For most people, the idea of being a student will mostly involve studying. People take on this lifestyle because they want to learn and improve their lives, and it makes sense that people have the expectations that they do. Of course, though, being short on money, stressed with work, and independent for the first time can all have an impact on a young person and how they live.
So, what are the common problems that students will get into when they are free for the first time? Let’s take a look at this area to give you an idea of what to expect when you go to college or university.
Bullying
Bullying is not as common at this level of education as it is with others, but it can still impact those who are studying at university. This can be even worse than younger people bullying one another, as students will usually live very close to one another and will share a lot of resources. This can make life extremely difficult, especially if you find yourself or someone you care about being bullied by their housemates.
A lot of people assume that they have to deal with issues like this for themselves at this point in their lives. In reality, though, you don’t have to deal with bullying at all, and the college you call home will usually have policies in place to help you to deal with bullying. This can make it much easier to solve the problem without having to confront the person that is giving you a hard time. Hopefully, though, this will be something that you never encounter.
Debt & Financial Trouble
Most students have to live on a very small budget. This is because they aren’t able to work while they study, forcing them to rely on loans and grants. Of course, though, when you can’t afford something you need and have very little financial experience, it can be all too easy to find yourself getting into debt when you are trying to learn. Credit cards and short-term loans can make the life of a student very difficult, creating challenges in your life that you shouldn’t have to deal with when you are trying to learn. It can be all too easy for students to look to crime and other money-making schemes to improve their lives.
Asking your family for help can be a good way to solve the problem of financial trouble, but some people don’t have options like this. While it may seem sad, you could also consider the idea of working during summer and saving some money up for emergencies. This will give you the chance to cover the financial challenges you encounter yourself, while also improving the quality of life you enjoy as a student. Some people work while they are studying, though this can end up negatively impacting your studies.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are extremely common on campuses. The stress of studying and being an adult can be too much for some people, though others will find it hardest to keep going with their studies. This can end up having a dramatic impact on your grades while also making your life much harder in the process. You should be able to enjoy your time at college or university, and this is something that everyone should be able to share. Of course, though, life isn’t always as kind as this.
Thanks to the prevalence of mental health issues in places like this, many education establishments offer counseling and therapy that can help their students to get on top of their minds. This will give you the help you need to get back on track with your studies, all while giving you the chance to be more social and make new friends on campus. This option will usually be free if you approach the right department.
Drug Use & Drinking
While therapy can help with mental health issues, some people choose different paths when they are feeling strain and stress. It can be all too easy for things like drinking and taking drugs to become a major part of your life when you are in school. This will impact your grades and ability to learn, while also eating into your finances. Most students want the chance to party, but this can be achieved without having to spend a fortune in the process.
Getting help with an addiction like this is best done as it forms. There are loads of professionals out there that can help you with your mental health, giving you the chance to make yourself healthy without having to compromise on your learning. Options like alcohol rehab can be exactly what you need when you are facing an issue like this. Most universities and colleges can offer dedicated support to students who are struggling with issues like this, giving you the chance to make yourself healthy without having to pay a fortune in the process.
As you can see, being a student can come with a lot of challenges. You need to work hard to overcome these issues, giving yourself the chance to get healthy and enjoy the time you have at school. Of course, though, alongside this, you need to make sure that you are working to make the most of the other aspects of your life that have changed as you become a student.
