There are a lot of reasons why students find it difficult getting into the university just after finishing high school, starting from choice of school to cost of tuition. That is why students especially those from financially disadvantaged families, find it difficult transitioning from High school to a university or college. Some examples are explained below.
- HIGH COST OF TUITION
Most parents wish to send their wards to good schools, but the high cost and steady increase of school fees is a major constraint for them. Although some developed countries are helping to ease the burden off parents, by providing tuition free colleges for its citizens.
- REPAYING STUDENT LOANS
There’s a longing by students to attend good colleges, so some take loans in other to help them get a degree and secure a well-paying job at the end. Even after graduation they still can’t payback these loans because of high interest rate.
- NOT ENOUGH STUDY AND WORK JOBS
Most student get extra cash from work-study programs, which enables them take care of some bills instead of waiting for their parents to send money to them. But due to the limited number of jobs available even for those not schooling it is more difficult for students to get a job that can pay well. Even when some go on internships they are not paid.
- LACK OF BUDGET PLANNING
In the quest to get all they need to feel comfortable while schooling, students tend to spend above their means. Some just spend the money without thinking of saving for the raining day, while others buy things just to impress friends. There should always be a detailed budget for each month or semester, where how the money received is going to be spent, laying more emphasis on needs and not wants.
HOW TO IMPROVE STUDENT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES GLOBALLY
- GIVE TUITION DISCOUNTS
If discounts are applied to the tuition of students, this can in a way reduce the financial burden on them, they can now use that discount for another expense like purchasing books etc.
- GIVING MORE STUDY GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIP
Governments and institution should give more grants and scholarship to those who need and deserve it. When a student receives a grant or scholarship, they tend to focus more on studying and passing their exams instead of worrying about how to pay for school fees. It can also make them reach the peak of their careers.
3. CREATING STUDY AND WORK PROGRAMS
Institutions should create enough job for students, who want to work and study at the same time. The students should also be paid well during the working period and not used as a means to cut cost. There should also be paid internships.
- AFFORDABLE AND COMFORTABLE HOUSING
If the hostel within the college is conducive enough for students, they will not need to get houses outside that will eat into their finances, thereby making them spend so much money.
- GIVING INCENTIVES
Giving incentives like, free bus pass, free lunch, cash gifts for well deserving students, can also reduce their expenses and they can channel the money into something else.
CHALLENGES OF STUDENTS WHEN STARTING COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
There are a few challenges faced by first time college students and some of the examples include:
- 1. TRANSITIONING INTO A NEW PHASE
It’s exciting to always move from one phase of education cycle to another, but there is a huge difference between high school and University. Some of these differences are what scares some students during their preparation for university. The thought of having more in-depth and long lectures, complicated assignment etc, as well as being in charge of you daily is one of the fears of students. No mum and dad to help you out, you have to be responsible for how you spend your finances etc
- CHOICE OF CAREER PATH
Due to maybe lack of money or inadequate counselling/guidance, students are sometimes faced with which career path to take. Some tend to choose a less expensive course of study, because their family can’t afford their main choice which is very expensive. Others might choice a course based on peer pressure i.e. if majority of their friends is choosing to study a particular course, they tend to pick interest in it, and just so they can be among these friends, despite not being good at the course. But if adequate guidance is given this can be avoided.
- HARASSMENT
Harassment especially sexual has eaten deep into most institutions and the female students are preys to this. Scenarios where as a new student, you are told that if you do not sleep with a lecture you can’t pass his course, because of how naïve and innocent some of them are, they fall victims. Harassment from cultist is another huge problem young boy’s face in colleges. They are brained washed into believing that joining a cult gives you some form of immunity and protection.
- 4. LIVING WITH PEOPLE
Some people cherish their private space so much that when they enter into the university, it becomes a problem for them, where they have to live with people room different backgrounds, characters etc there will a lot of disagreements initially when it comes to chores in the rooms and so on. But as time goes on there will be adjustments, they will understand themselves better.
5. TIME MANAGEMENT
When in high school, days activities are usually planned for the students, and ringing of the bell is used to remind the students that an activity is over and another is about to start. So now that they have transitioned into college their body hasn’t gotten used to the new system of things just yet, this can affect their waking up, going for classes etc. Sometimes procrastination is part of their routine.
- RELATIONSHIP
It is believed by some people, that getting into college is a licence to be in a relationship. While it is not bad to get into a relationship, it is not a priority for students just starting colleges. It takes your time, you forget the actual reason why you are in school, it gets overwhelming sometimes and when there is a break up, the performance of the student is affected and this can lead to depression. So it is always advisable to stay away from relationships, especially romantic ones to avoid being distracted.
- HOMESICKNESS
Being home sick is in fact one of the first challenge faced by students when starting the university. The reality of them being away from starts to set in and they start missing home, their siblings and even homemade meals. However this is not limited to just those starting colleges, even the older students sometimes get homesick. This sometimes happen when the semester seems to be extremely long and you are running out of money and food. This just simply means that no matter how new or old you are in college, at some point you start feeling the need to go home.
CAUSES OF FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
Some financial challenges can be caused by the following listed and explained below:
- INFLATION
As inflation constantly occurs, a lot of sectors are being affected by this, for example in the educational sector, if there is increase in the price of fuel, it can lead to the increase in school fees/ tuition because most of these colleges use fuel in their daily activity to run the school. And if parents can’t afford the new rate they might be forced to withdraw their wards. This is to say that the rise in economy can lead to student dropping out of school.
2. SPENDING ABOVE YOUR INCOME
In a tech-savvy world that we live in presently, where social media is making people live their lives based on how they are perceived by others, making them spend beyond their income just to feel relevant in the society. For instance a parent, who doesn’t earn so much, can decide to put his child in an expensive school, just so he won’t as poor. In the long run he will end up using his salary to pay fees, and then borrow to feed the family. And as long as this is a norm, he will continue to run into debt and won’t have enough.
3. BAD FINANCIAL DECISIONS
When wrong financial decisions are made Parents or students, it can lead to financial crisis. Putting your wants above your needs, taking unnecessary loans, making non-profit risky investments, not saving out of your income, gambling with your pocket money and poor budgeting are all bad financial decision that can cause financial challenges.
4. LOSS OF JOB
When a parent loses a job, it has a terrible impact on the family this in turn can affect the education of the children. The children might even be asked to stop school because their fees can’t be paid, or they can be moved to an inexpensive school.
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