Factors associated with academic failure in university students of Barranquilla (Colombia)

ResumenEl fracaso academico es un problema que afrontan los estudiantes que presentan un rendimiento academico deficiente, lo cual los lleva en poco tiempo a desertar o son expulsados del sistema educativo. Se considera que es un problema multicausal, pero para afrontarlo es necesario indagar desde los mismos estudiantes que es lo que mas los puede estar afectando. Para indagar sobre los factores asociados a este problema se llevo a cabo un estudio descriptivo con estudiantes de psicologia en una universidad privada de Barranquilla (Colombia). Se entrevisto a 38 estudiantes que asistian a un programa exclusivo para aquellos con muy bajo rendimiento academico y que estaban en riesgo de salir del programa o habian sido remitidos por los profesores. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes no recibieron una orientacion vocacional adecuada antes de ingresar a los estudios superiores que les permitiera analizar sus capacidades y habilidades con respecto a una carrera profesional. Ademas manifiestan limitaciones en sus competencias de concentracion y atencion, en la distribucion del tiempo, en la deficiente utilizacion de tecnicas de estudio, y en la poca asistencia a clases por la baja motivacion en las actividades academicas. La relacion con su familia la consideraron satisfactoria. Se observa que las acciones para reducir el fracaso deben ser emprendidas antes del ingreso a la universidad, con estrategias de estudio y afrontamiento que les brinden a los jovenes las mejores opciones entre sus intereses y capacidades con las oportunidades que les ofrece la sociedad en la cual viviran.Palabras clave: Estudiantes universitarios, fracaso academico, Barranquilla, Psicologia.AbstractAcademic failure is a problem faced by students with deficient academic performance. This eventually leads them to drop out or to be expelled of the academic system. This is considered a multi-causal problem, but in order to face it, it is necessary to find out among the affected students, what is the main reason for this. In order to search for the associated factors, a descriptive study was developed with Psychology students in a private university of Barranquilla. 38 students assisting to a special program for low performance students at risk of being expelled of their programs were interviewed, as well as some others who had been submitted by their teachers. Results indicate that these students had not received professional orientation before starting their undergraduate studies, which would have allowed them to analyze their capabilities and abilities with respect to a professional career. They also report some limitations in their concentration and attention abilities, in time distribution, deficient use of study techniques, low class assistance due to lack of motivation in academic activities. They rated as satisfactory their family relations. It was observed that the actions to be taken to reduce failure must be developed before registering at the university. They should include study and management strategies that would offer students better opportunities to develop their interests and abilities in the options offered by the society in which they will live.Key words: Wniversity students, academic failure, Barranquilla, psychology.