The Forum

Every fall, thousands of new college students arrive at their campuses worldwide. It is normal for them to feel excited, scared, and nervous. College life can be very overwhelming, especially for those who don't know how to navigate it.

The most common challenge is time management. In high school, deadlines may be pushed back, assignments are flexible and offer an open schedule. In college, most teachers close the assignments right after the due date. While students are also given more time to work on assignments, this can increase the opportunity for to forget them.

If new college students can learn to manage their time, not only will it help lead to academic success, but also prepare them for future careers and responsibilities. One of the most crucial things employers look for when hiring for jobs is time management skills. specifically, those who know how to prioritize tasks, meet their deadlines, and multitask efficiently. By using the available resources many students will be set for a lifetime of success.

Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students to go in person to a community college in their area as well as being physically in the high school. This program allows the students to start earning college credit while not experiencing as much pressure as a full-time college student. Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) offers Dual Enrollment as a way to earn up to 60 credits before the first semester at a four-year college or university and pay one-sixth the price.

While dual enrollment offers many advantages it also can introduce challenges especially when it comes to balancing two different schools and academic levels. “There is a lot of pressure to do it all in college,” stated Jessica Tran, an academic advisor at City College. Being under such constant pressure can lead to procrastination. With more freedom and independence and fewer deadlines, many students can fall into a rabbit hole of delaying work. This can be tough on the mental health of students due to the stress and sometimes lack of sleep.

The combination of academic expectations, extracurriculars, and responsibilities leads to burnout. Many students sacrifice their social life, sleep, and self-care to keep up with their workload. According to the National College Health Association, about 70% of college students report feeling overwhelmed throughout their first semester.

Despite the hardships and challenges, STLCC is packed with helpful resources. Students can find many of these resources on their website, which highlights tutoring, test prep, and study skills coaching. "Our goal is to help students develop effective strategies for academic success including managing time prepping for tests and taking effective notes, " according to the website.

For those who struggle, you are not alone. Many students daily go through the same problems. Get connected, branch out to find your true comfort zone, and live your college experience to the fullest. With the right strategies, students can turn the overwhelming nature of a college campus into a clear path for growth.