As parents we might be trying to force a lot of square pegs into round holes.

Maybe we should admit that not everyone is destined for University.  University requires a certain kind of student: someone who can calmly read and write for long periods of time; someone who has strong, detail oriented concentration skills, even under intense time pressure.  Basically, someone who has a academic turn of mind.
Before spending a small fortune and taking out student loans, young people and their families should really reflect on whether university is the right choice.

My husband was a barely passing student and couldn't stand  classes at the couple of universities his parents forced him to attend.  Finally he told them he hated it.  He worked in the restaurant business and bought his own eventually.  In fact, he should have started working even earlier, in high school. It would have saved him years of feeling badly that he didn't care about school beyond simple arithmetic and reading.