Tackling the Biggest Barriers to Student Success in Higher Ed

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and higher education is no exception. As institutions face growing complexities in meeting the needs of modern students, AI offers an exciting opportunity to create personalized learning experiences, streamline administrative processes and ultimately reshape the student experience.

As we approach the 2024-2025 academic year, it is clear that AI can play a pivotal role in addressing the many challenges facing both students and higher education institutions. From improving academic performance to alleviating financial stress, AI has the potential to make higher education more accessible, inclusive and effective for all.

This blog will explore how AI is tackling the top 5 challenges college students face in the upcoming academic year and how institutions can use AI to enhance student support systems.

The Role of AI in Higher Education

AI is already making waves in higher education through adaptive learning technologies, predictive analytics and automated administrative functions. AI has been hailed for its ability to create efficiencies in processes such as enrollment, course management and student advising. According to a Deloitte report on the latest trends in higher education, institutions that adopt AI are well-positioned to improve student outcomes and streamline their operations.

At the core of AI’s impact is its ability to provide personalized experiences that meet the unique needs of individual students. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI can offer tailored support, whether it’s in academic advising, career planning or mental health resources. The potential for AI to predict student success and recommend interventions before problems arise is key to its transformative power.

The Top 5 Challenges for College Students in 2024-2025

To understand how AI is helping students, let’s examine the top 5 challenges they are expected to face in the upcoming academic year:

1. Mental health concerns
2. Financial strain
3. Job market uncertainty
4. Remote learning adjustments
5. Social connectivity and community building

1. Mental Health Concerns

Mental health issues have become a growing crisis on college campuses, with many students reporting feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. The pressure to succeed academically, balance personal life and plan for the future has become overwhelming for a large percentage of the student population.

How AI Can Help: AI-powered platforms are making it easier to identify early signs of mental health struggles. By analyzing student data, such as attendance, grades and engagement, AI systems can detect patterns that may indicate a student is struggling. AI can then trigger early interventions by notifying advisors or counselors, who can reach out with the appropriate support before the situation worsens.

For students, AI chatbots and virtual assistants offer another layer of support by providing access to mental health resources at any time of day. These tools can answer common questions, suggest wellness practices and guide students toward on-campus counseling services.

2. Financial Strain

The rising costs of tuition and living expenses have left many students financially burdened. For many, the stress of managing loans, budgeting for daily expenses and affording textbooks makes it difficult to focus on their studies.

How AI Can Help: AI is helping students navigate the complexities of financial aid and personal finance. AI-driven financial aid platforms can guide students through the process of applying for scholarships, loans and grants, streamlining what has traditionally been a time-consuming and confusing process.

In addition, AI tools can provide students with personalized budgeting advice, helping them allocate their funds more effectively. These tools can also offer real-time updates on financial aid status, reducing uncertainty and alleviating stress.

3. Job Market Uncertainty

In today’s fast-changing economy, students are increasingly uncertain about their post-graduation prospects. With automation and AI transforming industries, the traditional career paths that once guaranteed stability are no longer reliable. As a result, many students worry that their chosen fields of study may not lead to gainful employment.

How AI Can Help: AI is playing a critical role in helping students align their education with the demands of the job market. AI-driven career planning platforms analyze industry trends and job market data to help students understand which skills are in demand. By providing personalized career advice, these systems can recommend internships, certifications or additional coursework that will enhance students’ employability.

Additionally, AI-powered career services platforms offer resume-building tools, interview practice sessions and job search recommendations. These tools help students tailor their job applications to the specific needs of employers, increasing their chances of landing a job after graduation.

4. Remote Learning Adjustments

The shift to remote and hybrid learning models has brought both opportunities and challenges for students. While online learning offers flexibility, many students struggle with engagement, time management and maintaining academic motivation.

How AI Can Help: AI is improving the online learning experience by offering personalized learning pathways that adapt to each student’s progress. These systems track how students interact with course materials and adjust content delivery accordingly, ensuring that students receive the support they need at the right time.

AI-powered tutoring systems are also becoming increasingly sophisticated, providing instant feedback on assignments and offering personalized recommendations for further study. In this way, AI helps students stay on track, even in a virtual environment.

5. Social Connectivity and Community Building

One of the most significant challenges for students is the sense of isolation that can come with college life, particularly in the post-pandemic world. Building meaningful relationships and forming a sense of belonging is crucial to student success, but many students struggle to find their place on campus.

How AI Can Help: AI can help students connect with their peers and campus resources in new and meaningful ways. By analyzing student interests, academic goals and extracurricular activities, AI can recommend campus organizations, clubs or events that align with a student’s passions. This creates more opportunities for students to engage with the campus community, fostering a greater sense of belonging.

Additionally, AI can help institutions identify students who are at risk of social isolation, allowing for timely interventions that encourage these students to participate in campus life.

Empowering Students, Supporting Advisors, and Driving Institutional Success

For Students:

Advisor.AI puts students in control of their academic and career journey with real-time, personalized guidance. Whether they’re choosing a major, building a resume in minutes, or tracking their academic progress, our intuitive platform gives students the tools they need to succeed—anytime, anywhere. By connecting them to timely support and clear career pathways, Advisor.AI builds confidence, reduces stress, and helps students stay focused on graduating with purpose.

For Advisors:

Advisor.AI helps advisors do what they do best—support students—by streamlining the rest. With automated tools for course tracking, career planning, and routine communication, advisors can reduce administrative load and focus on meaningful, high-impact conversations. Built-in analytics and case management tools make it easy to prioritize outreach, monitor progress, and intervene early when students need extra support.

For Institutions:

Advisor.AI equips institutions with the insights and infrastructure needed to improve student retention, boost graduation rates, and drive engagement at scale. Our platform transforms advising into a data-driven, proactive function—one that aligns with institutional goals while meeting the evolving needs of today’s students. With Advisor.AI, institutions can deliver personalized support that drives student success and operational efficiency across the board.

Originally published on LinkedIn on September 19, 2024.