Flunking Out Every Year, Millions

Flunking Out Every year, millions of students enter the halls of higher learning, some for the first time, as a step towards the future and the opportunities afforded in the workplace to those with a college degree. Unfortunately, not all students will graduate and some will not even last for more than a semester. Some students, sadly, will find that they cannot continue because of financial hardship, Rare students, like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and golfer Tiger Woods, find that college actually impedes their pursuit of lucrative endeavors.

There are also a number of students who drop out because they flunk out -- their grades are poor and the institution does not allow them to return. There are no statistics available that show how many students fail because of poor choices and bad work habits -- in other words, factors completely under their own control. The following is a list of ways that practically guarantee you will fail, along with some suggestions for turning things around. How to Flunk Out of College Cut classes.

Why go to class when you can sleep in and borrow the notes from a friend? To answer a question with another question, are you sure your friend goes to class? Beyond that, you know how difficult it can be to decipher your own notes a few hours later, let alone a few days later. It is that much more difficult to try to figure out the meaning of someone else's cryptic scribbles. You may not find out important information about an assignment or an exam.

You will get a zero if the professor gives a pop quiz and you're not there. Remember, too, that some profs take attendance. You'll automatically improve your grade for the course just by showing up. Multitask. Do you attend lectures, but use the time to catch up on your naps? Are you the student who is constantly texting or watching YouTube videos? When you get to class, sit near the front. You're less likely to be tempted to do other things if you make occasional eye contact with your lecturer.

Turn off your cell phone and any other devices, and leave them in your backpack. Procrastinate. Many professors provide a syllabus at the start of a term, spelling out the nature of each assignment and when each is due. You can make sure you get a poor grade by beginning your paper at the last moment. You may discover that your topic is much broader, or narrower, than you first thought, making research more difficult than you anticipated.

To make the situation even more interesting, your computer could crash, your printer could run out of ink, or you could be stricken with a stomach bug -- and your professor has told you already that late papers will not be accepted under any circumstances. Plan ahead, do some work every day, and visit your campus writing center for help, if you need it. Be Disorganized. You can't work effectively if your notes, books, and other materials are scattered all over your dorm room or car.

Designate a place for everything and put things away when you're finished with them. Use a hole punch and three-ring binder for handouts rather than a pocket folder, so they'll be less likely to get lost. Finally, refrain from lending books and notes. If someone else is careless with your things, it can be disastrous for you. Don't Bother to Sleep. If you're determined to flunk out, make sure that you consistently stay up too late. Don't forget to pull an all-nighter at least once a week!

Seriously, take care of yourself by getting enough rest. Gaultney (2010) found that many college students are at risk for sleep disorders, many of these the result of what she calls "poor sleep practices." Try to go to sleep at a reasonable hour each night, at least during the week. A twenty-minute "power nap" in the afternoon may help, but don't sleep any longer than that, or you may have trouble falling asleep at night. Party! Go fetch your toga and get ready to have a good time.

You can stay up too late and drink enough beer to make sure that you are ineffective the next day. Don't wait for Friday or Saturday night. Party every night of.