You’re finally going to college! Whether you’re just starting or have been there awhile, there are always new problems to deal with and new challenges to overcome. For many students, freshman year marks the first time living away from home and dealing with your own bills, laundry and responsibilities.
While you may think that you know what you’re getting into after living at home all these years, there are still some common college problems that may surprise you! This list includes 10 of the most common problems faced by college students and how to deal with them.
1) Not being able to afford textbooks
Textbooks can be ridiculously expensive, and often you’ll buy a textbook not knowing if it’s even going to be used in your class. If you end up dropping a class or changing majors, that might mean buying another book for just one course.
Consider renting or buying used books whenever possible. Sites like Chegg make it easy to buy or rent from other students at great prices.
If you do have to buy a new book, try asking around who has already taken the class; sometimes there are people selling their books for cheaper than what they bought them for.
2) Being overwhelmed with all the options
With so many classes, majors, minors and extracurriculars to choose from, college students sometimes don’t know what to choose. What makes you different from anyone else? What do you want to accomplish with your life? There are so many possibilities that it can be easy to get lost in them. Ask yourself:
What am I good at? Where do I see myself in five years? And what do I really want out of college? If you find it hard to answer those questions on your own, speak with your professor or a guidance counsellor.
They might have some ideas or suggestions that could help clear things up. Or maybe they’ll just tell you exactly how insane it is that everyone asks them these questions all the time.
3) Dealing with roommates
As cute as they may be, all roommates eventually get on each other’s nerves. From bickering over dishes to fighting over who gets to spend Friday night with their boyfriend or girlfriend, you’ll need to learn how to live peacefully with a roommate.
Sure, it might mean losing some nights in front of your Netflix queue when you would rather be out at a party. But all relationships involve compromise, and living with a roommate is no different. One key: Don’t bring your conflict back home; let it stay in that little dorm room of yours! If you have a conflict that just can’t wait until you get back home (or if they continue even after you return), talk things through like rational adults.
4) Worrying about grades
Getting good grades is important, so it’s a little terrifying to think that you might not. Most college students are under enormous pressure to maintain a high GPA, especially when there’s so much at stake.
But that doesn’t mean you need to constantly worry about your grades. Put simply, worrying will not help your grades improve – and anxiety may even cause grades to slip as stress interferes with your ability to concentrate and study effectively. Make it a point to stop stressing out about getting As and Bs; instead of fretting over grades, focus on working hard in class and reading all of your assignments carefully.
5) Dealing with depression while away from home
Feeling a bit blue when you’re in college is normal. When you’re thousands of miles away from home, it can be difficult to feel connected and supported by your family and friends.
It helps to understand that feelings of homesickness, loneliness, and depression are very common—and they will likely come up throughout your college career. When they do hit, reach out to family and friends back home via social media and email or try connecting with other students through clubs or organisations on campus.
6) Feeling homesick
For most people, homesickness hits about two weeks into their first semester. Feeling out of place and like you don’t belong can make it hard to enjoy yourself.
There are a few things you can do to avoid feeling homesick while in college: Join a club or take a class that interests you so that you’ll make friends and feel like part of your school community; when possible, get back home for breaks—it will help keep your feelings of being at home from becoming too intense; try talking to someone if you’re struggling with depression or anxiety related to feeling homesick.
For many students, reaching out for help is an act of strength, not weakness. Remember: college is just another phase in life and one that won’t last forever.
7) Going out and getting wasted
There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks, but students often get themselves into trouble when they party too hard or drink on an empty stomach
If you go out and plan to get wasted, pack some food beforehand so you don’t end up spending half your night in a McDonald’s drive-thru line. And remember: Just because alcohol is legal doesn’t mean it can’t hurt you.
A study published in 2011 found that 18- to 22-year-olds who engaged in binge drinking were more likely to experience adverse health effects than teens aged 14 to 17. In fact, even young adults as old as 25 who regularly engaged in binge drinking showed a decline in cognitive abilities over time—and also had an increased risk of stroke.
8) Figuring out your new schedule
The schedule of a college student is always changing, and it’s important to know how to manage your time. Find out how to fit classes, homework, and extracurricular activities into your day. Having a clear plan of when you’ll be doing things will keep you more organised as well as help avoid conflicts with people.
Be sure to take time for yourself and make plans with friends! As exciting as college can be, there will also be moments when you have difficulty adjusting. Learn how to handle difficult times on campus or in a class by finding ways other students have coped during similar situations in their own lives. Read stories from real students who faced challenges like yours and learned ways that worked for them—and get ideas for yourself!
9) Missing friends and family back home
Whether it’s your first time away from home or you’re in your final semester, missing friends and family back home is a common problem among college students.In Present time students are afraid of college courseworks that’s why some assignment help sources come in handy.
This can lead to anxiety and feelings of loneliness, which can significantly impact your ability to concentrate on schoolwork. To cope with homesickness, reach out to loved ones via phone calls or Skype, if possible. If you still find yourself missing friends and family, try taking a trip back home during mid term break or summer vacation.
This way you won’t have as much time to miss people when they’re gone! Additionally, make sure you keep in touch with loved ones by emailing or calling them regularly; don’t rely on Facebook messages for long-distance communication!
10) Finding a balance between school, life, and extracurricular activities
After a long day in class, it can be hard to muster up the motivation to go out and study more. The good news is that you don’t have to. The most successful students balance their time well by prioritising sleep, exercise, and fun in addition to homework and studying.
When you prioritise your activities in life, being motivated is much easier when all you need is a refresher on an assigned reading or a little extra time on your maths problems. If you only have so many hours in a day, make sure they’re used wisely—and there’s no better way than learning from experience. After all, practice makes perfect!
