Ana finished lower secondary school a few months ago. She struggled to finish the programme and one of the teachers suggested that she might be better suited for a vocational programme in upper secondary, rather than the mainstream programme. As she is interested in artistic expression, she decided to enroll in a photography programme. She now realises that this programme requires a high level of technical knowledge and feels that she does not have the necessary skills to succeed. Her self-esteem is low and she is frequently absent from classes.

For some students, there is a mismatch between their expectations and the actual requirements of a programme. They struggle to follow the classes and often feel frustrated. They may not receive support from their parents, or might feel uncomfortable with their peers.