As the academic year draws to a close, many first-year university students find themselves staring at disappointing (or downright disastrous) results or grappling with a nagging sense of misalignment. Whether they outright failed modules, scraped by with low grades, or simply realised that their chosen field doesn’t spark the passion they expected, these students should know they are not alone, and that there is hope, an education expert says.
South Africa’s university dropout rate, especially at first year has long been cause for concern. Although statistics vary, it has been estimated as high as 40%. Last month, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane also sounded the alarm on South Africa’s escalating first-year university dropout rate, saying that 35% of students fail to progress beyond their first year of study.
Dingaan Moropane, Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning at IIE Rosebank College, says new students face significant hurdles due to the transition from high school, personal challenges, or mismatched expectations. The good news? A disappointing first year isn’t the end of the road. Rather, it’s a pivot point, and it is entirely possible to regroup, reassess, and rebuild, he says.
“Students finding themselves in a predicament at the end of their first year should avoid making rash decisions, but rather take a structured approach to understanding what happened. Start by creating a simple timeline of your year: What were your high points? Low points? Did external factors like family issues, health problems, or part-time work play a role? Be honest about study habits. Did procrastination, poor time management, or ineffective note-taking contribute,” Moropane says.
This exercise helps shift from emotional reaction to analytical insight. Remember, failure often stems from systemic issues like inadequate high school preparation or overwhelming course loads, not inherent inability.”
Once the reflection exercise is complete, the following steps will help students decide on the way forward:
Tap into university resources immediately
Good universities will be equipped with support systems designed exactly for situations like this, so don’t hesitate to use them. Delaying can compound stress, so act quickly after receiving results. Book an appointment with your faculty advisor or student advisor centre. Discuss grade appeals if applicable (e.g., if extenuating circumstances weren’t considered), or options like retaking modules without penalty.
Other resources that could assist include tutoring and study support services, financial aid services (if failure means you need to repeat a year), and mental health support, especially if anxiety or depression affected your performance, or might in the future. Online resources are also more valuable than ever to get you back on track, and you can use these during the holidays to up your game.
Re-assess if doubt creeps in
If your struggles stem from a lack of interest in your field of study, it’s okay to question whether you’ve made the right choice. While changing majors or qualifications is a significant decision, doing so early can actually save time, money, and frustration in the long run. When a subject fails to spark genuine curiosity or passion, staying motivated becomes an uphill battle.
Without that inner drive, the desire to learn, engage with challenging ideas, and envision a fulfilling future career, it becomes harder to maintain the momentum needed to attend lectures, complete assignments, and persevere through difficult periods. Over time, disinterest can lead to frustration, burnout, or even dropping out, often leaving students with wasted time, financial strain, and regret.
If you realise in your first year that your qualification isn’t the right fit, pausing to reassess your path is a wise and proactive step. Persisting solely to avoid change or to “finish what you started” can come at a far greater cost: years spent on an unused qualification, growing student debt, and missed opportunities to pursue something meaningful.
Choosing to switch direction isn’t a failure; it’s a sign of self-awareness and courage. However, it shouldn’t be rushed. Before committing to a new path, students should conduct thorough research: explore different programmes, speak to current students and graduates, attend open days, review graduate outcomes and support, and closely examine course structures and modules.
Build better habits for round two
Whether you’re retaking the year, pushing forward, or going in a new direction entirely, it is important to take the learnings from the less-than-successful first year and implement changes to avoid repeating mistakes. Focus on sustainable routines rather than overnight overhauls, Moropane says.
Start stacking good habits, including developing new study methods, managing your time like a pro, keeping healthy, and setting small, achievable goals. “Your first year doesn’t define you; it’s a chapter in a longer narrative. Aim to treat setbacks as learning opportunities, not failures, and permit yourself to rewrite the next page with a path that truly excites you.”
