A Comprehensive Guide to Academic Concerns

Whether
you are in middle school, college, or university, studies can be
highly complicated and sometimes exhausting. While schools and
colleges are a source of personal development and inspiration for
students, academic pressure can result in stress and mental health
issues. Conversely, pre-existing psychological conditions can lead to
many academic challenges as well.

It's
normal to feel anxious and stressed in schools and colleges from time
to time. And this stress can often be felt in professional life as
well. Nearly everyone has experienced stress in life. However, if
academic pressures cause significant stress, anxiety, or other health
issues, it becomes vital to seek support from a professional.

In
this guide, we will delve deep into the concept of academic concerns,
what they are, and how it affects our mental health. So, without
further ado, let us begin!

What
are Academic Concerns?

Academic
concerns include various issues such as learning disabilities, lack
of attention, underachievement, bullying, etc. These concerns can
affect a large number of students throughout their academic careers.
Academic concerns may also influence a student's performance and are
likely to significantly affect different areas of life. In
such a situation, students can opt for counseling sessions and
corporate
training
programs, which will help them overcome their shortcomings and have
meaningful personal and professional lives.

Types
of Academic Challenges

Academic
Challenges are interrelated to a student’s performance and behavior
in school or college towards their fellow peers and teachers.
Academic challenges and concerns can greatly affect students. It has
the following types:

1. 
   Learning
   Differences
   

   
   

If
you have a learning issue/ disability or a mental health condition
like ADHD, it can be challenging to practice time management skills.
As a result, you will find it challenging to complete assignments or
learn at the same pace as other students.

2. 
   Perfectionism
   
   

   
   

Some
students tend to judge themselves harshly and set high academic
standards for themselves. For these students, it is difficult to
accept anything except high grades, a perfect GPA, and overall
academic success. Unfortunately, the need to be perfect can lead to
increased stress among students, resulting in mental health
conditions.

3. 
   Imposter
   Syndrome
   

   
   

Imposter
syndrome consists of students who don't have a sense of
belongingness. As a result, such students think they won't be able to
measure up to other students. Students
suffering from this syndrome sometimes feel they don't deserve
anything personally and professionally. As a result, they constantly
belittle themselves, and like a self-destruction bomb, they can
explode anytime!

4. 
   Bullying
   
   

   
   

This
is yet another common academic concern that can affect a student's
social life in an educational setting. So, if a student has been
bullied in the past, it can adversely disturb/ influence the student
in the long run.

5. 
   Academic
   Transitions
   

   
   

Transitioning
from a home school to a different school can pose various challenges.
For instance, students can find it hard to settle down in the new
environment, and of course, bullying is an inevitable factor. Students
who struggle to fit into the new surroundings can develop mental
health conditions, influencing them significantly.

6. 
   Balancing
   School & Other Responsibilities
   

   
   

Too
many things often stress us out. Right? We might try to multitask,
but we will definitely fail in some task or the other. The same is
the case with students. If
a student is balancing school/ college with working somewhere, taking
care of others, doing some social service, etc., it can lead to
significant stress and numerous mental health ailments. As a result,
the student won’t be able to pay attention to either of his duties,
which can further depress him.

Academic
Challenges & Mental Health

Academic
concerns are firmly connected to mental health. According to studies,
approximately 20% of students develop mental health issues during
school time, and only some receive treatment. Academic
concerns may also arise due to numerous mental health issues like
ADHD, anxiety, etc. Here are a few common mental health challenges
that students face apart from academic pressure.

• 
  Stress

  
  

• 
  Anxiety

  
  

• 
  Depression

  
  

• 
  Conflicts
  with family members & friends
  

  
  

• 
  Identity
  concerns
  

  
  

• 
  Self-esteem
  issues

  
  

• 
  Physical
  symptoms, like headaches, digestive problems, body aches, etc.
  

  
  

• 
  Insomnia
  
  

  
  

What
to do if a student has academic concerns?

Academic
concerns can have a vast and adverse impact on your
business
communication
skills, leadership skills, and other abilities that you may have.
Thus, if you are struggling with academic pressure, below are a few
tips you can follow:

1. 
   Therapy:
   
   

   
   

Academic
challenges are often related to stress, family, and financial issues.
In such situations, psychotherapy can help students address the
underlying challenges and develop strategies for coping with mental
health issues. School
counselors can help students identify their potential concerns and
offer strategies to overcome them. For instance, a student who finds
it challenging to complete assignments after a traumatic event can
definitely improve his/ her class performance after talking to a
therapist or clinical psychologist.

2. 
   Meet
   An Academic Advisor:
   

   
   

An
academic advisor helps students with their educational issues in many
academic institutions. For instance, if you are overwhelmed with too
many semester hours and find it challenging to meet the eligibility
requirements, the academic advisor can help you work through problems
and provide logical solutions.

3. 
   Go
   For Disability Services:

   
   

A
few students with learning disabilities can excel academically
without the help of academic programs. But some students who are
identified as 'exceptional' can benefit from the disability programs
and services. The
special education program aims to allow students with learning
disabilities to enjoy the same benefits and opportunities as other
'normal' students. Thus, whether you have a speaking disorder,
learning issues, lack of attention, etc., disability services can
help you a lot.

4. 
   Work
   With A Tutor:

   
   

A
student struggling with a specific subject can benefit from learning
and having study sessions with a tutor. For instance, if a student
struggles with subjects like mathematics, science, social studies,
etc., working with a tutor can help him deeply understand the subject
or a specific complex topic. In addition, tutoring can help students
inculcate confidence in the classroom which will eventually help them
in the long run.

5. 
   Practice
   Self-Care:

   
   

Creating
a self-care plan is an incredible way to stay calm and healthy while
dealing with stress and academic pressure. As a student, try spending
time with yourself, your friends, and your family. Also, play with
pets and prioritize getting a good sleep along with eating healthy
and nutritious food. Always remember - when you take care of
yourself, you tend to become more considerate and have clarity of
thoughts about what you want and in which direction you should head!

Conclusion

If
you are struggling with academic concerns, you can go for the
solutions mentioned above. Then, depending on the nature of your
challenges, you can decide which path you must take/ follow! Academic
concerns are concerning because they can lead to numerous emotional,
mental, and physical issues among students at an early age. Thus,
parents and teachers must ensure that if a child shows some mental
health symptoms, it is best to get them treated. In addition, mental
health can harm and ruin a student's career in the long run.
Therefore, it is suggested to identify the stressors and work towards
eliminating them!