Having a college degree can open doors for many job opportunities that can further help in meeting personal and professional goals. Therefore, picking the right college plays an essential role in kick starting one’s career growth.
Getting into college is definitely exciting for both students and their parents. This is practically the first step for students towards building a career for themselves. But at the same time, the entire process can be quite confusing and overwhelming. Amidst pursuing academic goals to chasing interests, there’s a lot a student has to deal with.
You’ll be surprised to know that only 54.8% of college students end up graduating. And one of the prominent reasons for the fallout is not choosing the right college and course.
Studies show that there are many challenges students and parents face while choosing the right college. They can affect their academic performance in the long run.
Thus, if you are all set to unveil the next chapter of your academic life, here’s something that can help you streamline your journey. Follow along to learn more about the certain challenges you may encounter while picking the right college and ways to overcome them.
Financial challenges
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that higher education is an expensive affair. Research shows that the cost of higher education has risen to more than 200% in the past few years. And not everyone has the means to afford that.
As a result, many students have to face debt pressure to pay for their higher education. Furthermore, it forces them to take part-time or full-time jobs to pay for the installments. This kind of financial pressure and juggling multiple hours of work can make it difficult for students to pay attention in their classes.
So, what’s the solution?
Several alternatives can help you get into your dream college and manage your financial dilemmas simultaneously. Some of them are listed below.
- Many students ignore taking advantage of available financial aid. There are a lot of institutions that offer grants and scholarships over $1 million/year. They can help you pay for your higher education. All you need to do is apply and meet the eligibility requirements.
- If you’ve applied for a student loan, make sure you consider curtailing your expenses. Look for cheaper housing or transportation alternatives to save money. This way, you won’t have to spend much time on your part-time jobs.
Academic challenges
Not everyone has their 5-year plan drafted before picking the right career path. In fact, a recent survey shows that 7 out of 10 students pick a course recommended by their friends or parents. This is because students are not well aware of their interests and passions. It is also one of the major reasons for escalating dropout rates.
Thus, if you want to witness academic success and ensure strong career growth, it is crucial to pick the right degree course.
For this, your first step should be to learn about what interests you. Turning your passion into a profession is the best way to ensure career success. The best part about modern education is that there are a plethora of options to choose from. All you need to do is research and explore the field of your interest and learn how it can help you with your professional life.
Suppose you are interested in music and want to pursue it as your career. In that case, you would need to study the dynamics of the industry and learn what actually interests you the most. Do you want to be a composer, lyricist, or vocal artist?
This research methodology will help you pick a major in your college and get quality insights into the industry.
But let’s be honest, it is not as easy to find your interests as it seems. You may feel confused between multiple interests. Plus, there’s a good chance that the major you choose during your degree course might add to your financial problems. In that case, consulting with an academic counselor can help you with your dilemma. The experienced professionals will discuss everything from college major stereotypes, career paths, interests, and future plans. Additionally, their report will help you figure out the best course and major for you. Not only this, but they will also help you find an institute that adheres to your financial situation.
Mental health challenges
Career counselors have noticed that many students put way too much pressure on themselves to pick the right institute and course. The pressure can further lead to elevated stress levels and emotional lows. If left untreated, it can be the root cause of mental issues such as anxiety and depression.
For instance, many students feel that their career choices might not be able to satisfy their parent’s expectations. Such negative thoughts can give rise to insecurities and psychological disorders. Recent reports confirm that escalating rates of such psychological disorders is one of the leading causes of suicide among young children.
That’s why make sure you keep your mental health in check throughout the process. Go easy on yourself and keep in mind that making wrong decisions is not the end of the world. You need to realize that staying mentally sound is one of the best and first steps towards handling financial and academic challenges.
For this, you can consider practicing mindful meditation to calm your nerves and stay focused on your primary goals.
If you feel that you are not able to cope with your mental issues, it would be great to seek professional help. The professionals will help you talk about your problems and insecurities and provide the necessary solutions to deal with them.
Ensuring strong mental health will help you stay calm throughout the process and make the right decisions. That was the ultimate plan. Right?
The bottom line
Finding the right college and course certainly plays a crucial role in meeting your academic and professional goals. Hopefully, this article was informative enough to shed some light on the potential challenges you may encounter and how to overcome them.
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