Study Skills in Higher Education: Challenges and Recommendations

This report delves into the crucial role of study skills in higher education, defining them as essential transferable abilities for effective learning and academic success. It addresses the myriad challenges students encounter when starting university, including increased stress, financial difficulties, and health concerns. The report provides an in-depth review and analysis of these common problems, such as academic pressures, financial burdens, depression, social conflicts, and health issues. It then offers practical recommendations, including time management techniques, the importance of self-care, seeking professional support, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and fostering effective communication in relationships. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of these skills in both academic and professional spheres, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to overcome challenges and achieve university goals. The report underscores the need for students to adopt strategies to navigate the complexities of higher education and thrive academically.

Study Skills for Higher
Education

ABSTRACT
Study skills are the transferrable skills that are required by an individual to learn effectively.
At the time of starting university, a student faces many difficulties including increasing stress,
declining health condition, lack of money etc. All these issues can be overcome by adopting
various measures planning to visit home timely, manage time appropriately to reduce stress etc.

Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Review and analysis...............................................................................................................4
Recommendations..................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Study skills are defined as an array of skills data required by an individual to study and learn
effectively and efficiently. These are the crucial set of transferable skills which helps in tackling
the procedure of organising and dealing with assessments (Cottrell, 2019). Good study skills will
keep an individual motivated and enable to attain goals more efficiently. This project intent to
analyse the challenges that may face by student at the time when the start University. This report
discusses about various challenges that student face while starting study along with some
recommendations that may help students in overcoming those challenges.
MAIN BODY
Review and analysis
At the time of studying at University, it is very difficult for a student to manage all the
things in proper way. Starting a University is the similar starting a new life. Students embark on
new journey when they leave home for going University. There is various learning that a student
will gain that highly contributes in shaping up their outlook on life. Many students are not get
themselves ready for the challenges while starting University and end up by having a strong
emotional effect due to which they take extra time to adjust (Hyseni Duraku and Hoxha, 2018).
Since time spent in University is a very good experience for most of students, there are
certain rough patches. Situation of every student is unique. But some problems are common that
almost All students face during their college time. Students who make their way to college they
might face the problems. Some common problems students facing in university are mentioned
below:
1- Study
Academically University is much more challenging then the Higher school. It takes more
efforts than in High School. Most of the Universities often pack their 2 years’ content into a
single year. In such Situation it seems difficult to stay at top (Carpenter, Dearlove and Marland,
2015).
2- Money
Tuition fees are rising on an alarming high rates. In addition to this, there are meal cost,
transportation cost, textbooks cost and other cost. Every year many students discontinue with
college because they couldn't afford. While other students are forced part time jobs for their

successful end. It is difficult in this era to complete graduation without debt which is one among
the challenges faced by students while starting the university.
3- Depression
Many factors can lead to depression such as the pressure of studies. Sometimes, more
pressure of studies results in increasing stress of students due to which they ultimately get into
depression (Van Hees, Moyson and Roeyers, 2015). Some people feeling relaxed in partying and
some find themselves depressed. This is the challenge which might face by students initially
when they studying in university.
4- Friends/ roommates
Friends and acquaintances are important. Nevertheless, spending time with them can be
conflicting. Conflicts can come to light when the nature of two people is completely different. It
is very challenging for a student to find good friends at new place which sometimes make the
students feel lonely.
5- Partying
Partying is not bad in itself. It was designed so students can enjoy and have a great time
with other people. However, sometimes it can lead to problems. High on alcohol causes great
drunkenness. Apart from this, the company that an individual get in partying is not good then it
may lead the student towards wrong path (O'Flaherty and Phillips, 2015).
6- Sickness/ health condition
Heightened stress, lacking sleep causes health problems. Contiguous quarters also cause
health risk and maximize the probability of contracting with some sort of virus. At a new place,
it becomes very difficult for a student to adjust themselves. In that situation, they take stress
which leads them towards sickness.
7- Working while in university
Students do part time to furnish the high fees of college. They juggle all day long with
studies and work which led to sleeplessness which further led to health problems. Not getting
enough sleep will lead the students to various health related issue. Without having proper sleep,
students are exposed to health issues (Lai and Hong, 2015).
8- Relationships
Relationships are healthy but they are hazardous too. Many times couples indulge into
conflicts and disagreements. Disagreements between them led to distract them from studies and

ultimately their stress level increases. It is the challenge which most of the students face while
studying in university as Break-ups can lead the student into depression.
9- Choosing the field
A lot of pressure put into the selection of major. As it determines future, annual income
etc. Students sometimes take much stress in thinking about in which area of study they require to
go as their entire career depend on it. This is the challenge that students might experience when
start university (Cottrell, 2017).
Recommendations
There are various challenges that students are experience when they studying at the
University. Initially, they are not ready to take the challenges and face various difficulties to
adjust in a new life. This will create various complications for them which ultimately impacts on
their study (Cox, Imrie and Miller, 2014). So, it is very necessary for students to not pressurize
from those challenges and undertake various ways to overcome the challenges faced by them.
Some of the recommendations that can help student in overcoming the challenges are mentioned
below:
Time management is one of the issue which is faced by many students while studying at the
University. To overcome this issue, it is recommended that student should prepare a list of work
that they need to do and prioritise their work as per their significance. It is very crucial for
students to schedule time for taking breaks, having fun, studying or any other work in order to
keep their mind clear and fresh. This will help in reducing the pressure of student of study and
enable them to manage their time in effective way by completing all the work on time. Students
should know their maximum. The ultimate aim of the university is to Boost the knowledge of its
pupils but it does not mean students only focus on their study all the time. It is also important to
make time for themselves as well.
The another issue which might face by student include homesickness for those who are far
from home. In order to overcome this challenge, student should plan to visit their home within a
month. Apart from this, they should constantly keep in touch with their friends and family
members and contact them through emails, phone calls and messages. The steps surely help
students in reducing the homesickness feeling and focusing more on their studies. This will also
help student in achieving their University goals in an effective way.

In addition to this, the student should seek professional support in order to get rid of stress
and depression. There are various campuses that provide free counselling sessions for students in
order to make them feel happy and relax. Seeking help of councillors can prove to be very
beneficial student to get back on track as they are well trained unable to understand the views
and thoughts of student. Moreover, due to stress and various other issues, the health risk of the
student can increase. In order to overcome this issue, it is recommended to student that they
should have healthy diet and balanced meals. Apart from this, washing hands properly, having
sound sleep etc. can also help student in overcoming the issues associated with health condition
and sickness.
Poor relationship creates a challenge for student and they cannot concentrate on their studies
due to this. So, for overcoming the challenge, it is recommended to student that establish clear
communication regarding their expectations and need from the outset. Having good
communication among the partners will help student in concentrating on their studies properly
and attaining the university goals in an effective manner. So, all the above mentioned are the
recommendations that a student needs to take into consideration in order to get growth in their
academic career.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that study skills are very
important for an individual in order grow and get success in academic as well as professional
area. There are various challenges that a student experience when start the university. These
challenges include money, relationships, choosing the major, working while in university,
depression, partying, money, study etc. All these challenges may impact on health of a student.
So, it is necessary for the students to take appropriate measures to overcome all these challenges
and attain goals in university.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cottrell, S., 2019. The study skills handbook. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Hyseni Duraku, Z. and Hoxha, L., 2018. Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support,
psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic
performance. Health psychology open, 5(2), p.2055102918799963.
Carpenter, J., Dearlove, J. and Marland, J., 2015. Student skills and the Bradley agenda in
Australia. Higher Education Research & Development, 34(2), pp.284-297.
Van Hees, V., Moyson, T. and Roeyers, H., 2015. Higher education experiences of students with
autism spectrum disorder: Challenges, benefits and support needs. Journal of autism and
developmental disorders, 45(6), pp.1673-1688.
O'Flaherty, J. and Phillips, C., 2015. The use of flipped classrooms in higher education: A
scoping review. The internet and higher education, 25, pp.85-95.
Lai, K.W. and Hong, K.S., 2015. Technology use and learning characteristics of students in
higher education: Do generational differences exist?. British Journal of Educational
Technology, 46(4), pp.725-738.
Cottrell, S., 2017. Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument and reflection. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Cox, K., Imrie, B.W. and Miller, A., 2014. Student assessment in higher education: a handbook
for assessing performance. Routledge.