What is the most difficult challenge students face in college?

Hi there! This is a great question. In my experience, I faced challenges in a couple ways:

1. Missing family. If you haven't been away from your family much, it can be very tough in the beginning. Luckily, technology affords us the ability to facetime or skype to stay in touch.
2. Stress: Stress can be a challenge for most college students due to testing, homework, and real world scenarios. A great way to manage stress is to focus on things that are within your control.
3. Finances: Let's face it, college can be costly! I had a part-time job to help with things while I carried a full course load. I wanted things, and I knew I had to work to get them.
4. Homework: Don't procrastinate. Bottom line. I paid for it every time!
5. Social life: Although you are in college to earn credits and achieve a degree, your experience will be so much better if you have friends around to support you.

I hope this helps! It's pretty universal for most college kids, but there are tons of online resources to help you manage stress and navigate the college experience.

This is a great question! As you mentioned, college students across the US have different experiences, but often experience similar challenges in college. A few challenges that I witnessed for college students are: 1) changes in majors and career path goals or figuring out career path goals, 2) understanding how to succeed in difficult classes, 3) mental health challenges, and 4) understanding and sticking to your values.

Most students begin college around 17-19 years old and are expected to select what they want to do in the future. There are so many areas of study to choose from so deciding can be difficult. Remember, your area of study in college doesn't necessarily lock you in to a job. For example, I know of someone who studied Engineering in college and now works for a prominent bank in IT.

Some classes are going to be easy and some will be extremely difficulty. My advice is to give 100% effort with studying and ask questions! Professors are there to help. Don't be discouraged by a difficult professor. Challenge them to help you understand the material (especially since they determine your grade). But most importantly, seek to understand the material, not just memorize it to get a good grade.

Another common challenge for college students is mental health. With so many pressures about classes, careers, new friendships, etc. staying healthy mentally can be challenging. I suggest finding someone (peer or adult) who you can trust and talk through life's challenges with. Also, if your school offers free counseling, don't be ashamed to use it when needed! Counseling is there to help!

Finally, your values will be challenged during college. Take some time to explore what you really value and believe. Be secure in your values and beliefs, but be accepting of points of view from others. Who knows, you may gain a different perspective! A few things that I valued throughout college are diversity, learning, and social justice. I never moved on those but enjoyed engaging in conversations on those topics.

Here's an article from Lehigh Valley on some common challenges, some of which I mentioned: https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/challenges-college

I am thrilled to hear you are thinking about attending college and are trying to prepare for what is ahead!  This is an excellent question and one that I wish I had asked before college!

I think my biggest challenge was with time management.   No longer will you have the same classes at the same times Monday - Friday so the rhythm of what you are accustomed to will change.   Looking at your new class schedule may lead you into thinking that you have a lot of downtime - after all you will only be in class around 15 hours a week!   You will suddenly find you have a great deal of time outside of class. 

With all of the new 'free time' you have outside of class, play it smart early and plan your time wisely.  Ensure you are tracking dates and jump on of all of those big projects and homework assignments because they'll be a little more intense than the work you probably had in high school.  Start early on them so you can avoid all of those late night test cramming sessions or typing a paper at the last moment.  Remember you are there for the education so put in the effort.

There will be a lot of work to be completed outside of class... and combine this with all of the new exciting people to meet and variety of activities happening on campus, you want to somehow find time to do and handle it all!  You can do everything you want to if you schedule time to study and plan your activities around your study times.  You'll need and want that balance of work and fun to get the whole college experience so don't rob yourself of the social but ensure that the work is always top priority.  If you need to block out time on your calendar to 'schedule' studying, do it - the visual time blocks on your calendar may help you to see how much time you need to study and will make you accountable for it since you placed it on your agenda.  Get away from your dorm or other areas where you will feel the pull to socialize and use that study time for what it is intended.  If you take care of the business when you need to so you can reward yourself later with all of the crazy activities at your college/university and the time you want to spend with new friends who may end up being lifelong friends.

College will not be like any other time in your life so schedule those years well to get in everything you want to do.  The classes will become more challenging each year so plan your time well to give your work the best effort and you will still have time to enjoy the extra-curriculars. 

Best wishes as you get ready for your big future plans!