South Africa’s student dropout rates remain worryingly high, with a recent study revealing that as much as 60% of students drop out in their first year of studies.

And while most people might attribute those dropouts to students failing multiple subjects, the reality is that there’s a quieter group who are slipping through the cracks: students who are doing “just fine”. They’re not failing, but they aren’t thriving either.

These are the so-called “orange students”, according to Margi Boosey, Academic Manager at IIE Varsity College, who are passing, but want more. In this case, a student achieving 60% might want to push their grades to 75%, while another may want to improve focus, manage anxiety or simply make a friend. But without the right support, these students often plateau or quietly disengage. Some eventually drop out – not because they aren’t capable, but because no one noticed they needed help.

A coaching model that meets students where they are

In response, IIE Varsity College launched its Goal. Set. Success programme, a first-of-its-kind coaching initiative aimed at supporting first-year students across ten campuses and the institution’s online centre. The programme offers one-on-one professional coaching during second semester to help students build confidence, set meaningful goals and stay on track with achieving them.

“After a lot of observation and research, we recognised that support shouldn’t just exist as a reactive measure,” says Boosey. “There are students who appear to be coping, passing adequately and seem to be doing fine, but you’ll find they still need guidance, structure and someone in their corner to help them push a little further, whether it’s academically, emotionally or even socially.”

After applying, students are matched with a professional coach and over the course of three coaching sessions within the semester, they work together to set personal and academic goals. These could centre on improving marks, finding balance, joining a sports team, or simply raising a hand in class.

Beyond marks: mindset shifts and meaningful change

Many students who participated in the pilot phase of the programme reported better time management, reduced anxiety and higher marks. “Her biggest breakthrough was finding her sense of grounding,” reported one coach of a participating student. “She feels more in control of her life, as she is now prioritising her time and learning to achieve better balance.”

Another student, after struggling with depression, said she “now feels she has a purpose and aim and something to look forward to.”

Coaches have also reported “phenomenal results” not only in the academic arena, but also in students’ self-belief, self-confidence and their ability to manage relationships and stress.

“The coaching helps them realise they’re not just passengers in their own lives,” adds Boosey. “The goal is to help them shift from a mindset of ‘this is happening to me’ to ‘I have choices. I’m in control’. Rather than allocating institutional resources to students on the edge of failure, this programme centres on providing support to the motivated, average-performing ‘orange’ students to help them tap into their incredible potential.”

To learn more about the Goal. Set. Success programme and how it supports first-year students, visit www.varsitycollege.co.za.