Written By Marc Lehman
Owner and Family Therapist at U ARE HEARD LLC
You send your student off to college with high hopes. They’re going to get a great education, make new friends, and have the time of their lives. But then, something goes wrong. Your student starts struggling in school and their grades begin to slip. Suddenly, you’re left wondering what happened and how you can help your student get back on track. Here are some of the most common reasons why students struggle in college and what you can do to help them overcome these challenges.
- Their coursework is more difficult than they expected.
If your student is struggling with the difficulty of their coursework, there are a few things you can do to help them out. First, encourage them to talk to their professor. They may be able to offer some advice on how to approach the material or suggest some resources that will be helpful. You can also help your student by hiring a tutor or enrolling them in a study skills class. These classes can teach your student how to better manage their time, take notes effectively, and study for exams.
- They’re having trouble making friends.
Making friends in college can be tough, especially if your student is shy or introverted. One way you can help them is by encouraging them to get involved in extracurricular activities or clubs that interest them. This will give them a chance to meet other students with similar interests and make friends in a low-pressure environment. You can also suggest that they join a fraternity or sorority; these organizations are full of students who are looking for new friends and are always willing to help out newcomers. Finally, tell your student to be open to meeting people from all different backgrounds; some of their best friends in college may come from unexpected places.
- They’re homesickness and missing home too much.
Homesickness is perfectly normal and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If your student is struggling with homesickness, there are a few things you can do to help them feel better. First, encourage them to stay in touch with their family and friends back home; talking to loved ones will help remind them of all the reasons they decided to go to college in the first place. Second, tell them to get involved on campus; the more involved they are, the less time they’ll have to dwell on homesickness. And finally, suggest that they take some time for themselves; Homesickness can be overwhelming, so it’s important for your student to have some time each day where they can relax and de-stress.
If your student is struggling in college, it’s important not to panic. There are a number of reasons why students struggle at college and many of these problems can be overcome with the right support from loved ones back home. So take a deep breath, reach out for help if you need it, and remember that this is just a phase; things will get better eventually!