What do you do if your Higher Education career is plagued by failure and you need a support network?

Success and failures are two sides of the same coin. Generally, failures, if analysed and used properly, can be stepping stones of success! In HE space, even if one encounters some academic challenges, new NEP policies like ABC (Academic Bank of Credit) can be of help as one can make multiple exits (MEME)) with certificates and diploma rather than degrees & obtain generalized degrees instead of the specialized ones. Another way to tackle issues of academic failures is the route of 'Skills’ which is now more acceptable part of all HE courses and institutions. Another one could be the route of ’Entrepreneurship’. Both these are fairly independent of pure academic performances. Yes, peer support can help but your will and way is key to it.

Success is not the end with higher education career. There are plenty of skills are required for success in engineering profession include technical , cognitive and soft skills. However, old saying is also failure is not the final. Success and failure always gives learning experience to proceed further in our life with various options.

In times of career challenges and setbacks, seeking support is crucial. Engage with mentors, peers, or counselors who can offer guidance, perspective, and encouragement. Networking events, professional organizations, and online communities provide valuable resources and connections. Additionally, consider self-care practices like mindfulness, exercise, and setting realistic goals to manage stress and build resilience. Remember, setbacks are opportunities for growth and learning.

Peers are your best resource. The college will have a lot of resources available for you, but your peers will be your connections when you graduate. Form connections now, and see what seems to work for different individuals to start building your own process for success. -I used to meet peers for coffee at 1 a.m. to get that burst of energy to finish a paper before it was due at 8 a.m. These relationships are ones that I still have today.

Whenever any of us is struggling with failure our natural response is to get smaller. Which is why the first step in overcoming failure is your awareness of it and the understanding that there is always something that can be learned, even from a bad experience. In truth we have to fail to learn but not if we isolate ourselves.

Institutions of higher education provide invaluable counseling services to support students holistically. These confidential resources offer assistance in navigating academic challenges and personal struggles, fostering emotional well-being essential for academic success. Trained professionals facilitate the development of coping strategies, enhance mental health, and promote a balanced approach to studies. Recognizing the interconnectedness of mental wellness and academic performance, students are encouraged to utilize these services proactively. By engaging with counseling support, individuals can cultivate resilience, manage stress effectively, and optimize their overall collegiate experience.

Students seeking assistance from mental care professionals is not highly propagated. While institutions are struggling to integrate mental health services with education, there is paramount scope of work to be done in this front. Both by institutions and individuals. Data shows alarmingly high levels of mental stress among students. While stress is imperative, the unhealthy levels need to be identified and addressed. The cases of student suicide even from highly accoladed institutions cannot be dismissed. Indian systems of learning integrated growing at various levels from Gurukul system. Attitude formations, personality, perceptions etc., without professional interventions will result in lopsided learning, ignoring elephant in the room.

Failure is a consistent companion in academia, but learning from failure is crucial to keep moving forward. The basic formula of academic success is publishing success, and this requires excellence in writing. If you feel your writing needs improving, finding the right guidance to support you - through courses and coaching will help you move forward.

Out of the box thinking: Once a student gets into HE, one must understand it is time for independent learning and developing accurate perspectives about any situations to handle. College, faculty and institutions are sure a great place or frameworks to grow. In the larger context, to those who cannot afford all these due to financial and time constraints, there is another way of working on learning. Reading extensively, hearing podcasts / educative videos everyday with specific topics on mind ( and time) helps to set a comprehensive outlook of the situation. It helps form a precise mindset of framing the problem, to start with, which is quite vital even before reaching varied levels of solution oriented thinking.

When faced with colleagues in higher education who exhibit resistance to collaboration, it's essential to approach the situation with patience, understanding, and proactive communication. Engage in open dialogue to uncover the root causes of their reluctance and address any concerns they may have. Highlight the benefits of collaboration, such as enhanced creativity, shared resources, and improved student outcomes. Additionally, lead by example by demonstrating the value of collaboration through your own actions and initiatives. By fostering a culture of cooperation and emphasizing the collective goals of advancing education, we can overcome resistance and build stronger collaborative relationships within the academic community.

I really tried hard getting my degree in 1999, I had everything ready besides the final thesis. I didn’t get any support and it didn’t work out for me. So about 25 years later, I tried again. I went to classes, got my grades and in the end, my final thesis failed. I got hardly any support. It is a frustrating experience, since I have one last chance or I’m doomed to fail forever. I just don’t know where to get the power to start over again.

Take a step back and reevaluate your goals. It is highly possible that your desire is not aligned with your stated aim or your end goal is *not* along the chosen path. This isn't personal reflection (internal), this is more like systems analysis (external).

For me , if something is not going well then, I self retrospect myself and try to be empathetic. That pretty much will solve the problem. Also, seeking guidance, learning new things, taking constructive feedback are important.

Walking through the tunnel of failure towards its end: Case in Point - A lady who wanted to do PhD. She had impending work, professionally and inevitable household chores, perennially. She was married and had no support systems. There was a fight or flight conflict within her at the point where she realised, she had only her for her refuge. With her indomitable will and deep commitment, she persisted with her efforts to get her doctorate. Today, she is at a place where people think more than twice to speak to her, professionally and in her family. Her life isn’t just inspiring but highlights the fact that battling failures in HE isn’t all about knowledge, but also about being authentic, committed and making learning a way of one’s life.