For most people, one of their fondest memories in life is their time spent in college. College is an exciting time, where you meet new people, learn interesting subjects and have new experiences. Despite this, student life still comes with its set of challenges and roadblocks and although each person’s experience is unique, there are certain problems that almost all students have in common during their time in college.
Below, we take a look at the most common college problems and how to avoid chronic lack of motivation and low productivity.
Academic Difficulties
Everyone isn’t equally prepared when they come to college. It’s considerably more challenging to attend classes at college than in high school. First of all, since professors aren’t pressuring you to study and complete assignments, you are required to be much more self-reliant. Many students end up not having enough self-discipline and quickly fall behind their peers. This adjustment can be very overwhelming and difficult for students whose educations did not prepare them for the rigorous curriculum of university.
One of the ways to address these issues is to look and see whether your college offers any program designed to help students transition to the difficulties of college life and integrate if they’re not adjusting well with the rest of the college community. You can also take matters into your own hands and find online homework help for any subject and learn other successful teaching methods that can significantly improve your academic performance.
Time Management
Studying generally requires a lot more effort and study time when compared to high school at college and this is where good time management comes into play. If you constantly feel like you’re having to keep up with meeting deadlines and end up having to stay late at night to finish an assignment, this is a sign that you need to focus on improving your time management skills. This means that you must stay on top of it all by being more organized, keeping a list of what and when must it be done, and avoiding putting off assignments and homework.
It also means that you should have a proper routine, get up earlier in the morning, plan out your day and try to allocate time to each of your subjects so you can be more productive.
Difficulty Concentrating
When you feel like you’re having difficulty concentrating, one of the first things to do is to eliminate distractions such as social media, TV, music, and outings with friends as they play a big part in inhibiting students’ ability to focus on studying. You must find a way to overcome the power of these external distractions. Poor concentration can lead to procrastination which is the worst enemy for any student looking to boost their studies.
To increase your concentration levels, try to clear your head before you start working and go for a brisk walk or do some exercise. If you don’t know where to start, you can also talk to the school counselor who might provide you with different tools, and tips to address this.
To focus more easily, find the right learning style for you. Some students thrive better when they study in total isolation while others learn better in the company of fellow students. For this reason, try to experiment with different learning styles and see what suits you most. This will ultimately help you retain information better, focus better, and do better.
Remember to always give yourself the time to get some rest as students often have difficulty concentrating as a result of working too hard. When well-rested, you’ll return to your studies more refreshed and with better energy levels.
Financial Woes
It’s well-known that the cost of college is becoming increasingly expensive, causing students to take on a considerable amount of debt to pursue their dream education. They might also have to work part-time or even full-time while taking classes which adds to the pressure. Financial woes can also make it difficult for students to concentrate on their classes. When juggling college and work, it’s not easy for them to write term papers and study for important exams. This harms their academic progress but fortunately, there are great options for students who are facing financial dilemmas.
Make sure to take advantage of all the financial aid possibilities that are available for students and know that today you might find excellent grants and scholarships. Also, a good tip is to reduce expenses by searching for cheaper housing and transportation options.
Bottom Line
Everyone goes through a period of struggle when in college but with the right mindset and tools, you will be able to get back on track and solve whatever difficulty you’re experiencing.
