10 Common Problems Students Face in College

It's like embarking on an adventure when you go to college. Now that you have left high school behind, you enter a whole new world. There will be people you will meet and things you will learn that will shape your future. College, like any other adventure, comes with its challenges. College is designed to test your mettle and prepare you for the bigger challenge called life. So it is not surprising that it can be challenging.

This post discusses the common problems that average college students face and how they can overcome them. Consider this to be your guide to surviving your initial days on campus and, hopefully, the rest of your college years!

1. Social pressures. 

It is usually like this when people seek validation from their peers. People might think you are an anti-social or social recluse if you do not do something considered “hype” or “cool,” even though you are not doing it simply because you don't feel like it; if your friends are doing something that is ‘hype’ or ‘cool’ and you aren’t doing it. 

2. Academic pressure. 

When you compare yourself to others, it's quite common for you to feel that you're not doing well in your subjects, no matter how well you do at them. Numerous universities recognized that even top students might struggle to handle this, as they might fall short of the standards they set for themselves.

It can be overwhelming to be a student or a college student academically. Many factors contribute to the difficulty of handling this challenge for many students. Being overwhelmed by workloads or credit units can present study challenges. 

Depending on the course, this may vary. Depending on the course, students may need to take 12-15 courses totalling 22 - 30 credit units. Some even have to handle about nine or twelve courses from the 100 level until they graduate. Some students find it quite challenging to handle such a heavy workload.

A second problem is an inability to handle distractions. It has become even more difficult to concentrate at school with all the distractions caused by technology. Most students get distracted by their phones, spending long hours on chats and calls they could have spent studying. Therefore, their performance falls short of expectations.

3. Competition 

Another problem students have to deal in schools and colleges is the level of competition they face. Students face a big challenge in competition: clearing examinations with good grades. You should avoid healthy competition because of jealousy or bias from other students, even though it is good for you.

It would be beneficial for students to learn how to groom their personalities beyond their physical attributes. Rather than comparing yourself to others, especially to those who flaunt their luxuries, stop comparing yourself. Decide on a major that interests you and not one that everyone else is supporting. 

You will be more likely to have access to internship and study habits if you have an industry mentor to guide you. This way, you can get great grades and avoid the things that distract you. 

4. Financial anxiety. 

In our experience, most undergraduates now have some (minor) financial difficulties while studying or shortly before graduation. Poor spending habits, not enough allowance from parents, or simply the inability to save more cash than you spend are some of the reasons behind this. In particular, if you are on student loans or something similar, this might be even scarier to think about after graduation.

Having to deal with constant demands for money might make you look like a terrible child. A major challenge students face in Universities/Colleges will always be money. Most institutions charge high tuition fees, but students need money for various other expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, shopping, hand-outs, and other expenses. Many students have dropped out of school because of this one challenge. This challenge can be overcome by cutting expenses and finding partial income sources.

5. Time management 

It is very stressful to be in college. You have classes, projects, clubs, and organizations as a student. It makes sense when students feel overwhelmed by all these commitments and need even more time to complete all of the necessary tasks. Your grades may suffer due to missing classes, dropping out of classes, and turning in coursework that isn't up to the mark in the future. One of the common sentiments that college students have is that there is never enough time.

College is a time when you believe you can have all the fun in the world, fulfil your goals, and create lifelong memories. However, you should also understand that you may not be able to do all of that in such a limited time. Make good use of your time by managing it wisely. Prioritize what you need to accomplish, avoid procrastination, and work on only what you know you handle easily. Make sure to spend adequate time resting and relaxing, but avoid wasting your precious time on those activities that are wasteful. 

6. Unexpected illness

Sickness is also one of the problems college students face. The chances of avoiding getting sick are slim to none. Some of those years you spend in college will be spent in bed waiting out a sickness such as the seasonal flu or a cold. It is unlikely that your parents or siblings will be able to care for you if you fall ill in college. Your friends may be able to look after you while you recover, but they may not be able to do so all the time. When you are in college, it is particularly challenging to get sick.

Being proactive regarding your health is the best way to handle this problem. In order to boost your immune system, you should consume a well-balanced, nutritious diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. You may not be able to prevent getting sick, but staying fit certainly increases your chances of beating it sooner. Discover what health services and initiatives are available on your campus. The sooner you get medical attention, the better your chances of recovering quickly.

7. Homesickness

When a student enters college, homesickness is their first and foremost problem. Having to stay away from home and family can cause you to get homesick. You can think of no more common problem than homesickness.

Approximately 60% of new students miss their families back home and feel separated from them. It is good news, though, since only one in ten students has trouble handling homesickness. Students can beat homesickness even if they try hard enough.  

8. Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a significant challenge students face in university, particularly as freshmen. The effects of peer pressure on students can be negative. That's why it's so important to address it. According to Wikipedia, peer pressure is:

'Peer pressure occurs when people are directly influenced by their peers, or when individuals are encouraged to follow their peers by changing their values, attitudes, or behaviours to conform to their peers' attitudes.'

Stay away from such companies if you feel pressured to do something you do not want to do. You should stay away from toxic people. Toxic people come in different forms. Avoid those who negatively influence you.

9. Community and Relationships

It will be difficult for students to say goodbye to old friends. During vacations and by email, they can keep in touch. They may part ways in some cases. Students who have been friends since grade school may be surprised and saddened by this news. During the course of the course, students will encounter a wide range of people from a variety of backgrounds. 

The differences between cultures, racial groups, sexual orientations, religions, values, and lifestyles are many. Starting over with new people can be overwhelming. Making new friends can be challenging. As a result, students can also develop a new sense of identity. As well as feelings of acceptance, there will also be feelings of rejection. New ideas, new people, and rejection can take a lot of energy to cope with.

10. Food and dietary habits 

Undoubtedly, dining in a healthy way is practically impossible for most college students. A person who is living away from home, probably for the first time, will have limited culinary options. Some students might even have the option of shopping for groceries daily and preparing meals inside their dorms. 

Kitchens are not accessible to others. Many students prefer fast foods and processed foods to meet their daily meals, while some of them skip out on meals altogether. Negative health effects have been linked to such poor diet practices, however. It is important to plan your meals ahead of time to ensure that you have adequate nutrition. 

Cooking meals for the week can be done during the weekend in your kitchen and stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, you can find healthy, affordable options around campus. Whenever possible, choose healthier processed foods. The consumption of oatmeal bars is better than the consumption of a packet of chips, for example.