One in ten first-years drops out of U of T. Across Canada, about 14 per cent of students enrolled in a post-secondary institution leave after their first year, and overall, 16 per cent drop out.
The reasons why these students leave, and where they move on to, vary. Academic difficulties are often cited, but a number of factors can cause a student to drop out.
“Whenever I tell someone I’m not in school they assume it’s because it was too hard academically,” said 22-year-old Vanessa Slack, who has dropped out of U of T twice. “Or that it just wasn’t right for me, or I didn’t enjoy it, which is certainly not the case.”
Slack started at U of T in 2004 and dropped out after first year, uncertain that university was right for her. She decided to return after a semester away, but couldn’t cover costs when she re-enrolled in 2006. Slack no longer qualified for OSAP, so she wasn’t eligible for financial aid from U of T.
“When you’re living on a shoe-string budget, it’s stressful,” she said. “I had to pay my rent, I had my tuition mounting, with interest building monthly, and other bills.” In January 2007, she started getting calls from collection agencies for defaulting on OSAP loans. She said her college registrar advised her to take a year off, work, and then come back to school part-time.
Today, Slack is working three jobs and saving as much as possible, but she doesn’t think she’ll be able to return to school anytime soon. “They had this promise that if you are academically qualified, financial barriers won’t be an issue, and they didn’t live up to that,” Slack said.
“[We] don’t always have an accurate picture of why students drop out,” said Deanne Fisher, director of the Student Life office. She acknowledged that the transition from high school to university can be difficult, but maintained that U of T provides considerable support for struggling students.
Programs at the Academic Success Centre include group workshops on time management and exam stress, as well as one-to-one coaching from learning skills counsellors. Faculties often have their own programs, and each college has a writing centre and resources at the registrar’s office.
“We have a coordinator of student retention services,” Fisher said. “It’s an office that normally works with the faculty and student registrars, and if it’s a life situation we want to put all the pieces in place.”
Philosophy professor Mark Kingwell, who teaches about 500 students in the introductory philosophy course, said students have to be proactive to enjoy their time at the school.
“You really have to figure it out on your own, and make some kind of effort,” he said. “No one is knocking on your door.”
A University College don who asked not to be named echoed this sentiment. “If the student actively seeks out help they will find it, but we don’t go room to room and ask them,” she said of the don’s role in helping students with difficulties.
Kate McIntosh, who did not come back to U of T this year, had a different reaction to her registrar’s advice on taking time off to work. “[The administration] has been fantastic—really, really good,” said McIntosh. “They just assured me it would be no problem [to take time off].”
McIntosh decided not to re-enroll after two years of undergrad in English. “I feel that an undergrad is not the key to success, and what good is an undergrad if you come out $40,000 in debt?” She said her siblings have graduate degrees that they don’t use in their jobs, and severe debt to boot. Nonetheless, she intends to go back to school and plans to save up for it this year.
Fortunately for Slack and McIntosh, the Arts and Sciences faculty has no expiry date on course credits. Students who leave can come back anytime to finish their degrees—if they have the motivation and the finances.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
ACADEMIC
Your College Registrar’s Office should be the first stop—they will provide general information, as well as counselling, on academic, financial, and personal issues. Most importantly, they will recommend and arrange appointments with the appropriate resource. Colleges and some faculties have writing centres to offer help on how to write a paper and give critiques.
The Academic Success Centre gives lectures and group workshops on a wide range of topics, such as time management, exam preparation, stress management, and reading and note-taking. They also offer one-on-one counselling by appointment or on a drop-in basis.
(Koffler Centre at College and St. George, call 416-978-7970 or check out their site at www.asc.utoronto.ca)
FINANCIAL
U of T’s UTAPS program provides funding for students who qualify for OSAP and whose needs exceed the maximum OSAP amount of $350 per week.
Scholarships at U of T are for the most part awarded automatically, and based on grades. The Admissions and Awards Office offers emergency assistance and lists scholarships at adm.utoronto.ca.
HEALTH
Counselling and Psychological Health Services offers U of T students various types of counselling and therapy.
(Koffler Centre at College and St. George, 416-978-8070, www.caps.utoronto.ca)
HOUSING
Student Housing Services provides advice, resources, and contact information on residence, off-campus housing, and emergency, summer, and temporary housing.
(Koffler Centre at College and St. George, 416-978-8045, www.housing.utoronto.ca)
