“Approximately 11.2% of Stellenbosch University (SU) first time first-years drop out after the first year of study,” says Loumarie Kistner, data-analyst at SU Information Governance.
The rate of 11,2% is below the national average.
“The trend did not change significantly over the past five years.” If the trend holds, 591 of SU first-years won’t return after the June exams.
Students studying for mid-year exams on the Rooiplein. PHOTO: Bonita Williams
We have seen the SU retention rate rise somewhat over the past three years,” says SU Spokesperson, Martin Viljoen. At SU, as with most institutions of higher education, the standard term “retention rate” is used. “The retention rate is the percentage of students out of the total number of first year students returning to the University after their first year of study to continue in the second year of study,” he says.
Stellenbosch students studying on the grass next to the Rooiplein. PHOTO:Bonita Williams
“Yes, there were various avenues open to me, however at the time I didn’t see my way to them,” says Vee Wyngaard (23), a BA Humanities student who dropped out of SU. “It is only afterwards that I became aware of all the help available. Not that I was ready to ask for help at the time anyway.”
These avenues include the First Year Academy. According to the website “the FYA is a university-wide initiative that aims to improve first-year students’ success rates, with the aid of a variety of research activities, programmes and projects. Each faculty has programme-specific interventions that contribute towards improved academic achievement of all first-year students. Using electronic communication systems, a variety of monitoring mechanisms offer early warning to students and refer them to appropriate assistance.”
“I am still ashamed for not making the cut so to speak. My mentor-who was wonderful, asked me the other day how studies are going and I still have not responded. All they know is I no longer live on res,” says a former SU engineering student (22) who dropped out in 2016.
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Mentors are senior students who are appointed in residences and PSO’s to assist new students with their adjustment to university life. Each new student should have access to a mentor. The mentor plays a key role during the welcoming period with general assistance regarding university life queries and psychosocial support. “Mentor groups are not bigger than 12 students. Mentors receive thorough training throughout the year to support and to monitor each student’s progress – academically but also socially,” says Viljoen.
- This story has been edited to correct the headline. A previous headline said the SU dropout rate is above the national average. It is below the national average. In 2015 a report by the Department of Higher Education showed that 47,9% of students at all universities in the country did not complete their studies.