What are some common reasons college students experience academic problems?
What can I do if I am having trouble in classes?
Who can help me?

What Are Some Common Reasons College Students Experience Academic Problems? (back to top)

Motivation: Some students don’t have a clear vision regarding their reason for being in college. Perhaps they are here at their parent’s insistence while not feeling that they are doing what they really want to do with their life. Sometimes courses and majors are chosen to please others, but have little or no relationship to the student’s true interests. Many students just aren’t sure about what they really want to do in their future career. It takes a fairly clear purpose to motivate a student to successfully engage in the lengthy and difficult process of higher education.

Inadequate Time Management: Many students work at part-time jobs and/or are engaged in time consuming extra-curricular activities at the University. The demands of academic assignments almost require students to have the time management skills of a successful busy business executive. Unfortunately, not many students have had any formal training in this area.

Study Skills: Apart from time management skills, it is known that a large proportion of students entering college have not had much in the way of useful instruction or assistance with specific study methods.

Social Distractions: Love and friendship are the most important things in the lives of most people, especially college students. It is often difficult to find the needed balance between socializing and studying.

Learning Disabilities: There are several disorders that are currently understood to be primarily neurological in origin that are frequently undiagnosed and treated, and which can be academically devastating. Capable students who may be interested in a topic and who spend a great deal of time studying can find themselves struggling or failing due to these problems.

Substance Abuse: While some college students bring with them serious problems of substance abuse or addiction from their pre-college years, it is known that the college years are those where alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse begin and become serious (sometimes life-long) problems. While not all addicted or substance abusing students flunk out of college, some do as well as they could. Some of these students are actually treating themselves chemically for a psychological problem that they may or may not be aware of.

Psychological Issues: A large number of college students are struggling with the many demands of college life while also dealing with major emotional issues such as loss, depression, and anxiety. Undiagnosed and untreated, many of these kinds of problems lead to academic difficulties and/or obstacles.

What Can I Do if I am having trouble in classes? (back to top)

Experiencing academic difficulties is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't avoid the problem. Any of the above issues and problems may cause students to feel inadequate or result in serious academic difficulties and failure. It is important to avoid waiting until it is too late to ask for assistance. Here are some strategies to assist you with academic problems.

• Take action immediately. The BVU counselor is trained to help you cope with most of these problems. She can provide strategies that will help you solve your problems, reduce your anxiety, and get back on track.
  
• Contact the Center for Academic Excellence can assist with study skills, tutoring, and time management.
  
• If you are unsure of you career path, Career Services provides vocational and career counseling to assist you in making good decisions and choices about your future. In addition, the Office of Student Services provides additional assistance and information to the BVU student.
  
• Contact your professors. This action shows that you are interested in your academic study and they are generally interested in seeing you succeed.
  
• Be your own best advocate. Put shame aside and work hard to seek success as a student.

Who can help me? (back to top)

Counseling Office: 2123 or 1226
Center for Academic Excellence: 1236
Career Services: 2440