College, overall, is easier in some ways, and more difficult in others. A positive factor for new freshman is they no longer need to be in one space for 7-8 hours. Another factor is that classes do not usually meet more than 3 times a week. This gives everyone time to get homework accomplished during the day and space to take a break from school, as needed.
The difficult components of being a college student are adjusting to living away from home, getting meals, doing laundry, being accountable for going to classes, completing assignments on time, and managing a new social life. Many students who have issues before leaving for college have been managed by school personal at their high schools or by parents who are watching over the student’s behavior at school and home and keeping them accountable. Most college students who find themselves struggling have one or more of the following issues:
- Lack of executive functioning skills
- Anxiety and/or depression which can hamper the ability to accomplish assignments in a timely manner.
- Lack of study skills overall. Often “bright “students have learned to get by with information in lectures or skimming reading assignments. This is not studying.\
- Accountability issues – no one is checking in with them on a daily basis either from school or home.
- Overwhelmed with amount of work given, overall.
- Managing social life (for some could include alcohol or drugs).
Each student has different strengths and weaknesses. They may fit into the categories above or not. No matter what issues interfere with being a successful student (which includes the academic, social, and emotional aspects of school life), there is always a way to help students develop a tool box of coping skills to make the college experience a positive one overall.