Pathify survey finds nearly half of US college students have missed deadlines due to digital fragmentation

A new survey conducted by campus platform provider Pathify has found that fragmented digital systems are interfering with student success at US colleges and universities.

Pathify surveyed more than 1,000 students about their experiences of using digital systems at college and found a widening gap between the expectations of students and the quality of service provided. 

More than half of students (57 percent) said their institution’s digital experience causes them stress “sometimes”, while 41 percent said this stress has a negative impact on their ability to learn or succeed academically.

Nearly half of students (47 percent) said they had even missed a critical deadline, such as an assignment, payment, or registration deadline, as a direct result of navigating siloed digital portals. 

"Today's students live fully digital lives, yet the systems meant to support them create friction instead of clarity," comments Shana Holman, Head of Strategic Engagement and Alliances for Pathify. "Our survey shows that fragmented, difficult-to-navigate digital systems actively undermine student belonging and trust. Institutions must see modern digital infrastructure as a core driver of student success and institutional resilience."

The current state of digital systems leaves many students unable to connect with their peers, as only 33 percent said they were using institutional technologies to find clubs or campus groups. Many students turn to flyers, signs or word-of-mouth instead. 65 percent of students said they wished their college would make it easier to discover groups and clubs online. 

Almost all (95 percent) of students said they would be either “somewhat” or “very likely” to use a unified digital platform if their institution offered one, reflecting a shift in student expectations.