The main purpose of a student is to learn, grow, and develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially. This includes acquiring knowledge, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and preparing for future career opportunities and becoming a whole productive human being. Beyond academics, students also aim to cultivate personal values, build character, and contribute to society. Overall, the purpose of a student is to expand their horizons, become well-rounded individuals, and make a positive impact on the world as they discover their gifts.
Being a young adult is a time of immense growth, both personally and academically. While it’s a period of exciting discoveries and new experiences, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Academic challenges can be particularly daunting, as they can impact your self-esteem, future goals, and overall well-being.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some common academic challenges faced by teens and young adults and offer practical tips to help you overcome them and guide you to your purpose.
Common Academic Challenges
- Time Management: Balancing academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and social life can be overwhelming.
- Procrastination: Putting off tasks until the last minute can lead to stress, poor performance, and decreased motivation.
- Lack of Motivation: Finding the drive to study and complete assignments can be difficult, especially when faced with challenging material or subjects.
- Test Anxiety: Fear of failure and the pressure to perform well can hinder your ability to focus and demonstrate your knowledge.
- Difficulty Asking for Help: Pride, fear, inferiority complex, or embarrassment can prevent you from seeking assistance from teachers, tutors, or classmates.
- Unclear Goals: Not having a clear understanding of your academic aspirations can make it difficult to stay focused and motivated.
- Memory Retention Issues: Struggling to recall important information during tests and presentations due to poor memory retention.
- Fatigue: Studying for long periods without breaks can lead to mental or physical fatigue.
- Lack of Concentration: Being carried away by random thoughts when you need to concentrate. It’s a state of mind where the brain struggles to maintain attention, leading to mental distraction, mind-wandering, and decreased productivity. This can be due to many reasons, internal, external, and lifestyle factors, including sleep, medical conditions, stress, substance abuse, mental and emotional burnout, boredom and lack of interest, multitasking, information overload, poor study habits.
- Cheating: Stealing an exam is not really a challenge but a vice. It is a serious breach of academic integrity that involves obtaining or attempting to obtain an unauthorized copy of an examination or test. This dishonest act can be achieved through various means, such as cheating, bribery, theft, or hacking. Engaging in such behavior can lead to severe consequences, including failing the exam or course, academic probation or suspension, loss of scholarships or financial aid, and even legal action.
Overcoming These Academic Challenges
Effective Time Management
Creating a daily or weekly schedule to prioritize tasks is a classic yet effective strategy. This involves creating a schedule, prioritizing tasks, using a task list, and minimizing distractions. To manage time efficiently, it’s important to focus on one task at a time, set realistic goals, and make the most of downtime. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your schedule can help you stay on track and motivated. It’s best to avoid multitasking, as it can decrease productivity and increase stress.
- Declutter Regularly: Keep your workspace tidy to reduce distractions and improve focus. The state of your space reflects the state of your mind. A disorganized space gives a disorganized mind. A messy desk or room can cloud your thinking and hinder creativity, making it more challenging to efficiently tackle tasks. By taking a few moments each day to declutter, you set the stage for clarity and productivity. Consider implementing a ‘one in, one out’ rule for items; for every new thing you allow into your space, remove an old one. This simple practice can keep accumulation at bay and maintain harmony in your environment as a student. For example, you might keep all your study materials in one area, while a separate spot could be reserved for creative projects and inspiration sources like books, art supplies, or your vision board.
Combat Procrastination
- Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.
- Set realistic deadlines for yourself.
- Reward yourself for completing tasks to stay motivated, like taking a break, engaging in a hobby or activity you enjoy, such as playing music, drawing, or playing a game for at least 20 minutes.
Boost Motivation
- Find a study environment that works for you.
- Establish a routine that aligns with your natural rhythms. This is why it’s important to keep working on yourself to discover yourself.
- Set achievable goals and celebrate your successes. Visualize your success and maintain a positive mindset. If a vision board adds value for you, create it.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Engage with supportive friends and family who encourage your academic efforts. Avoid negative influences that undermine your motivation.
- Remember to be kind to yourself on challenging days (like failing exams, snoozing alarms). Perseverance is key.
Manage Test Anxiety
- Pray and practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
- Prepare adequately by studying regularly and reviewing your notes.
- Focus on your strengths and believe in your abilities. You are your best cheerleader.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
- Seek assistance from teachers, tutors, or classmates.
- Join study groups to collaborate with peers.
- Utilize campus resources like writing centers or counseling services, or the library.
Set Clear Goals
- Define your academic aspirations and create a plan to achieve them.
- Consider your interests, values, and career goals.
- Seek guidance from mentors, career counselors, parents, and guardians.
Be Disciplined
Kindly adhere to disciplined conduct by designating specific areas or time periods as phone and gadget-free zones, particularly during meal times or academic sessions unless for educational purposes. Remain steadfast in pursuit of your objectives, exhibit respect for boundaries and schedules, demonstrate consideration for fellow students and the school community, exercise kindness to all, adhere to school regulations, and make well-informed decisions. Upholding discipline is instrumental in fostering greater success and fulfillment, as it facilitates sustained effort over time and can yield compounded benefits in your post-school life.
If tired, take breaks. Engage in light physical activity such as stretching, walking, or doing a few exercises in between sessions. Deep breathing and physical movement boost circulation, re-energize the brain, and help reduce fatigue. Balance is key.
Enhance Concentration
Prioritize your mindset to improve concentration. Keep your goals in mind and motivate yourself to sit in the front row during classes. This can aid in staying more engaged and attentive, as you will be in closer proximity to the instructor and less likely to be distracted by other students. If you find yourself losing focus, try taking a deep breath, observing your surroundings, reviewing your notes or the text, asking a question, having a sip of water, or changing your seated position. These simple actions can help break the absent-mindedness and redirect your attention.
It’s important to stay focused in class even when dealing with home or family issues. Education is an important tool that will ultimately help you address most challenges in the long run. Let adults handle their issues; worrying about them won’t change anything. All you can do is pray for them and trust in God. Give yourself permission to focus on learning, knowing that you can return to family matters after class. If the issues become overwhelming, seeking support from a counselor or trusted teacher can help you manage your emotions effectively.
Avoid Exhaustion and Burnout
To manage exhaustion and burnout, students should prioritize effective time management by creating structured schedules that balance study, rest, and relaxation. Incorporating self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or spending time with friends is essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Adequate sleep (7-9 hours) is crucial for cognitive function and preventing fatigue. Setting boundaries by saying no to excessive commitments helps prevent overexertion, and seeking support from friends, mentors, or school counselors can provide valuable guidance and relief during overwhelming times.
Seek Financial Relief
The cost of education can be daunting, but as a student, you have the power to seek financial relief through scholarships and grants. While it’s not solely your responsibility to cover educational expenses, actively pursuing scholarship opportunities can significantly alleviate financial stress. Don’t let anyone discourage you by suggesting that seeking financial assistance is a sign of poverty. Stay focused on your goals and vision for the future.
Remember, scholarships and grants, unlike loans, do not need to be repaid. They are available from various sources such as government programs, private organizations, faith-based groups, community organizations, and schools themselves. By dedicating time to research and apply for these opportunities as early as possible, you can reduce your financial burden and concentrate more on your academic success. Your dreams are worth the effort.
Meeting Deadlines
Start working on assignments well before they’re due. This will give you enough time to understand the requirements, do the research, write the paper, and revise it. If you’re having trouble meeting deadlines, consider seeking help from an academic advisor or counseling services.
Understanding Complex Concepts
If you’re struggling to understand a concept, try breaking it down into smaller parts. Look for resources that explain the concept in a way that makes sense to you, such as textbooks, online tutorials, or videos. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, tutors, or classmates.
Improve Memory Retention
Struggling to recall important information during tests and presentations is a common challenge, but it can be overcome with practical strategies. Simulating test conditions by practicing in timed, quiet settings helps train the brain to recall under pressure. Daily micro-review sessions of 5-10 minutes, using flashcards during downtime, reinforce memory without overwhelming the mind. Speaking concepts out loud, paired with physical movement like pacing, engages different parts of the brain, improving retention.
Applying the 20-minute rule—taking a break after learning a new concept and then reviewing—forces the brain to work harder, strengthening recall. Group study enhances your understanding. Personalizing material, such as relating it to your own life, makes it more meaningful and memorable. Before bed, mentally reviewing key information helps consolidate memory overnight. Active brain breaks, like walking or stretching, refresh the mind and enhance focus. Tackling difficult material first and creating memory triggers by using familiar settings or objects further enhance retention. Choose what works for you. These techniques, when practiced consistently, can significantly improve a student’s ability to retain and recall important information during high-pressure moments.
Avoid Cheating
Stealing exams may seem like a quick fix for academic pressure, but it leads to serious consequences, including suspension, expulsion, legal trouble, and a permanent loss of trust and integrity. The temptation often arises from feeling overwhelmed, unprepared, or afraid of failure, but cheating only robs students of the opportunity to truly learn and grow. Instead, students can avoid this by managing their time well, seeking help early, and embracing failure as part of the learning process. Integrity is key; true success comes from hard work, honesty, and personal growth, not from shortcuts that undermine education and your self-worth.
Personal Integrity and Academic Success
Remember to always seek God’s purpose in your studies. Always know that Christ is our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). As long as you believe in Jesus Christ, let this be one of your principles. Believe that the power lies in you, and you can perform exceptionally if you align your hard work with God’s purpose. Incorporate God’s purpose into your studies by seeking to understand how your education, courses, or degree align with His broader plan for your life. This approach can provide you with a revitalized sense of purpose and guidance.
Remember also that God has positioned you in this academic season for a specific purpose. As stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Even in the most routine tasks, we have the opportunity to serve God and derive motivation from this truth. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” When you feel weak or overwhelmed, rely on God. Make sure to always carve out time for God in your schedule.
Example of a Student’s Routine Scenario
6:30 AM – Wake Up and Morning Devotion
Wake up 30 minutes before your alarm, just remain in bed. It’s said this is the best time the subconscious mind gives you most of the life answers you’ve been looking for. The student starts the day early with a 15-minute morning devotion, reading a Bible passage and praying with thanksgiving as you also be a little bit silent to listen to the Holy Spirit for focus and guidance throughout the day. This helps set a peaceful and intentional tone before the busy day ahead. Set your goals for the day. Be intentional in commanding and succeeding in your day.
It is also time to review your behaviors and attitude to know what adds value and what needs to go (you can choose to do this in the morning or just before bed).
Do a quick review of your friends and decide who contributes to your goals.
Do a quick workout or some stretching exercises (optional but important).
Take a deep breath slowly—oxygen is crucial to the brain.
Drink a glass of warm water before breakfast to jumpstart your digestion and rehydrate the body after more than 7 hours of sleep.
7:00 AM – Breakfast and Prepare for Class
After devotion, eat a healthy breakfast, prepare for the day, and review your planner to make sure you are ready for the classes and tasks on the schedule. Meanwhile, listen to an informative podcast/audiobook or some music to start the day positively.
8:00 AM – First Class (Online or On-Campus)
The student attends the first class of the day, staying engaged by taking notes and asking questions when necessary. In between classes, they review notes or complete assignments to stay on top of their workload.
11:00 AM – Study Session in the Library
With a break before the next class, the student heads to the library for focused study time. They use this hour to review lecture notes, work on an essay, and complete any pending assignments.
12:30 PM – Lunch Break with Friends
The student meets with friends for a quick lunch in the cafeteria. This provides a mental break from studying and allows them to socialize and recharge for the rest of the day.
1:30 PM – Second Class
The student attends the next class of the day. By staying organized and taking clear notes, they manage to keep up with the course material effectively.
4:00 PM – After Afternoon Classes
Engage in-school activities like sports practice, your hobbies like drawing, music lessons, or a study group. Or even part-time jobs; this helps in relation to learning about money and relationships as you earn money. Physical activity helps reduce stress and improves concentration, preparing them to study effectively later in the evening.
6:30 PM – Dinner and Relaxation
Have a healthy dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Then, spend some time unwinding and letting go of any stress accumulated throughout the day. You can choose what works for you, such as reading a book, journaling about your experiences and feelings, laughing with friends, or enjoying herbal tea. Relax and talk with family and friends to bond and catch up. If you’re in a boarding or hostel setting, take the opportunity to bond with your friends and get to know them better outside of class settings.
7:30 PM – Evening Study Session
After dinner, the student sets aside time to work on major assignments, review for upcoming exams, and read assigned materials for the next day’s classes. They focus on one subject at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
9:30 PM – Wind Down and Reflection
Before bed, spend a few minutes journaling or reflecting on the day. Then, review your accomplishments and prepare a list of tasks for the following day. Review your day in general and see what you did wrong (e.g., you were unfair to someone) and purpose to do better the following day. Talk to God in a prayer, let Him know you are grateful, and ask for help if you need one.
10:00 PM – Bedtime
The student prioritizes sleep, aiming for 7-8 hours of rest to stay energized and focused. They set an alarm for the next day and turn off their devices to ensure a restful night. This routine helps the student balance academics, work, social life, and self-care, as well as spiritual peace and focus.
Conclusion
Academic challenges are a normal part of the school experience. By understanding these challenges and implementing effective strategies, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your academic goals. Remember, it’s important to prioritize your well-being and seek support when needed. With perseverance and dedication, you can navigate the academic storm and emerge stronger, and have an unforgettable, beautiful experience.
Prayer
Dear my God,
As I embark on my academic journey, I ask for the strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. Help me to understand and overcome the obstacles that may come my way. Grant me the wisdom to implement effective strategies and the resilience to persevere in the face of adversity.
Thank you for your love and guidance. Please help me overcome my academic challenges and find the motivation, discipline, and focus I need to succeed.
Grant me the patience and persistence to manage my time effectively, and the creativity and curiosity to find new ways to learn and grow. Help me to develop effective study habits. May I find the support and resources I need to improve my memory and concentration, and reduce stress and anxiety. Help me to stay engaged and focused during class, and to retain and recall information more effectively. For this, I pray for myself and others.
Thank you for your unending grace and support.
In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray.
Amen.
Hey, I’m Angeline, your RN and founder of Finally Am Found. With a heart for mentorship, I’ve been guiding teens and young adults since 2017. As a Registered Nurse, I blend medical expertise with personal experiences to create a Christ-aligned space for self-discovery. Connect with Angeline on Facebook and let the journey to self-discovery begin!
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