Lack of Preparedness
The first year of college is often a major transition. Students leave home for the first time, balance work, school and other activities, and must make the majority of their life decisions independently. In some cases, students aren't mentally, emotionally or academically ready to succeed in college classes. Some lack the necessary motivation and work ethic. Others struggle with the emotional difficulties that come with being on their own. Colleges often offer personal counselors who work specifically with students trying to balance academics with personal life challenges.
Poor Attendance
One of the surest ways to fail a class is to consistently miss it. Some courses include grading components, such as in-class activities, pop quizzes and team projects that can't be made up. In many instances, the bigger issues is that you are out of the loop in a number of ways. Missing classes can lead to missed homework assignments, papers and projects, especially if you don't check in regularly with the instructor. You also miss critical discussions of topics and content, which can lead to poor performance on tests.