This is a repost from another blog, but I think it’s pertinent information to discovering your blueprint. Please let me know your thoughts:

For some students, getting accepted to a university is only the first in an uphill battle toward a degree. Persevering long enough to graduate can be just as challenging.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed in 2000 that one in three Americans drops out of college. This is an increase from the 1960s when one in five discontinued his or her studies.

Some studies indicate that a considerable proportion of college dropouts come from low-income families. The U.S. Department of Education found that 41% of low-income students enrolled in a four-year institution managed to graduate within five years. For higher income students, this jumps to 66%. Of the low income students that did not return, 47% left in good academic standing.

Though research links financial difficulties to dropout rates, there are a number of factors that account for why students decide to leave school. Students tend to drop out because their expectations of college—academically, socially, or both—don’t match up with the reality once they get there. They also suffer from lack of motivation, inadequate preparation, and poor study skills.

The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that dropout rates are particularly high for African American and Hispanic students. Other student populations at greater risk of dropping out include those who are the first in their family to attend college, those who have limited English proficiency, and nontraditional students such as returning adult students.

Few students who drop out eventually finish their education. Those that do return to college usually don’t do it immediately. About 12% of the undergraduate population consists of re-entry students. These students are defined as those over the age of 25.

Many college students—especially dropouts—are burdened with debt accumulated from loans that could have been avoided or minimized by choosing other education and training options. Debt from student loans hurt those who never finish college. Most dropouts are left with big debts and mediocre job prospects.

It is estimated that 40% of college students will leave higher education without getting a degree, with 75% percent of these students leaving within their first two years of college. Freshman class attrition rates are typically greater than any other academic year and are commonly as high as 20-30%. These statistics show a need for colleges to do something about retention rates.

An alarming number of schools have no specific plan or goals in place to improve student retention and degree completion. Colleges tend to put the blame on students, rather than on themselves. College officials, when given lists of both student and institution characteristics that might affect a student’s decision to drop out, identified 13 student characteristics that they felt significantly contribute to student attrition. In contrast, respondents identified only two institution characteristics as having a significant impact on attrition. It is quite troubling that colleges are still inclined to hold students largely responsible for their retention, while dramatically minimizing the institutional role in this problem.

When a student drops out of college, everyone loses—the student, the college, and the greater society. College retention rates are important issues that impact not only colleges, but our country and its future competitiveness in the global economy.

Students’ academic readiness is a key factor in college retention. Students who are well prepared for college coursework are more likely to stay in school. Academic help alone is not enough to keep many students in school. Students also need individual support to feel connected to the campus community. Helping students succeed in the classroom is a very positive step, but if students feel isolated or feel as if they don’t fit in, they won’t stay. It’s important for colleges to offer programs and services that integrate first-year students into the social fabric of the college community, so that they feel a part of campus life from the very start of their college experience.

Some schools are establishing practices that appear to be highly effective in increasing student retention. These include social integration practices,multicultural centers, new academic advising practices, and learning support practices. Student retention is everyone’s business on a college campus and a thoroughly integrated and coordinated approach needs to be taken to assure success.

Many colleges have not yet made retention efforts a high priority. Fewer than half (47%) of all college officials responding to an ACT survey say they have established a goal for improved retention of first-year students, and only a third (33%) say they have established a goal for improved degree completion. In addition, only around half (52%) say they have an individual on staff that is responsible for coordinating retention strategies.

Author is: Gayla Martindale

Read more: College Drop Out Rates – Who’s to Blame? – StateUniversity.com Blog

Normally I will not write about things that are out of our control, but I have a serious issue with the US Government. I was reading the Wall Street Journal on November 2nd and I learned that CIT, which is one of the largest small business lenders has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. What makes me upset about this situation is that CIT was given a $2.3 billion bailout by the Bush Administration and yesterday the US Government said that CIT did not have to pay back the money. That is $2.3 billion of taxpayers money. You know how many people have to work for years to cover $2.3 billion of money that this country will never see again. Furthermore, this allows CIT to get back on their feet with minimal pain.

You may be asking how does this apply to me, well many of the fabrics for your clothes and the upholstery for your furniture depend on cash advances from CIT. The federal government keeps stepping in to save embattled companies like Citi and General Motors. To tell a company that they don’t have to payback taxpayer money is incomprehensible and political suicide. I understand what President Obama is trying to accomplish, but this was a decision that was made for the short-term and further decreases the idea of capitalism. I guess when the budget is $11 trillion, what’s another $2.3 billion.

Any thoughts?

I was listening to Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and I heard something that was so profound, I had to blog about it. I spend time reading and researching about topics that can help people improve their life and as I was listening to this record, Michael was saying words, like, “you got leave that 9-5 up on the shelf and just enjoy yourself…live your life off the wall.” We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget to enjoy ourselves. Sometimes we are so aggravated with the events and circumstances that happen to us in our lives that we neglect the stress relieving activities like having a good dance, or enjoying the company of our loved ones. What are you going to do to change your situation? Make an effort to live your life differently by enjoying yourself, we only get one shot. You will be surprised by the results.

Please check out the video below. I don’t think any commentary is needed.

When I was growing up I never had an appreciation for going to the beach. My mindset when thinking about the beach was that it was extremely far away to get to and the sand was always extremely hot. By the time I reached the water my feet were completely red. This was my experience every time that I went to Wildwood, New Jersey. How times have changed as well as my blueprint.

I was reintroduced to the beach when I married back in 2002 and I now have an infatuation with going to the beach. What do I appreciate about going to the beach so much? I realized that Wildwood was not the norm. Beaches are actually closer than what I thought. I enjoy taking in the fresh air and the breeze that is smoothe and cool. I love looking to into the ocean as far as my eyes can see to allow me to dream and visualize new opportunities. Being close to the beach makes feel strong mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I am more at peace with everything that may be going on around me and I appreciate what God has created. I’m not sure why being at the beach makes me feel this way, maybe it’s the salt air that relaxes me to the point that I fall asleep like a piece of deadwood.

With everything that is happening with the economy, health care reform, deadlines for my book, obtaining new clients and the doldrums of everyday life, it is great to get to the beach to cure all thoughts and worries. Taking a long walk down the beach with my wife reminiscing about our life together and reconnecting is something special. I don’t have to pay a therapist to get the type of serenity that I can get from going to the coast. I love the fact that going to the beach is free, except in New Jersey, which is why I hate New Jersey.  There is nothing more relaxing than feeling the water on your feet as you walk down the beach or laying under an umbrella reading a great personal development book. Stay tuned for the when we purchase our beach home.