When students get admission into a university, they are happy because they feel university life is exciting as they will make new friends, get to meet new people, have opportunities to learn new things. However, university life comes with numerous challenges that can impact a student’s studies and daily life.
Challenges faced by students are:
Academic pressure: Not all students are fast learners. University courses are much more difficult than secondary school subjects and most students find it hard to adapt because they are not use to it. Also, lecturers can come into the class and provide small details about the course and tell the students to figure the rest out by themselves, by researching online, and know more about the course by themselves, which might be hard for them. Some lectures may only come to class once, till the day of the exam. Students will be given many assignments with strict deadlines on when to submit, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Without proper planning and time management, this pressure can affect their studies and health.
Financial problem: Many students depend on their parents or guardians for school fees, hostel/lodge fees, foodstuff, and personal needs. Sometimes, not all parents will be able to afford the bill continuously due to the country’s situation, or sometimes the money sent to the students are not enough, which can make some students work part-time jobs. This can make it hard for students to focus on their studies. In some cases, financial problems can even cause students to drop out.
Health challenges: This can be caused by stress from studies, financial problems, and so many other things that can lead to depression, over thinking, lack of sleep, skipping meals, and other mental problems. Many students prefer not to talk about their problem or seek help because they are afraid of being judged. It is important to talk to family or friends when they are feeling disturbed.
Social challenges: Moving into a place, meeting new people, and adapting to different cultures and environments can be stressful. Some students find it hard to adapt to their new environment, making them feel lonely or homesick because they are away from their family for the first time. Peer pressure can also make students make poor decisions, such as spending money on trending things that are not useful, spending time going to parties or other events, scrolling through social media every day, and getting involved in unhealthy habits, which can take away time for study. Students should learn how to balance their social life with academic responsibilities.
Poor study habits: many students find it hard to study every day. They may read without understanding it or leave it till the day of the exam, but they will read. This can often lead to poor grades. Learning proper study techniques, asking questions in class to understand, you can ask your lecturers, course mates, or friends, and managing time well can help students overcome these challenges.