Common Problems Students Face During University Life: Starting university is like starting a new life. When students leave home for university, they embark on a new journey, one that of self-reliance and self-discovery, which largely shapes up their outlook on life in the longer run.
Most students are not prepared for the challenges of university and end up being overwhelmed, which results in them taking extra time to adjust to their new life. That is fine, as long as you eventually get comfortable with university life, but a far better course of action would be to prepare yourself, mentally and emotionally, for any problem you may face at the college and university level.
Adjusting to a New Life
Regardless of whether you’re a new student to the university environment or if you are headed back to campus after long months of vacation back at home, you will require some adjustment period. In university life, the first year is often extra hard due to the change in your routine among many other things. You should expect to get a shock in the general university culture due to how different things are in comparison to life at home. Give yourself an allowance of adjustment time and also expect to have some bamboozling experiences such as tough exams. However, amidst all these uncertainties, ensure that you remain confident that you will eventually adjust and fall in love with university life.
Homesickness
Because it is the first time for most students to be away from their homes, getting homesick can be one of the hardest blows that you have to deal with. However, with the myriads of modern forms of communication, a significant number of students that feel homesick can still keep in touch with their loved ones via the internet.
Pressure Arising from Studies
Most students around the globe usually pay their education costs all by themselves and, thus, making the demand for them to achieve good grades, build up with each passing day. Even for those that do not pay, the presence of massive educational and social repercussions, if they do not succeed in their studies, is a reality. You should expect university curriculums to be significantly harder as compared to other educational levels and prepare yourself for more hard work to emerge successfully with your university studies.
Education Costs
Since the recent increase in higher education with a 213% increase in public 4-year institutions in the US, the number of students that are in search of professional counseling has increased significantly. In light of this, it is vital for you to realize that the most foolproof method of avoiding mental anxiety as well as making the most out of these expenses is by enjoying your university life. Make sure that you have an experience outside the classroom while concurrently enjoying your studies, and you’ll be on the right track!
Finding New Friends
It is difficult to make friends in a new place, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that you will have to fit in with people who have different interests in order to make new friends at university. You can be yourself and find friends at the same time, you just have to be patient and involve yourself in activities that you like.
Housing Problems
You may get a place in the hostel or dorm, but it is really difficult to find student accommodation that is right for you. You have to consider factors such as distance, rent rates, facilities, roommates, etc. Students face housing problems all the time so if you can, have a place ready before you leave home. Student accommodation is a big issue in the UK and you would do well to have a solution prepared.
Time Management
From trying to study to living alone and doing the required chores, to maintaining a social life, to possibly working some sort of a job to help with expenses, students don’t have the “time” to manage and think about their time. They sleep in irregular patterns and do everything at the last minute.
This kind of behavior is unsustainable and therefore, you need to at least set a rough timetable and start utilizing your time much more efficiently. You will be surprised at the amount of free time you’ll start to have on your hands.
