Analysis of the Mechanisms and Challenges Underlying Graduation Delays Among Undergraduate Sports Students

Abstract

As a significant segment of higher education students, sports students possess distinct identity attributes. Compared to "academic students," "arts and sports students" face more severe graduation delays. Through case interviews with sports students at a Double First-Class university in Southwest China, this study reveals that characteristics such as training experiences, mindset, and learning motivation, coupled with the absence of effective academic supervision mechanisms, peer support, and parental backing in universities, render sports students more susceptible to becoming habitual truant students and academically struggling individuals. This leads to their gradual marginalisation in both interpersonal and academic spheres, ultimately resulting in delayed graduation. The path to redemption for delayed graduation among sports students requires reconstructing their value systems, refining academic guidance frameworks, enhancing psychological resilience, and rebuilding social support functions. Such measures may mitigate delayed graduation rates and foster holistic student development.