Two things here. Firstly GPS, we've lost the art of flying by a map (if indeed a GPS was used in this case) Secondly some of the 'blame' needs to go back to whomever signed this guy out for a solo nav.Remember no one was born a pilot, we ALL had to learn the various skills from someone else.
Lets hope this student will be a better pilot due this situation. At the very least he spoke up & thought laterally to get help early rather than try to save a bad situation.
Wmk2