It is more common for college students than school pupils to struggle with their studies. This generally stems from the greater demand for self-study, the more complex nature for knowledge in higher education, and it can be addressed by skill training programs and effective lessons designed from educational institutions.
There are compelling reasons why university students are more likely to have difficulty in learning. Chief of these is that many of them are new to independent learning at university. Unlike grade school, in tertiary system, they were usually given support to only a broad study plan and a recommended reading list, leaving students having to work on their own without much support. In addition to this, university courses teach more in-depth knowledge which encompasses not only theoretical principles but also the practical applications of their subjects in specific fields. For example, marketing students are required to comprehend the fundamentals of marketing, customers insights as well as technical tools to run a productive ad campaign.
Given the aforementioned difficulties that university students encounter, universities should provide additional study skills training and re-design their curriculum. Regarding the former, as an illustration, a number of higher education institutions in Vietnam have introduced free-of-charge courses which equip freshmen with self-learning techniques and useful resources for support. These courses have proven effective in reducing stress and anxiety among students in their first year at university. For curriculum design, educators can divide complex concepts into more manageable sections and organize seminars with guest speakers being industry experts to help explain terms and ideas more comprehensibly. If the lecture content and delivery were designed adequately, students would be able to achieve their expected lecture objectives more easily.
In conclusion, the struggle of students at university can be explained by the lack of independent learning skills and the specialized nature of their studies. However, solutions including additional skill training and appropriate curriculum design can address this issue thoroughly. It is advisable that more study courses should be provided by universities to enhance students’ self-study.