The Ups and Downs of Higher Education
Mar 27 '01 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
The Bottom Line College can be a fun experience, but there can also be many obstacles along the way and many challenges.
My college years provided me with some of my greatest memories. Things were fun, easygoing, and carefree, for the most part. It was a time of great change for most people, as they left the nest for the first time; leaving their comfort zone and entering into a whole new world filled with confusion and uncertainty.
Many challenges are faced in college, and I’m not talking only about the academic type. Students are doing more than just going to school, they are leading day to day lives and are faced with obstacles and opportunities every single day.
Let’s take a look at some of the key areas where college can present some difficulties, and how a student can learn to cope with the challenge at hand:
Academic Issues/Concerns:
Some classes are a cakewalk, while others are much more difficult and require much more time and effort to ensure successful completion of the course. But no matter how difficult a class may seem, none of them are insuperable. I think that a person can succeed in most any class, once they make their minds up. If you are experiencing difficulty, you should first consult with the professor, to get some guidance. You should also consider studying with other students in the same class, and going to a tutor, if necessary.
Developing good study habits is a must, if you want to overcome your academic obstacles. For myself, this took time and adjustment. When I was in high school, I never studied because I didn’t need to study. The only homework I ever did was when I had to write my English term paper. I considered high school academics to be a total joke, completely devoid of any challenge. My high school had about 700 students and it was considered one of the better public schools, but it was still much too easy. Because of this, I had no problem passing with minimal effort, but it made it more difficult to make the transition to college. I was accustomed to not having to study. Now, all of a sudden, I was forced to develop study habits if I had any hope to survive.
Social Problems:
This is an area that’s tough for many students, because there is no clear answer to each individual’s problems and concerns. Some students are social butterflies and they need constant interaction with others, as frequently as possible. Other students are more serious minded and are more than happy to spend weekends curled up in their dorm room with a textbook in hand.
Most of us, I think, fall somewhere in the middle. The social problems that most students face usually deal with the initial making of friends, and with meeting members of the opposite sex. Most of our friendships develop during the first year or two of school, and we keep them for the remainder of our days in college. Some people have a harder time with making friends, usually because of their family backgrounds. For those people, it might be a good idea to join some college academic clubs, to help meet people. These students will already have something in common with you, and that will help act as an ice- breaker.
Dealing with relationship problems is an entirely different issue. I think that many students enter college thinking that this will be the place where they will meet their one true love, and that marriage will follow immediately after graduation. I have some friends who did indeed meet their spouses in college, but the truth is that most did not. Those who take this approach, thinking that they are going to meet their husband or wife at school, are often too serious about the social scene. They don’t lighten up enough, and they take things very hard when a relationship doesn’t work out. This is especially true among the women. I knew many women in college who were literally devestated when a relationship failed to result in marriage. They felt like their lives were ruined forever.
Parental Problems:
Many students have the additional stress of trying to please their parents. The vast majority of parents are reasonable with their children when they attend school, but there are others that are complete monsters; constantly trying to control the life of their child while in school, and acting like the child is a piece of property. These parents tell their children where they are allowed to live on campus, what they can wear, and whom they can associate with. And if the child doesn’t live up to these stringent rules, the parent will cutoff the flow of money.
If you are one of the students unfortunate enough to be stuck in this predicament, you have my sympathy. All that you can do, I hate to say, is stretch the truth a little. Some parents are so unreasonable that they cannot be dealt with in a rational manner. You will have to avoid certain subjects when you talk with them, and make them think that you’re more conservative than you really are. There isn’t much else you can do, because this type of parent will not tolerate a child who doesn’t follow the parents’ strict rules!
Money:
I saved the best for last! Of all the problems that I experienced as a student, most all of them could be traced, either directly or indirectly, to the lack of money. I wasn’t alone with my financial difficulties. I knew many other students with the same problem. I had to work non- stop for all four years that I was in school, and I still didn’t have enough money and I often went to sleep with my stomach growling. At one point, during my sophomore year, I was losing weight at a rapid pace, falling to about 25 pounds below my ideal weight!
Sticking to a budget is a must, no matter how hard it might seem. You have to allocate your spending money, to be sure that you can pay your bills, get some food, and still have a little money left for social activities. If you have to work, one piece of advice that I can give you is to work on campus, if you can. I started by working off campus, at a restaurant. I then got a job on campus, working in the school cafeteria. This was a much better job for many reasons. First of all, they didn’t withhold any social security taxes (I don’t know if this is still true today, so check before you make any assumptions) out of our paychecks. Second, it was on- campus, so it was convenient because I could walk to work. Third, and most important, since I was working in the cafeteria, I received the extra benefit of having my meals provided free of charge.
Final Thoughts:
College can be a tough time for many students. You are faced with academic deadlines to meet, social concerns, and many other problems. The key is to develop a balance between school and socializing. If money is a problem, you need to budget the best that you can and just tough it out for the four years. It will be over before you know it, and your life will slowly fall back into order.
College is about learning, not just academically, but in other ways as well. It’s an experience that only happens once. It can be difficult at times, but if you're strong- willed and determined, you can overcome any obstacle and you will be well- prepared for the workaday world that awaits you when you graduate.
For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below:
Advice on College Admissions:
Choosing a College or University
How to Help Your Child Choose a College
How to Apply to College
Should I Transfer Schools?
Should I Take Time Off?
Should I Go to Grad School?
Advice on College Life:
What is College Really Like?
What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates
What Should I Know About Greek Life in College?
What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College
What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning
What Should I Bring to School
How Can I Succeed in College Academics?
How to Manage Your Time
How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School?
How Should I Prepare for Life After Graduation?
Advice on College Finances:
Should I Take a Part Time Job?
How to Pay Off Student Loans
How to Manage Your Budget
How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and “How To”:
800Score.com
How to Take the GMAT
How to Take the GRE
What is the GRE?
Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course
Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course
Reviews of Specific Universities:
Wright State University
University of Dayton
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