List of Common Problems Students Face in University and solutions - Kenyayote (2023)

Problems students face in University, College and how to overcome them: The life of a student is full of ups and down. Alongside the exciting aspects of new opportunities, new experiences and meeting new people, there are also several problems that many students will come face to face with during their time at university. Every student lives a unique lifestyle, but many of these problems are extremely common, some of them even becoming the make-or-break point that will eventually define their entire university experience.

To help you make the best out of your time at university, here is a list of common problems and some of the most effective methods of dealing with them.

Money

To kickstart this list, quite possibly the most common issue faced by students. Student finances are renowned for being the bane of a student’s life. With rising tuition fees and accommodation rates alongside increases in day-to-day essentials such as food and utility bills, money can be such an overwhelming and time-consuming factor.

However, money shouldn’t be the point your university life revolves around. Student loans are relatively easy to acquire, and with simple money management skills, you can easily stay on top of your spending, so money isn’t an issue. One of the best ways to remain secure is taking up a part-time job. This will give you extra income, and while you’re making money, you’re not spending it.

Another situation is with new business model of essays when students pay lots of money to have their assignments done. This usually happens when students work while studying and don’t have enough time to accomplish their tasks. They earn money to close their loans and gain experience.

Homesick

One of the initial challenges that students face, especially when starting university, is missing home. Friends and family can quickly seem very distant and it can be hard for some students to deal with and can start affecting their workflows and their productivity.

The best way to cope with this issue is by simply addressing it head-on. If you live a few hour’s drive away from home, plan to visit every month or every two months. Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to stay in contact with friends and family at home and you can even video call if you find the time. Better yet, invite your friends to come and stay with you and go for a night out, introducing them to your new friends. The more, the merrier!

Conflicts with Roommates

Unless you’re extremely lucky, arguments are bound to occur at some stage with the people you’re living with. Whether you’re in a house share or a university accommodation, you’re very likely to have been placed with people you have never met before and may be from various social circles before. Depending on the nature of these individuals, they may miss rent payments or not hold up their end of the cleaning duties.

Ben Harper, a writer at Ox Essays, explains, “The best way to approach these issues is to communicate. Talk to the person in question about your concerns and how you can go about approaching them. Communicate with the rest of your house about the best options to take. However you choose to go about it, the best thing to do is the remain positive. In stressful situations, remove yourself from the environment and take some time to yourself.”

Relationships

Whether you’ve joined university already in a relationship or enter one while at university, relationships can be testing at the best of times. If you’re in a long-distance relationship, there are going to be very difficult times ahead. On campus, different social groups and conflicting interests can also be the source of arguments and breakups

Working at University

Many students will find the initial workload of university shocking. Compared to school or college, the amount of work you have to complete at university can be unlike anything you’ve had to manage before, and it’s even scarier when you realise you’ve got to manage your time by yourself. With proper time management skills and prioritizing the order in which you work, you should easily be able to find a nice balance where you can manage everything.

Alternatively, a lot of students can’t find the time to complete all their assignments. As they have very limited time while at the university to fit everything they want into their days. Looming assignment deadlines can cause overwhelming amounts of stress which will almost always backfire.”

This time becomes even more limited if students are trying to hold down a part-time job. In these situations, many students opt to use custom writing services. These sites can complete writing assignments and essays on your behalf, allowing to free up time to focus on other important aspects of university life.
In our digital age, there are a lot of tools that are a big help for students, such as Cite It In, to perfect the quality of your written work, adding in the correct references and citations, making it easy for you to complete your work to the highest standard. Also, Easy word count is good tool for students to know how many words are in their tasks.

Additionally, there are a wealth of online tools like State of writing or Elite assignment help which students can use to simplify workloads when they struggle to complete their assignments to a high standard without having to waste too much of precious time. Tools such as Plagium and Academized assist you in ensuring that your written work is free from plagiarism, a strict rule that can result in you losing your place on your course.

Becoming Ill/Sick

Due to the nature of a university lifestyle, aspects of wellbeing, including sleep, diet and nutrition, can very quickly go out the window. These factors, in addition to consuming high levels of alcohol, means that you’re increasingly likely to get sick and ill. As you can imagine, this is a condition most students will want to be in.

To counteract this, students should ensure that they pace themselves on night’s out while making sure they have ample amounts of sleep and the correct number of meals a day. By fuelling your body with the right amount of food, and the healthy kinds of food, you can ensure you are always operating to your full potential. This will show in your productivity and the way you connect socially with your friends and lecturers.

Each situation is unique so it can be hard to address. The best advice is to remain positive and approach any disagreements like adults. Remain calm, level-headed and positive. If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be, no matter how hard that is to comprehend at the time.

Guest post shared by (Brenda Berg). Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years of experience in business management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Consultant and tutor for college students and entrepreneurs atPaper fellows. She believes that constant learning is the only way to success. You can visit her personal blog at Letsgoandlearn.com

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FAQs

What are the most common problems of university students? ›

Common Issues
  • Social anxiety, general anxiety, test anxiety, or panic attacks.
  • Family expectations or problems.
  • Depression, lack of energy or motivation, hopelessness, being overwhelmed, low self-esteem, homesickness, loneliness.
  • Relationship difficulties (emotional and physical aspects of intimate relationships)

What are the problems facing university students in Kenya? ›

Kenya'sstudent service professionals face four major challenges: the increasing costs of attendance,the resulting impact on student behaviours and actions, lack of training and seniorleadership, and regular campus closures.

What are common problems universities face? ›

Today's colleges and universities face an unprecedented array of challenges and threats. These include enrollment declines, rising costs and student debt, emerging college alternatives, and political interference. Historically, higher education has weathered crises and disruptions, but this time feels different.

What are 5 challenges students face today? ›

Some of the most common areas where students face challenges include:
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How do you solve students problems? ›

Principles for teaching problem solving
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What are the common academic problems? ›

Academic Concerns/Learning Difficulties
  • Poor study habits.
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What are the current issues affecting learning in Kenya? ›

Absenteeism, overcrowding, poor school infrastructure and a plethora of local languages all affect pupil progress, which in turn impacts on the perception of the quality and value of education among the rural population.

What are the trending issues in education in Kenya? ›

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What is the problem with Kenyan education system? ›

Compounded by the pandemic, these challenges have led to learning losses and deepened inequalities in education. Around 17 million students and more than 320,000 teachers were affected by the closure of 30,000 primary and secondary schools in 2020. Schools gradually reopened from October 2020 to January 2021.

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What's the biggest challenge that students face today? ›

There are several serious challenges facing students today. For all students, a serious challenge is learning responsible, caring behavior in the face of all the irresponsible behavior shown, and even promoted, by the media – television, radio, the Internet, and magazines.

What is the greatest challenge that students face today 2023? ›

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  • Step 5: Implement the solution. ...
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Students who learn problem-solving skills may see an improved ability to retain and recall information. Specifically, being asked to explain how they reached their conclusions at the time of learning, by sharing their ideas and facts they have researched, helps reinforce their understanding of the subject matter.

What is the most common type of academic difficulty? ›

The most common types of learning disabilities involve problems with reading, writing, math, reasoning, listening, and speaking. While every kid has trouble with homework from time to time, if a certain area of learning is consistently problematic, it might indicate a learning disorder.

What is student academic stress? ›

Academic stress is defined as a student's psychological state resulting from continuous social and self-imposed pressure in a school environment that depletes the student's psychological reserves (42, 43).

What are the problems with academic stress? ›

Research has found that excessive levels of academic stress can result in an “increased prevalence of psychological and physical problems like depression, anxiety, nervousness, and stress-related disorders,” which in turn can adversely affect academic results.

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What is the biggest mistakes college students make? ›

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Why do students struggle in college? ›

Not Adequately Taking Responsibility. College freshmen, when facing poor academic results, tend to look for places they can deflect the blame. They may cite poor instructors, noisy dorms, lack of time, or not being graded in a fair manner. Poor grades, in hindsight, could generally have been avoided.

What is the biggest health concern for college students today? ›

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What is the biggest health issue affecting the academic performance of college students? ›

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What are the 9 challenges our students face in school? ›

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How do you overcome academic challenges? ›

Follow this advice to help you overcome the challenges.
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  2. Learn study skills. Ask questions and participate in class discussions. ...
  3. Seek academic advising. ...
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What are the challenges for students in learning? ›

Some are perceived (e.g. confidence). Other challenges for students include: fighting addictions, poverty, abuse, unsupportive partners, grief, discrimination, harassment, and chronic health issues. Whatever the challenge, there are strategies to help you through.

What was the toughest challenge you've faced as student? ›

My biggest challenge as a student was being the student. Sitting through the conventional lectures was sometimes difficult. My mind and body were always going, and I couldn't wait to get out of my seat, move around, share my thoughts, and interact with my peers.

What is the biggest challenge we will face in the future? ›

Securing cyberspace, economical clean energy, sustaining land and oceans, and sustainable and resilient infrastructure were listed as the top four challenges facing the world in the next 25 years, according to a global survey of engineers.

What is the toughest challenge you faced interview question? ›

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What is the biggest challenge as a student? ›

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  2. Transitioning to university life. ...
  3. Roommates. ...
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  5. Time management. ...
  6. Budgeting. ...
  7. Relationships. ...
  8. Partying.

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What do college students worry about? ›

Why are you stressed? College students commonly experience stress because of increased responsibilities, a lack of good time management, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and not taking enough breaks for self-care.

What do college students struggle with in school? ›

Students at every stage of college can struggle with time management and organization, also known as executive functioning skills. In high school, these skills are often supported by teachers, guidance counselors, special education teachers and parents — all of whom are absent in college.

What is the main cause of depression in college students? ›

A lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and not enough exercise are a recipe for depression among college students. The stress that comes with academia — including financial worries, pressure to get a good job after school, and failed relationships — is enough to force some students to leave college or worse.

What are the biggest stressors in college? ›

Colds, flu, and snow days may interfere with academic performance. Social scene picks up; decisions increase about drug and alcohol use, morality, and time management. Academic pressure may begin to mount because of procrastination, difficulty of coursework, and lack of time. Stress exhaustion or depression may occur.

What causes stress in university students? ›

Some of the things students commonly cite as causes of stress include:
  • examinations.
  • deadlines.
  • returning to study.
  • pressure of combining paid work and study.
  • difficulty in organising work.
  • poor time management.
  • leaving assignments to the last minute.
  • out of control debts.

What causes stress among students? ›

Factors such as homework, social life, perceived parental pressure, university applications, and never-ending workloads all generate stress. Although research shows that a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial and act as a motivator for students to do well, too much stress can impact their overall well-being.

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