrate each accomplishment .

Tips for Students to Thrive Academically

Everyone learns differently, so tips that work for one student might not work for another. That said, all students can benefit from important study tips to help prepare them for success, like these: 

Study early and often.

Keep track of academic deadlines.

Write down your goals.

Ask for help from your teachers . 

Be kind to yourself along the way.

Know your “why” or motivation for success.

Seek support from peers you admire.

Keep going.

With these tips in mind, along with a resilience mindset, there is no reason to fear failure. Utilize your resources and keep working toward your goals. Success is not a straight line! You will fail, but failure is part of the process.

Follow us on Social Media

The Effects Failing or Failure Can Have on College Students and Their College Success

A student’s time at college is frequently viewed as a pivotal time in their lives, one that is filled with several difficulties and hardships. College students may fail along the road, and success in college is not guaranteed. College failure can significantly impact pupils and their ability to succeed there. It can even reach the point where the students are compelled to leave school. Nevertheless, for many college students today, failing has become the norm. Although pursuing higher education has obstacles and difficulties, students are frequently expected to achieve and perform well in the classroom. They all should maintain higher grades to be placed in proper job positions after they finish their studies. However, when the students maintain a failing position, their academic life can be affected, and so their overall success. In this essay, we will examine the effects of failure on college students and their college success.

The first effect of failure is that it causes a decline in academic performance. This effect can be understood by examining some of the consequences of academic load on the success of first-year college students. Compared to students who took on a more significant academic load, those who took on a lighter one had better grades, higher retention rates, and were more likely to graduate, according to research (Szafran, 2001). These results imply that the amount of academic work a student has to do can significantly impact whether or not they will succeed in college. Kids who fail because they must do more work may struggle to succeed there. Students with a heavier academic load would experience some courses with more incredible difficulty, which can hinder their performance throughout the semester (Szafran, 2001). These students are more likely to decline in their overall performance through college if they keep the courses they are taking to lighter ones that can make them perform better.

Moreover, failure can make pupils feel different emotions, such as tension, anxiety, and low self-esteem. These feelings can make it difficult for students to concentrate and focus, affecting their performance on tests and assignments. Failure can also decrease motivation and engagement, making students lose interest in their academic work (Szafran, 2001). These consequences might jeopardize the students’ overall achievement, causing them to graduate with low grades, and they would impact the students when they enter their professional lives. Hence, the students, teachers, and parents should be responsible for monitoring the student’s coursework and ensuring they are well-contented with it while in college and that they are not burdened with whatever they are doing for them to be successful.

The second effect of failure is its negative impact on a student’s mental health and well-being. Academic failure can increase anxiety and stress levels, which can result in poor mental health, according to research by (Ruthig et al., 2004). Academic failure can lead to feelings of shame or humiliation in students, which can make the mental health issues of the students worse. Failure can lead to mental health problems, making it harder for kids to achieve academic success, creating a vicious cycle. Colleges must therefore offer tools to support students’ mental health and well-being, especially those with academic difficulties.

According to the research, numerous college students who struggled academically were found to not be in excellent mental health. These pupils have gone through a certain amount of mental suffering due to having to deal with humiliation from their classmates for failing and threats from teachers who expected them to succeed (Ruthig et al., 2004). It is highlighted that these children frequently face a vicious cycle that contributes to mental illness and causes them to struggle in school and their daily lives. To investigate the role of attributional retention and optimism in college achievement, (Ruthig et al., 2004) also carried out another study. This study aimed to investigate the possible impacts of failure on college students’ mental health. According to the study, students who had attributional retraining had better academic performance, less exam anxiety, and were less likely to deliberately drop out of classes (Ruthig et al., 2004). According to these findings, dropping out of college might result in unfavourable feelings like worry and low self-esteem, which can further harm one’s chances of succeeding.

The third effect of failure is reduced retention and graduation rates. Failure can increase a student’s likelihood of dropping out of school or lengthen the time it takes to earn their degree. This may negatively impact their financial security and job prospects in the long run. Students who repeatedly fail classes or semesters may also be placed on academic probation or expelled, further reducing their prospects of succeeding in college. The study by (Ruthig et al., 2004) investigated how failure affected college students’ retention and graduation rates. The study looks at how attributional retraining and optimism can assist students in dealing with failure and enhancing their academic performance. According to the study, college students who failed were more inclined to voluntarily drop their classes, which decreased their chances of graduating on time. According to the authors, failure might result in unpleasant feelings like worry, melancholy, and hopelessness, which can diminish students’ motivation and interest in their studies (Ruthig et al., 2004). As a result, these unfavourable feelings may cause college students’ retention and graduation rates to decline.

The authors also contend that attributional retraining and optimism can lessen the detrimental effects of failure on retention and graduation rates. As opposed to attributional retraining, which is altering how one assigns the causes of their success or failure, optimism is the conviction that favourable outcomes will result from one’s activities (Ruthig et al., 2004). The authors contend that students might keep their desire and interest in their studies by being taught to see failure as a momentary setback and a learning opportunity. The study also discovered that students who took part in optimism and the attributional retraining program performed better academically and experienced less test anxiety than students who did not (Ruthig et al., 2004). The authors further contend that the program’s beneficial benefits persisted over time since, six months after it ended, students who got the intervention reported higher levels of optimism and more good explanations for their successes and failures.

Failure has a detrimental effect on college students’ retention and graduation rates, according to a study by Joelle C. Ruthig et al. However, the authors contend that optimism and attributional retraining can aid learners in handling setbacks while preserving their interest and drive for their studies (Ruthig et al., 2004). Colleges and institutions can raise retention and graduation rates and, ultimately, student achievement by instructing students to regard failure as a short setback and a learning opportunity. This would assist them in minimizing some of the negative repercussions that a failure might have on their overall performance (Ruthig et al., 2004). Failure has detrimental implications that go beyond those on academic achievement and mental health. This takes us to the third negative impact of failure, which could impair pupils’ social abilities. Failure’s effects on college life’s social and emotional facets are highlighted in C. Carney Strange’s article “College and its Impact on Students.” Failure can impact a student’s self-esteem and confidence, which might cause them to feel alone and distant from their friends (Strange, 2003). This detachment may result in a lack of involvement in university activities and declining attendance at social gatherings.

Failure can also negatively affect a student’s chances for the future. The National Center for Education Statistics found that college dropouts are less likely to get jobs and make less money than college graduates (Strange, 2003). A student’s future professional possibilities and earning potential might be greatly limited by failing or experiencing failure in college. For students who have dedicated time and money to their education, the financial strain of college can make failure an even worse setback.

In conclusion, the effects of failure on college students and their college success can be significant. The articles reviewed in this essay highlight the importance of academic load, optimism, and attributional retraining in college success. Students who experience failure in college may struggle with negative emotions and reduced confidence, which can further impact their success. Students need to recognize the potential effects of failure in college and take steps to address them, such as seeking academic support, improving study habits, and focusing on personal growth. Ultimately, students can overcome failure and succeed in college with the right mindset and resources. Students must also understand that failure is a regular aspect of learning and can be overcome with the appropriate approach and tools. Students can overcome failure and succeed in college by focusing on personal growth and development and obtaining academic support. While the amount of coursework is essential for college achievement, failing can harm academic performance, mental and emotional health, and future employment prospects. Colleges and universities must offer support and tools to assist students, deal with failure, and build resilience. Students can overcome obstacles and accomplish their objectives in college and beyond by doing this.

Szafran, R. F. (2001). The effect of academic load on success for new college students: Is lighter better?  Research in Higher Education ,  42 , 27-50.

Ruthig, J. C., Perry, R. P., Hall, N. C., & Hladkyj, S. (2004). Optimism and attributional retraining: Longitudinal effects on academic achievement, test anxiety, and voluntary course withdrawal in college students 1.  Journal of Applied Social Psychology ,  34 (4), 709-730.

Strange, C. (2003). College and its Effect on Students.

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Related Essays

Capstone project: stakeholder engagement in gender-sensitive care for trans-women seeking medical care, case study: budget spreadsheet columbia university, new york, integrating technology in education, negative effects of immigration, introduction to the criminal justice system, essay on police brutality, popular essay topics.

• American Dream
• Artificial Intelligence
• Black Lives Matter
• Bullying Essay
• Career Goals Essay
• Causes of the Civil War
• Child Abusing
• Civil Rights Movement
• Community Service
• Cultural Identity
• Cyber Bullying
• Death Penalty
• Depression Essay
• Domestic Violence
• Freedom of Speech
• Global Warming
• Gun Control
• Human Trafficking
• I Believe Essay
• Immigration
• Importance of Education
• Israel and Palestine Conflict
• Leadership Essay
• Legalizing Marijuanas
• Mental Health
• National Honor Society
• Police Brutality
• Pollution Essay
• Racism Essay
• Romeo and Juliet
• Same Sex Marriages
• Social Media
• The Great Gatsby
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• Time Management
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Violent Video Games
• What Makes You Unique
• Why I Want to Be a Nurse
• Send us an e-mail

Essay on Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success

Students are often asked to write an essay on Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success

Introduction.

Failure is often seen as a bad thing. But, if we change our view, we can see it as a stepping stone to success. It’s a chance to learn and grow.

Learning from Mistakes

When we fail, we learn what doesn’t work. This helps us find what does work. We gain knowledge and experience from our mistakes.

Building Character

Failure also builds our character. It makes us strong and resilient. It shows us that we can face challenges and not give up.

Path to Success

So, failure is not the end. It’s the start of a journey to success. By learning and growing from our failures, we can reach our goals.

250 Words Essay on Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success

In life, everyone aims to be successful. But the road to success is not always smooth. We often face hurdles and sometimes, we fail. Yet, it is crucial to understand that failure is not the end. Instead, it is a stepping stone to success.

When we make mistakes, we learn what not to do. This is important because it helps us avoid the same mistakes in the future. For example, if a student fails in a test, he will study harder next time to pass. This is how failure acts as a stepping stone to success.

The Role of Persistence

Being persistent is key to overcoming failure. When we fail, we should not give up. Instead, we should try again with more determination. The story of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, is a great example. He failed thousands of times before he succeeded.

Turning Failure into Success

To turn failure into success, we need to have a positive mindset. We should view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. By doing so, we can turn our failures into stepping stones towards success.

In conclusion, failure is not something to be feared. It is, in fact, a stepping stone to success. It teaches us valuable lessons, makes us persistent, and helps us grow. So, the next time you fail, remember that it’s not the end, but the beginning of a journey towards success.

500 Words Essay on Failure Is The Stepping Stone To Success

Understanding failure.

Failure is when we are unable to achieve our goals or meet our expectations. It is a part of life that everyone experiences at one point or another. It can be in school, at home, or in our daily activities. Failure can make us feel sad and disappointed. But we should not let these feelings stop us from trying again.

Learning from Failure

Each failure teaches us something. It shows us what doesn’t work and encourages us to find a different way to reach our goals. For example, imagine you are trying to ride a bicycle for the first time. You may fall down many times. But each fall teaches you something new. You learn how to balance, how to pedal, and how to steer. Eventually, you learn to ride the bicycle. In this case, each fall or failure was a stepping stone to your success.

Failure and Success

Building resilience.

Facing failures can make us stronger. It builds our resilience, which is our ability to bounce back from difficult situations. When we fail, we have two choices. We can give up, or we can try again. By choosing to try again, we are building our resilience. We are showing that we are not afraid of failure. We are ready to learn from it and move forward.

In conclusion, failure is not something to be afraid of. It is a stepping stone to success. Each failure is a lesson that brings us closer to our goals. So, the next time you fail, do not be disheartened. Remember, it is just a stepping stone on your path to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and move forward with more determination. Success is waiting for you at the end of your journey.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What Causes Students to Fail Courses in College?

Importance of Discipline in Students' Lives

From the academics to the social scene, it is difficult to imagine a more exciting time than college. However, the transition is often challenging as well. College students fail classes for a variety of reasons, many of which are largely within the control of the students. In some cases, the particular way a professor grades can impact a student. For instance, some instructors grade more heavily on homework, papers and projects while others put a lot of weight on tests. However, regardless of the various assessment methods, college students benefit by being cognizant of common causes of academic failure.

Some of the most common reasons that college students fail classes include poor preparation for the changes that come with attending a university, spotty attendance of college classes, inadequate study habits and less than ideal time management skills.

Lack of Preparedness

The first year of college is often a major transition. Students leaving home for the first time must balance work, school and other activities as well as make the majority of their life decisions independently. In some cases, students aren't mentally, emotionally or academically ready to handle the demands of college classes. Some lack the necessary motivation and work ethic. Others struggle with the emotional difficulties that come with being on their own. Colleges often offer personal counselors who work specifically with students trying to balance academics with personal life challenges. Most colleges also have peer tutoring services, study skills courses and other opportunities for struggling students to utilize.

Poor Attendance

One of the surest ways to fail a class is to consistently miss it. Some courses include grading components, such as in-class activities, pop quizzes and team projects that can't be made up. In many instances, the bigger issue is that you are out of the loop in a number of ways. Missing classes can lead to missed homework assignments, papers and projects, especially if you don't check in regularly with the instructor. You also miss critical lecture and discussions of topics and content, which can lead to poor performance on tests.

Inadequate Study Habits

The study habits necessary to pass college classes are often a step up from what some students are used to in high school. Even students who generally succeed in high school can fail because they don't enter college with the requisite study skills. Typically, to perform well, you have to spend dedicated time taking notes in class, reading the materials, reviewing content and preparing for tests. You need to be well-organized to keep track of study requirements and deadlines for multiple classes and make regular trips to the school library to use quiet space for studying, away from busy dorms, apartments or campus events.

Faulty Time Management Skills

Poor time management is an umbrella problem with several related issues that can lead to course failure. Students who spend too much time playing games, watching television or hanging out with friends don't put enough time into completing work. Given the common need to balance coursework, labs, extracurricular activities and jobs, lack of planning can put students in a major bind. Procrastination sometimes leads to incomplete or deficient performance on homework, papers and projects. In some cases, students may plagiarize papers to make up for lack of planning and effort, which often means automatically failing the course and can even result in dismissal from the school.

Related Articles

How Lack of Time Management Affects College Students

What Are the Competencies Necessary for Success in College?

What Are the Causes of College Dropouts?

Transition Issues for College Freshmen

Should Students Take College Prep Courses?

Helping High School Students Become Productive Students

Why Is it Important to Be Organized in College?

How Bad Study Habits Affect You Post-High School

• Higher Learning Commission: Why Students Fail
• Rasmussen: Being Successful in College

Neil Kokemuller has been an active business, finance and education writer and content media website developer since 2007. He has been a college marketing professor since 2004. Kokemuller has additional professional experience in marketing, retail and small business. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University.

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure

Save to my list

Remove from my list

Understanding the Complex Causes of Student Course Failures

The impact of social networking distractions on academic performance.

The Distracting Influence of Electronic Devices in Educational Settings

The conundrum of balancing part-time employment and academic commitments.

Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure. (2016, May 04). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay

"Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure." StudyMoose , 4 May 2016, https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay [Accessed: 26 Aug. 2024]

"Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure." StudyMoose, May 04, 2016. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay

"Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure," StudyMoose , 04-May-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay. [Accessed: 26-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). Factors Contributing to Student Course Failure . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/what-causes-students-to-fail-essay [Accessed: 26-Aug-2024]

• Factors Contributing the Unplanned Pregnancy Among College Students Pages: 3 (692 words)
• Factors Contributing to the Growth of Enterprise and Small Business Pages: 6 (1735 words)
• Determination of Factors Contributing to Success Pages: 15 (4251 words)
• The Contributing Factors to Jeffrey Dahmer's Crimes Pages: 5 (1348 words)
• Factors Contributing to the School-to-Prison Pipeline System Pages: 3 (643 words)
• Success is the ability to move from failure to failure while not Pages: 3 (894 words)
• Personal Failure: Eliminating the Fear of Failure Pages: 3 (630 words)
• Contributing Cultural Diversity and Versatility for School Culture Pages: 2 (351 words)
• Issues Contributing to Water Scarcity Pages: 4 (1102 words)
• Balancing Routine Work and Contributing to Projects in the Workplace Pages: 3 (603 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Failing Grades: Examining The Long-Term Effects of Failure in Education

• Sanabria, Tanya
• Advisor(s): Penner, Andrew M

Academic course failure is perhaps surprisingly common in the US education system. Studies in educational development suggest that course failure has universally negative effects on students’ educational outcomes. However, it is unclear the degree to which these negative results may be driven by differences between students who do and do not fail, and whether all students are equally impacted. My dissertation examines how course failure and academic labels impact young adults’ academic and labor market outcomes, focusing on differences across student characteristics, and using quasi-experimental research designs to account for differences in prior academic or demographic characteristics between students who do and do not fail. Drawing on research in life course theory, I argue that failure more broadly should not be understood as aberrant but as an important part of the developmental process. Using three large, longitudinal data sources with academic transcript information, and employing quasi-experimental methods where possible, I demonstrate that course failure can compound advantages or disadvantages to have substantial impacts on future outcomes that vary by gender and race. Chapter 2 uses students’ college transcripts from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS 88) to show that failing a so-called “weed out” course discourages women from pursuing STEM majors, but that men who fail major in STEM fields at similar rates to those who pass. In Chapter 3, I use transcript data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) to show that while college remedial coursework benefits some students, the substantial number of students who fail remediation are considerably worse off (e.g., they are less likely to graduate, take longer to graduate, and earn less) than peers who were not placed in remediation. Finally, Chapter 4 uses statewide administrative data to show that students with a more negative performance label have lower test scores and worse behavioral outcomes over time. My dissertation thus underscores how students who failed in school will likely access vastly different opportunities in education, the labor market, and other institutions.

Enter the password to open this PDF file:

Top Causes of Academic Failure Among Students

Today I am going to explain the top causes of academic failure among students.

Academics in education is all about studying and reasoning.

It involves the work done in schools, colleges, and universities.

Your success in academics depends on how much practical knowledge you have.

Parents always have expectations of their children.

That’s why the students face additional pressure to perform well in academics.

Academics still play a crucial role in the success of the students.

According to the research , students who have high-level education with high grades always have a better chance of employment.

Furthermore, they always have a chance to get a high pay scale, than undergraduate students.

Nowadays, the way education is changed. These days the students do not memorize the concept of their syllabus.

Students understand the new technologies and increase their knowledge to be in the competition and be ready for the future.

In this way, students with high academic grades always have lots of options to choose their carrier.

They are understanding the new technologies and increasing their knowledge to be the competition and be ready for the future.

But scoring high grades in academics is not that easy for the students as I mentioned above that the students have added the pressure on their parents’ expectations.

There are also a lot more options that are the reasons behind the academic failure of the students.

Did you know that most of the students put enough effort along with taking enough time to prepare for the exams but don’t get the desired results?

Let’s find out the Top Causes of Academic Failure Among Students.

These reasons also answer the question, why do students fail in university? 

What Is Academic Failure?

Table of Contents

• Academic failure refers to a student’s inability to meet the academic standards set by their educational institution or course.
• It can manifest in different ways, including poor grades, low test scores, failing classes, or dropping out of school.
• Academic failure can be caused by various factors, such as learning disabilities, lack of motivation or engagement, poor study habits, or external stressors.
• It can have long-term consequences for a student’s academic and professional prospects, including limited career options, reduced earning potential, and decreased self-esteem.
• Academic failure can be prevented through early intervention and support, such as tutoring, academic counseling, or specialized learning programs.
• It’s important to remember that academic failure is not a reflection of a student’s worth or intelligence and that everyone has the potential to learn and succeed with the right resources and support.

1. Internal Organizational Factors

Do schooling factors matter for academic failure?

Of course, Yes!!!

Internal organizational factors are playing a crucial role in the academic success of the students. Quality of education does not depend on a single entity, i.e. the students or the teachers.

It is the collective effort of the students, teachers, management staff, and also the education ministry of the country. All their joint efforts can help to get the desired quality education for the students.

The school should provide basic as well as advanced facilities to the students to fulfill their academic needs. Let’s discuss the internal organization factors:-

a) Way Of Teaching

Way of teaching the enormous cause behind the academic failure of the students. We know that every school, college, and the university has its unique way of teaching.

But only having a unique style of teaching is not enough. It should be sufficient for the students so that the students can grab the knowledge quickly.

b) Characteristics Of Teacher

The teacher is a significant aspect of every student’s life. Without having an excellent teacher, the students can’t get high marks in their academics.

Every student expects their teacher to solve all their queries effectively to expand their knowledge.

They are playing their part in academics by providing relevant information about the topic to the students. They also provide values and perspectives to the students. 

c) Educational Writing Support To The Students

Today the teachers have larger classrooms as compared with the past years. It is nearly impossible for the teacher to pay attention to every student.

And to provide them with full support while teaching in the classroom. In most cases, the schools don’t hire enough teaching staff.

Therefore the shortage of teaching staff ruins the entire quality of education. Hiring more professional teachers for providing quality education to the students is the best solution.

It was evident that sometimes, the teacher is not able to cover the entire topic within one hour. Therefore they don’t have enough time to clear the student’s doubts. 

d) Library Facility

It’s one of the crucial causes of academic failure among students. The majority of schools and colleges don’t provide a well-structured library. They also don’t provide the necessary books to the students.

We know that the majority of students like self-study to prepare for the examinations. For this, they need books from the library. But if the library is out of books then what the students can do?

2. Individual Factors

The majority of students think that going to going to the classroom to attend the lecture. And staying in the library for hours and hours is enough to score high grades in examinations.

Do you think the same? 

If yes!! Then you are not correct.

To score high grades in exams, the students need to concentrate on their studies.

For this, the students need to invest plenty of time to put their minds to studying and stay away from distractions. The students need to have full concentration to score high grades in the examinations.

Here are a few more individual factors that affect the causes behind the academic failure of the students.

a) Having A Goal

The students have to set goals for their academics. In most cases, the students don’t set the goal for their academics. Therefore they don’t get the right direction towards getting high grades in their exams. It is the major cause of academic failure. 

b) Inspiration

Inspiration is the only thing that motivates you to do something. Most of the students don’t get the desired results in academics due to a lack of motivation. The students need to keep inspiring themselves to score high grades in their exams. Inspiration is one of the crucial causes of academic failure.

c) Regularity in Class

Regularity in class is one of the major factors behind the performance of the students in academics. Therefore the students need to present in the classroom regularly to score high grades in academics. 

d) Laziness

Students are becoming lazy with every passing year. That’s why the students are getting failure in their academics. The students need to give enough time to their studies.

It will help them to score high grades in their examinations. Laziness should be avoided by the students to minimize the causes of academic failure.

e) Dependency

I have seen that in most cases, the students depend on others to decide for them. They are required to have unwanted guidance to tell them what they need. The students depend on someone else to do it for them.

3. External Organizational Factors

Most of the students don’t put the focus on these factors. But do you know that external factors also play crucial causes in academic failure among students?

Some of the students don’t have a high socioeconomic status. Therefore they don’t have access to the proper study environment for their children at home.

In this way, the students don’t have enough resources to get academic achievement. Let’s move on to external factors:-

a) The Level Of Parental Education

Most of the parents are not well educated. Therefore they are not able to help their children in their academics. The education standard of the parents is always a significant barrier to the student’s performance.

The studies have also shown that the level of parental education plays a significant role in the success of the students.

Highly educated parents provide a suitable environment for children to study. In this way, the students get motivated to have higher education for a better future.

b) Parental Behavior

The parents have to keep their behavior soft for their children. They need not put more pressure on the students to score high grades in the exams. The parents should guide the students to do proper preparation for their exams. 

c) The Social Status Of The Family

The social status of the family is also considered one of the causes of academic failure. The social status of the family consists of the two critical things, i.e. the education as well as the income of the family.

Poor economics family is one of the significant facts behind the low grades. But if the family is unfortunate, but their social status is average, then the students can get higher grades in their examinations. Because it helps the students to meet their basic needs. 

Additional factors: What are the main causes of academic failure among high school students?

Fear of failure

It has been seen that students are always depressed as they always think that whether they clear their exams or not. 

Each student has their own capability to learn things. That is why they put a lot of effort on their end to clear their exam. 

But because of the fear, they are unable to perform well in their exams. This leads to academic failure.

Tips to overcome the fear of failure: 

• Re-define success. 
• Boost your self-esteem. 
• Give yourself permission to fail. 
• Plan to fail. 
• Break Your Project into Smaller Tasks. 
• Change What’s Not Working.

Procrastination

It is the action of delaying something. Various students can’t focus on their work. Even they are kept on delaying doing their study. 

This laziness makes them unable to complete their homework or assignment. That leads to an unclear concept about the subject topics. 

Therefore it is necessary that students must be devoted to their studies. This helps them in clearing their concepts as well as enhancing their knowledge about the subject matter.

Tips to get rid of procrastination:

• Create a To-Do list with specific deadlines. 
• Break bigger projects into manageable chunks.
• Set aside time and space for work.
• Remove distractions. 
• Tackle the hard stuff first. 
• Do one thing at a time. 
• Reward yourself with breaks.

Lack of time management skills

“Time waits for none” – this is a well-known fact to all. Therefore, it is always necessary to manage your time. But some students do not have enough idea regarding how to manage their time for study. 

Sometimes, students prepare their study schedules, but they are unable to proceed as per their schedule. 

The students also face this problem at the time of exams. Therefore, a lack of time management skills can lead to academic failure.

Tips to Improve Your Time Management Skill: 

• Schedule your tasks and deadlines,
• Start your tasks early.
• Give yourself a break.
• Prioritize your tasks.

Negative thoughts

Thinking about the negative things is already in human nature. But sometimes, it overpowers the human brain and thoughts. As a result, humans are unable to make correct decisions.

Moreover, students get depressed which affects their academic life. Therefore, students do not let themself remain around the negative thoughts.

Tips to get rid of negative thoughts:

• Speak back.
• Set a time limit. 
• Change your environment.
• Change your surrounding friends’ circle

Lack of confidence

To get success in academic life and studies, confidence is one of the major factors. Here, confidence means that students have a positive attitude towards their studies and other things. He/she has enough knowledge to tackle a problem. 

But sometimes, because of peer pressure and other factors, students are unable to develop a positive attitude. 

This leads to a lack of confidence. Because of this, students think that they can not solve their study queries or do not have enough potential to solve the question. Because of this, they do not answer the query which results in academic failure.

Tips for building confidence: 

• Monitor your progress.
• Do the right thing.
• Stand Up For Yourself.

Bonus point: What is the main cause of Academic Failure among high school students?

Academic recovery for high school students is more difficult: Graduation requirements vary from school to school or state to state, but all will require a certain number of points to earn a high school diploma.

Our official record starts in the US’s 9th grade (class). This means academic recovery following failure is more difficult for high school students. Not only do students need to understand the educational content for the year, but they will also need to find a way to earn the credits that they missed.

Because elementary and middle school classes do not go on a student’s final record, recovery from a failure in these grades is less difficult. 

How to deal with academic failure?

Give enough time to grave your disappointment.

Time wounds all heels!!! Yes, it is true…

As time pass, you will find that your mind will become habitual of the situation. In this case, you can easily forget your failures. 

But it is always necessary that you must learn something from your failure. So, make a note that you find the main cause of failure and try to work on it.

This will help you make the changes to not repeat the same mistake in the upcoming exams or tests.

Do not rush to try new things

I didn’t try this!!! That might be the reason for my academic failure!!!

This is the common thought when the students see their classmate doing any new thing. But students must remember that they have already put a lot of effort and energy into their previous work. 

That is why it is better to review your schedule. There is the possibility that you have made a minor mistake or you are much closer to success.

Therefore, do not rush to new things by seeing your classmates. First, observe and then proceed. 

Get comfortable with your family and friends

My family and friend will hate me now!!! 

This is what a student thinks exactly after the academic failure. 

But it is not true at all that your family and friends will hate you. Both know you better. That is why they never judge their capabilities.

Moreover, they know, that this time you might be unable to put your best. Or you might not show up your learning capabilities. 

That is why it is always better to spend some time with your family and friends. This will not only feel better but also motivate you to do well the next time. 

Stay apart from negativity

Ohh!!! You got fail… Now, what will you do!!!

This is what the people say to you. Therefore, it is better to stay apart from these kind people who comment on you.

Moreover, stay motivated to keep ongoing. Remember, you are the one who knows you better. 

Therefore, never pay attention to people’s comments or ignore the negative things lying around you.

Try to talk to the people who can motivate you to look forward.

Appreciate your previous work

I did what I could, but never mind… I will do even better this time…

Exactly!!! You have already put a lot of effort into doing your best. Therefore, appreciate the time and effort that you have put in.

Failure also helps you to understand and polish up your skills. That is why learn things from previous work and add the knowledge to new learning.

Suppose you find that the previous time schedule was not up to the mark. Change it this time and work according.  

So, acknowledge your work as you have previously researched and learned something from it.

As I have already mentioned that causes of academic failure are not dependent on a single individual. There are several reasons for this. Now you may be sure about the causes of academic failure.

There are hundreds of ways to improve the academic performance of students. The most basic method is to pay attention to the curriculum, improve students’ confidence, and most important, arrange enough resources for the students.

The school and colleges can also arrange some interactive sessions that are the best way to discover the student’s requirements.

As statistics experts, we know that academic failure also depends upon the assignment help. Low-quality assignment help always leads to you academic failure. Get high-quality R assignment help and R homework help from our experts to avoid such failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. what is the main cause of failure.

Lack of Persistence Lack of Conviction Poor Self-Esteem Lack of Discipline Fatalistic Attitude

Q2. What are the causes of falling grades?

The teacher is not very good. Lack of motivation. Goofed off. Procrastinates. The subject matter is very difficult. Difficult study environment.  Didn’t do homework. Miscellaneous poor attitudes.

Q3. How do you deal with academic failure?

Remember the following points to move forward after the academic failure: Calm down.  Always ready to make hard decisions.  Have other life dreams. Remember, you are not just living only for academia.  Always think sideways.  Prioritize all things straight as success does not compete with happiness

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

Why Students Fail Examinations: 9 Major Reasons

• Post author: Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC
• Post published: March 15, 2022
• Post category: Scholarly Articles

Why Students Fail Examinations: All around the world Education is seen as being the bedrock of civilization. A good education equips one with the right knowledge, skill and exposure to navigate society and be successful in the future. Parents, guardians and even individuals go out of their way to get their children, wards and themselves the best education money could offer. A lot of importance is placed on educational performance for growth and advancement in society. Therefore, it is not a surprise that tests or exams play a huge role in the goings on in the lives of people and society at large; it is a deciding factor to the schools, course of study and even dream jobs one can gain access to. It is therefore a nightmare to so many when they are faced with failure at any level in their pursuit of educational success.

Failure is a stumbling block most people dread running into on their way to meeting personal or societal expectations. Many individuals have ready answers for why they perform poorly on their exam result booklets; most of them due to both internal and external factors, which are very much interrelated. Factors that are almost the same across all school class and age grade strata.

In recent times, all across the globe, statistics have shown the decline in performances of students during examinations to be on the rise, as such, we will be exploring some of the numerous reasons why students fail in their Examinations.

Recommended: Secrets to academic excellence in school

8 Major Reasons Why Students Fail Examinations

Here are a few Reasons why students fail Examinations:

1. Poor or No Preparation : Simply put, preparation is what you do in readiness for an occurrence or event. Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”, and Confucius was also credited to have said that, “ success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure ”. This issue of lack of preparation usually happens to students just venturing into a new class or field.

They most times lack the psychological, emotional and academic preparedness required for the new phase, and so, they typically go into an examination without the required inspiration and diligence to make good grades. A student can still falter in an exam despite having all the requisite knowledge and educational facilities available to them. Lack of preparation incudes: not reading class or lecture notes, not doing all necessary research broad reading needed for a particular subject or course, lack of good revisions, not studying past questions, etc.  Preparation gives one a level of assuredness needed to get the job done.

2. Lack Of Interest or No Interest At All: Having an interest in a particular subject, course or field of study is an added advantage for a student intending to do well in their exams. When one is not interested in a thing, they tend to hardly ever give it time or attention which translates to poor performances on exam day. Once an individual’s heart is not in a venture, they seldom give their best and this builds a castle that failure most certainly lives in.

Also see: Best times to read and understand effectively

3. Procrastination : Procrastination is putting off tasks meant to be carried out today or now for tomorrow or later. It is not strange to hear students, especially those in tertiary institutions say things like, “ the deadline for that assignment is still afar off, I’ll relax today and do it some other time.”

Students postpone studying, writing papers and doing assignments to times when it becomes too overwhelming for them to practically give their best or do at all.

It becomes a very big challenge when a student is then a chronic procrastinator as procrastination goes a long way to affect ones performance in exams that contain questions requiring a knowledge included in these put-off assignments, papers and projects.

4. Lack Of Good Management of Time: In the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams written by Secondary School students to certify their eligibility to go on to university in West Africa, it is reported that 15% of failures recorded every year is as a result of the students inability to maximize the time allocated them.

Most students do not realize part of the test is also to see how much their brains can analyze and compute information within an allocated time. So, it is possible for a student might be prepared and still fail due to working slowly or answering questions at one’s own slow pace. Instead of answering the easier questions, some students tend to settle on a hard or ambiguous question for a large chunk of the time apportioned for an exam.

Also see: How to approach a girl to like in school

5. Wrong Reading Practices: A student that studies inefficiently will most definitely end up with bad grades. When one sleeps easily and then goes to their beds to study, that’s an arrangement for failure on the long run.

Another scenario is when one has not studied him/herself to learn how their body functions and try to study only at night when they are busy all day long, they are also concocting a recipe for failure in future. It is then pertinent to state that one needs to develop healthy reading habits that work overtime, and change any practices that have been discovered not to give the wanted outcome.

6. Going To the Exam Overconfident: Being confident is a good trait to have, but having an overdose of it can be self-destructive. In thinking one knows more than enough, they may not see the little details that make the much difference.

In a bid to show they are smarter than the examiner, an overconfident person might ignore instructions and do things their own way. An overconfident student will almost never agree they don’t know how to go about a thing or that they are wrong when they are.

Also see: Top 10 Best side jobs for students while in school

7. Indecisiveness : You know these category of student when you see the amount of cancelled work or answers on their answer booklets. They always find a way to confuse themselves about a question even after answering correctly the first time.

They are usually not able to decide which of the multiple answers they come up with is the correct answer. These confusion and indecisiveness usually leads to bad time management, bad use of answer booklet space, not articulating answers the right way, confusing answers that never get the full mark, etc.

8. Being Distracted: Technology have become increasingly available and affordable. So, a student might prefer to be engaged on Social media, play computer games or do a ton of other leisurely things that the technology of now can help a person do rather than study their books, work on assignments or even attend classes.

Students may prefer a night out partying than sitting in their dorm rooms going through their notes for the day. Distractions of many colours bedevil an undisciplined student and create a sure path to exam failure.

Recommended: How To Stop Loving Someone: 10 Tips

9. Examination fear/Exam Phobia: Fear is one of the factors that kills great people even before they notice it. Usually, examination fear is caused by the fact that; you don’t know what to expect in the examination. Another reason why people are afraid during exams is because they probably don’t want to face the consequences that comes with failing the examination.

Accordingly to research, 10% – 40% of students fail their examinations because of examination fear. Trust me, it is one factor you don’t want to joke with. You must look for ways to deal with examination fear if you want to pass your exams excellently.

Some of the ways to successfully deal with examination fear has been carefully discussed in my video below. So make sure you watch it and apply the tips i shared there.

Recommended: Most Profitable Skills to Learn in 2022: 12 Most Lucrative

The above are just a few of the many reasons students get bad grades in their educational pursuits. There are other reasons like: Poor diet, Poor class attendance, financial problems, the group of friends one keeps, lack of support and help, laziness, a wrong mindset, etc. The silver lining is that, one can avoid these reasons for failing by knowing them and taking the right steps to correct what needs to be corrected and replacing bad habits with god ones.

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.

This Post Has One Comment

Thanks for the passage

Comments are closed.

The Top 10 Reasons Why Students Fail in Examination

There might have been times when you had prioritised your studies and burnt the midnight oil for your test but you failed. Notably, there is no fault of excessive external factors or lack of internal struggles. Therefore, they shouldn’t be your excuses for your exam failure. They only charge you to work towards avoiding them. However, there are several factors that cause you to fail. So, in the article below, I have listed The Top 10 Reasons Why Students Fail in Examination.

1. Poor Time Management

Effective time management is crucial for every student to balance all the responsibilities (Study, homework, family, social time and much more). However, most of the students fail to do so that causes failure in test or examination. Therefore, it is essential for them to learn the time management skill. Also, the sooner they learn the cheaper it will be.

2. Lack of Preparation

If you don’t know how to manage your time, you don’t know that you need to prepare your self beforehand or the deadline, too. We rely on teachers, parents and the deadline, therefore, we tend to start studying at the last minute. We fail to compete, though and this results in your failure.

3. Procrastination

Procrastination doesn’t exist in the success formula. Nevertheless, we are very lazy that we tend to procrastinate all the time-putting of your tasks for the tomorrow that doesn’t until the deadline. Procrastinating is not only ineffective but also it results in stress, depression, nervousness, and poor performance.

4. Distractions

Today we are in the heaps of the technology and distractions. With smartphones, social media and tv we have too many pieces of stuff to distract us. Therefore, we keep procrastinating that results in stress which doesn’t allow us to focus on what is important. Consequently, we fail.

5. Lack of Perseverance

Life is not a sprint, therefore, we need to learn that everything in life is a process which needs time. Indeed, we require it in the ordinary walk of our lives because none of the greatest musicians, novelists, artists, and scientists succeeded without this. Therefore, lack of perseverance causes our failure.

6. Low Self-esteem

Having good self-esteem allows you walk through life confidently. Also, your self-esteem and good grades can provoke you to embrace new opportunities and apply for scholarships. While you low self-esteem paralyzes you and results in your failure.

7. Overconfidence

being confident is beneficial while your overconfidence results in ignoring small but crucial details. Also, considering yourself the best causes pride and people start fleeing from you. Regardless of everything, you should be humble to everybody.

8. Lack of Interest

One of the important reasons for your failure is your lack of interest. If you are studying what you aren’t interested in, you won’t work for that with your heart and soil which is the key to successful lives. Therefore, you should do what you love to do this will lead you towards success, undoubtedly.

9. Wrong Study Strategies

Unfortunately, most of the students don’t know how to study properly. They think studying means reading and copying teachers’ notes while you should understand and learn the concept, in fact. Therefore, your wrong study strategies lead you towards academic failure.

10. Lack of Proper Information

Even though we are surrounded by sources of information, we can’t get what we need. Also, not knowing how to find the proper information can lead you to lack of interest, too. Therefore, getting the right piece of information is crucial to your academic success.

These were  The Top 10 Reasons Why Students Fail in Examination. So, I hope they were helpful to you. Also, if you have any other suggestion, you can let us know in the comment section below.

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related posts

How to learn the english language through news channels, how to write a job application letter in english with example, how to write a phd research proposal.

thanks for the well sammarised points

This work is very helpful to my daily life and most especially to my research hoping that you will produce more research just like this ❤

Thanks for the feedback.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• J Educ Health Promot

Academic failure and students’ viewpoint: The influence of individual, internal and external organizational factors

Arash najimi.

Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Gholamreza Sharifirad

Mehdi mohammad amini.

1 Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Sayyed Davood Meftagh

2 Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Background:

Educational failure is one of the most important problems in higher education institutes in Iran. This study was performed to investigate the factors affecting students’ academic failure in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Materials and Methods:

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 280 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were studied in 2009. They were chosen using multiple cluster sampling. The students’ demographic characteristics and study information were collected by a valid and reliable questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS (15) software.

The most important factors affecting educational failure from students’ point of view were: curriculum (4.23 ± 0.63), factors related to educator (3.88 ± 0.55), learning environment (3.63 ± 0.62), family factors (3.53 ± 0.6), socioeconomic factors (3.45 ± 0.69). There is a significant relationship between attitudes of students in two sexes and educator ( P = 0.03) and socioeconomic environment ( P = 0.003). In addition, the results did not show a significant difference between attitudes of students with age, marital status and employment status ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

More attention to curriculum, factors related to educator and learning environment can prevent students’ educational failure, in addition to preventing loss of resources and contribute to develop a more effective educational system.

INTRODUCTION

Educating efficient and effective human forces is considered among the main duties of universities. Every year, universities admit newcomer students and graduate some others; in this continuous cycle, education quality has a crucial position. Thus, increasing the quality of educational system is considered the most influential factor in developing the countries; this is because students achieve a position as a result of their academic success in which their maximum internal and external forces are used for achieving goals of higher education and obtaining necessary conditions for successful social life. On the other hand, lack of success in education paves the ground for several personal and social problems and deviation from achieving the goals of educational system.[ 1 ] In this regard, one of the major problems of higher education centers is the students’ academic failure which not only leads to the waste of current expenditure and time but also generates mental-psychological, social and family problems for the university students. According to studies, this problem is increasing every year so that many students cannot handle the curriculum (academic courses) or complete it in due time.[ 2 ] Academic failure includes various aspects of educational failure such as frequent absence from classes, dropping out, repeating the grade or low quality of education.[ 3 ] UNESCO attributes the concept of academic failure to repeating the grade, early dropout and decline in the educational quality of learners.[ 4 ]

According to studies, about 12% of students of medical universities are probated at least one term during their education and this probation not only causes some mental-psychological problems for them, but also puts them at the risk of educational deprivation considering their academic progress, damages optimum utilization of scientific principles for training human forces and human and financial resources and also social dissatisfaction. Furthermore, students’ academic failure and dropout cause some challenges and problems for the students themselves along with enormous losses for the country.[ 5 ] Studies have shown that people with academic failure are more probable to use drugs at older ages; therefore, academic failure and dropout might ensue drug and alcohol addictions.[ 6 ] A study in one of the American universities on people who committed suicide indicated academic failure as the most common cause of their suicide.[ 7 ] Various studies have suggested that various factors can lead to academic failure; in some researches, drug addiction[ 8 ] has been considered and other studies have demonstrated that personality factors, motivation and interest, satisfaction, loneliness, success expectation and family circumstances can affect level of academic success in universities.[ 9 ] In a comprehensive approach, the factors involved in academic failure can be classified in three categories of individual factors (components like having a goal, motivation, anxiety, studying method, intelligence, attention, planning, affective and mental conditions and lack of course attendance), internal organizational factors (professional characteristics of instructors, space and proper facilities and equipment) and external organizational factors (parents’ education level and their dealing with students’ academic failure, socioeconomic status of families and unclear and uncertain occupational prospects).[ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]

Considering the above mentioned points, it can be stated that academic failure or dropout of university students is considered not only a personal problem but also a main social problem and some fundamental measures should be taken to solve this problem since the issues it causes will affect the society in future. In the meantime, the academic failure of students of medical universities is of crucial importance; if these students do not have a proper quality of education, this problem will clearly demonstrate itself due to their occupational sensitivity and its relationship with the heath of community. As a consequence of academic failure, these students will perform poorly in hospitals and health centers and this poor performance will be sometimes irreparable.

With regard to the importance of the mentioned points, the realities that students mostly come from various family environments, cities and villages to open and partially free spaces of universities, the social, political and cultural atmosphere of the country and simultaneous presence of boys and girls in learning environments, their being away from the family and living in student dormitories or in unfamiliar houses and education limitations of universities may pave the ground for their academic failure. Hence, the present study aimed at identifying factors which affect academic failure from the viewpoint of students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Iran).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study on 280 students from different faculties of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in 2008. Sampling was conducted by the multi-stage clustering method. Thus, the statistics related to the total number of students was separately specified and the number of required samples from each faculty was determined considering the ratio of the population of each faculty to total population of university students. First, two or three classes were randomly selected in each faculty and some students were randomly selected from among the students of each class. In the case of reluctance or lack of cooperation of each student, s/he was excluded from the study and another sample was replaced.

Data gathering tool in the study was a researcher-made questionnaire which consisted of two parts. The first part of the questionnaire included general and demographic information of students. The second part of the questionnaire contained questions about students’ viewpoints with regard to the factors which affect academic failure, which was divided to six general areas according to the reliable sources. These are as included family (7 questions), learner (9 questions), instructor (11 questions), learning environment (10 questions), curriculum (3 questions) and socioeconomic (7 questions) factors. The questionnaire was designed in Likert style. The scoring method of the responses was in the following way:

• 1 for totally disagree,
• 2 for disagree,
• 3 for no idea,
• 4 for agree and
• 5 for totally agree.

The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using face and content validity methods. Thereby, the questionnaire was prepared according to reliable sources and books and the comments of six professors and experts were obtained and applied to it. To check its face validity, the questionnaire was given to a number of university students and their comments and questions were also applied to the questionnaire. Its reliability was measured using internal consistency (α = 0.9).

To collect the data, the questionnaires were gathered in the first semester after coordinating with the education department of the university and educational authorities of each faculty and presenting the required training to the information collectors. After completing the questionnaires and extracting the data, SPSS statistical software (ver. 15) was used to gather descriptive statistics and run independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. The significance level of α = 0.05 was considered for all the tests.

From total 280 participants in the study, 52.9% and 47.1% were male and female students, respectively. Their mean age was 22.12 ± 3.7 years old. The studied students were classified at three levels of associate, bachelor and master, and doctorate. 85% of the participants were single, 68.6%were living in dormitory, 29.6% were living with their parents or spouse and 1.8% was living in rental houses. 11.8% of students were employed and 88.2% were unemployed.

The findings of this study showed that the highest score was related to the curriculum (4.22 ± 0.62) among the studied areas according to the students’ viewpoints. After that, instructor (3.88 ± 0.55) and environmental factor had the highest scores. Furthermore, the socioeconomic area had the lowest score (3.45 ± 0.69) among the factors affecting academic failure from the students’ viewpoints [ Table 1 ].

Results of different areas of academic failure from the viewpoints of students

According to the participants, the most important factors which could affect academic failure of students were in the following way: in family-related factors, 81.5% of students mentioned lack of free environments with mutual understanding in the family; in the learner-related factors, 90.7% considered motivation factor for educational issues; in the factors related to instructors, 80.6% reported lack of experienced instructors for teaching educational courses; among the factors related to socioeconomic issues, 76.4% stated lack of promising employment and economic motivations and, among the factors related to learning environment, 73.6% mentioned disregarding students’ problems by authorities. The influential factors in curriculum, as the most crucial factor for academic failure from the students’ viewpoints, are demonstrated in Table 2 .

Frequency distribution of factors related to curriculum which affect academic failure

The findings demonstrated a significant difference between female and male students’ viewpoints in terms of two areas of instructor ( P = 0.03) and socioeconomic environment ( P = 0.003); i.e. male and female students had higher mean scores in instructor and socioeconomic factors, respectively. Moreover, the results did not show any significant differences between the viewpoints of students and their marital and occupational status.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Academic failure means lack of success in education and leads to the loss of higher education costs and social and economic losses. In this study, the viewpoints of students on the factors which affect academic failure were studied. Among the six studied areas (family, learner, instructor, learning environment, curriculum and socioeconomic factors), students stated curriculum as the most influential factor for academic failure. Consistent with this study, Dehcheshmeh et al . studied the factors which affected educational progress and stated that curriculum was the most important factor for students’ progress.[ 13 ] Also, Vanhanen et al . mentioned in appropriate curriculum as the failure factor among nursing students.[ 14 ] In the area of curriculum, disproportionate curriculum with abilities and values of students and also their future occupations were the most important factors from the viewpoints of students.

In the instructor area, the role of experienced teachers and their social behaviors was stated as the important factor in the academic failure of students. Hammond's study also revealed the quality of instructor as one of the most important factors for the success of students.[ 15 ] Hazavehei's investigation also found that teaching methodology including factors like teachers’ efforts for explaining the materials, effectiveness of teaching methods, impact on teaching methods, learner-centeredness, observing discipline and content integrity, creating active learning, using techniques and available teaching facilities can affect the educational status of students to some extent.[ 1 ]

Students believed that motivation, interest in the field of study and self-confidence were the most important factors in the academic failure. Uguroglu and Walberg noted the crucial role of motivation in achieving educational success.[ 16 ] Some studies also mentioned students’ personal characteristics such as lack of interest in their major as the main reason for their probation.[ 17 , 18 ]

Among the learning environment factors, more attention of authorities to the problems of students and also limited library facilities and lack of application of proper educational technology with regard to the content of each lesson were mentioned as the most influential factors for the academic failure.

Lack of free environments with mutual understanding in the family, lack of parents’ appreciation of education and lack of boosting students’ spirit by the families were among the most notable family factors which were recognized by students. In Dehbozorgi's study, the role of parents was considered an important factor for students’ educational progress and it was stated that those parents with higher educational level expected the same from their children and were considered more appropriate for them. This unconsciously pushes students to work harder in order to show more successful performance like their parents.[ 19 ]

In the socioeconomic area, lack of promising economic and occupational motivation, lack of social respect and status related to the field of study and lack of job security in the future were mentioned as the most important factors by students. Regarding this point, Leondari et al . mentioned “a clear and transparent view from the occupational prospect” as an influential factor in educational performance.[ 20 ]

The relationship between demographic variables and students’ viewpoints on the effective areas for their academic failure was considered in this study. Among demographic variables, there was a significant relationship only between sex and students’ viewpoint in terms of two areas which affected academic failure. Thus, the area of instructor had a more important role in the emergence of academic failure from the perspective of male students; in contrast, female students gave a more dominant role to socioeconomic environments. In Hazavehei's study, there was a significant relationship between sex and students academic failure.[ 1 ] Furthermore, some other studies revealed a relationship between age, marital status and academic failure[ 21 , 22 ] while there was no significant relationship between these factors and students’ perspectives on academic failure in the present study.

Lack of active participation of some students in the research was one of the most important limitations of this study. To overcome this limitation, there was an attempt to explain the objectives of the study and provide participation motivations for this group of students.

Seemingly, students believe that different factors affect academic failure with different degrees. Accordingly, more precise attention to factors like course content, instructors, teaching methods and learning environments in education and welfare programming can prevent from the emergence of academic failure, especially in the fields of medical sciences.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was approved and funded as a research project (no.188026) by the Research Department of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and here by the researcher appreciates the related authorities.

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Failure — Accepting Failures – My Greatest Achievement In Life

Accepting Failures – My Greatest Achievement in Life

• Categories: Failure

About this sample

Words: 558 |

Published: Aug 16, 2019

Words: 558 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited:

• Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2008). Film art: An introduction. McGraw-Hill.
• Bonnie and Clyde. (1967). Directed by Arthur Penn. Warner Bros.
• Cook, P. (1996). A history of narrative film (3rd ed.). WW Norton & Company.
• Hirsch, F. (2002). An audience of one: Dorothy Osborne's review of Bonnie and Clyde. Literature/Film Quarterly, 30(2), 107-115.
• Lev, P. (2011). Bonnie and Clyde. British Film Institute.
• Mellen, J. (1990). Bonnie and Clyde. Da Capo Press.
• Pramaggiore, M., & Wallis, T. (2011). Film: A critical introduction. Laurence King Publishing.
• Prince, S. (2004). Movies and meaning: An introduction to film (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Schickel, R. (1997). Warren Beatty: A life and a story. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Slocum, J. D. (2013). Violence, gender and sexuality in Bonnie and Clyde. Springer.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 703 words

2 pages / 842 words

2 pages / 854 words

2 pages / 741 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Failure

Failing is a blessing in disguise, a paradoxical statement that challenges conventional notions of success and failure. This essay explores the profound concept of failure as an unexpected gift, a source of growth, and a [...]

Failing is a blessing in disguise, an invitation to learn, grow, and evolve. The lessons of failure are not confined to a single domain; they transcend our personal and professional lives, shaping our character, mindset, and [...]

Failure is an inevitable part of life, but its impact goes far beyond setbacks and disappointments. This essay explores the valuable lessons we can take from failure, emphasizing the role it plays in personal growth, resilience, [...]

Failure is an inevitable part of life. Whether it's in academic, professional, or personal realms, everyone experiences failure at some point. My own experience with failure has been a significant and transformative part of my [...]

It was an overwhelming Friday afternoon, I can barely hear the echoes of my voice. There were hundreds of students, who gathered to cheer their favorite team up. It seemed like the afternoon was boiling. What team is winning? [...]

I have encountered many obstacles and have suffered through many failures. The failure I would like to explain is one which I experienced recently. Fall semester, 2017, I enrolled in 6 classes at Levine Middle College. One of [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free