The education system as we know it has developed in ways we might never have imagined before. With new research coming forth, the teaching styles and curriculum design are constantly changing and improving learning. Experts are always looking at how to make the curriculum in schools easier for children to adapt. In modern times we have arguably the best education system in history, thanks to technology.
However, students around the world still struggle with specific issues from time to time. Especially in modern times, the challenges for students have evolved from what they were decades ago.
Let’s talk about five educational challenges facing students of this era.
Not being able to narrow down a degree
One of the most common issues which students are facing in modern times is indecisiveness. As we mentioned, the education industry has grown in ways that we could never have imagined. With this comes a considerable amount of diversity in education as far as subject choices are concerned. Students face a hard time choosing a career path because there are just so many viable options.
One can opt for the traditional pathways like medical, legal, or engineering or move to something more diverse. Psychology, archeology, and social work are some of the most popular degree choices in modern times for both undergraduate and graduate-level students. The council on social work education (CSWE) comprises certain accrediting universities and promotes Master’s Social Work programs. Therefore, if students want to branch out, they always have the chance for CSWE accredited MSW programs at their disposal.
Social work is a highly sought-after degree choice in modern times, proving how diverse the education system has become. Hence the reason students are having a hard time choosing a career. There are many options available but no one to guide them. They often fail to recognize their skills and abilities relevant to a specific field. Hence, it creates the need for student counselors and career advisors.
Feeling overwhelmed
Many students in today’s age are complaining about how overwhelmed they feel because of the education system. Not only do schools and universities assign a fair number of assignments and conduct exams, but they fail to identify each student’s varying academic needs. Therefore, students feel an overarching sense of stress all the time.
There is no denying that the education system has become increasingly competitive, and everyone is looking to get ahead. But the sheer pressure on these students is hard to ignore. Some of them who are working alongside their education face more hurdles than full-time students. Imagine juggling work and university and trying to maintain a social life. It’s not easy, and students are having a hard time coping.
Disorganization
Universities set a certain number of credit hours that you can take each semester. At your undergraduate level, most students take on four to six courses each semester. That means roughly six exams, around 15 or more assignments, various presentations, and of course, attendance for all these courses. Managing all the subjects you have in a semester can be challenging, especially when you know how important these grades are for your transcript.
Therefore, students often cite disorganization as one of the issues they face in today’s academic age. With all that coursework, it’s hard to traverse the semester. Students often forget to do assignments, miss classes, and fail to study because of the sheer number of tasks and magnitude of coursework.
Emotional baggage
High school/college life is when students deal with diverse emotions that are hard to handle. Teenagers have their own set of emotional issues, most of which are rooted in social interactions. In contrast, young adults in college face problems that now revolve around the shift into adulthood and the uncertainty of career and professional development.
Coupled with the general stress of school work, more and more students are complaining about cognitive dissonance and emotional exhaustion. Depression and anxiety rated in students are at an all-time high. Additionally, many students cannot work on their emotional intelligence in school because of the institute’s negligence towards it. It leads to several consequences in their personal and professional life.
Adapting to online education
Students around the world are having a hard time adapting to online classes. Some of them are still bitter that they never got to say goodbye to their peers before schools shut down properly. Others refuse to adjust to technological change because of a lack of human touch. Yet others can’t get used to the new teaching method and are having a hard time adapting.
The sudden shift to online education came as a shock to everyone. Understandably, students have found the system to be unnatural, and some of them have shunned it. Whichever way you look at it, it seems like online education will become somewhat of a norm for the near future. At least as long as the virus still exists.
Conclusion
These are some of the recurring educational challenges which students are facing in this era. With rising levels of mental illness, ignorance is not and cannot be an option in the future.
Educational challenges can very well spill over into extreme psychological complexes if not appropriately handled. However, unions and organizations are more active than ever, fighting for students’ rights worldwide. They are striving hard to address students’ varying needs and to eradicate the ills of the education system.