by The college experience is a big, unfamiliar step into the next chapter of a person’s life. It can be exciting, meeting new people and exploring the abilities of one’s interest. But it can also be conflicting, meeting the expectations and pressures surrounding the lifestyle.
Students at HCCC were asked about the biggest issues they face.
For commuters, a big issue surrounding getting to and from the college was the roads in the winter. Navigating icy roads and snowstorms can make showing up to class more difficult. Commuting can also cause a feeling of social isolation. Not living on campus can make it harder for a student to be more involved with campus activities.
“I live off campus and the biggest issue I came across is getting to the school because I don’t have a car yet,” said Jillian Hutchinson, a commuter at the college whose biggest struggle is getting to and from the college without having a proper vehicle to drive there. Students also mentioned the costly price of filling up their tanks to get to and from the college.
Students living on campus find that the biggest challenges on being on campus 24/7 include roommate and living conflicts as well as financial insecurity. HCCC student Hailey Ramos said that her biggest struggle living on campus is simply being away from home.
Academically, students speak of the struggles of having a definite decision in which major they want. “I would go back and forth and switch the major I started out with,” said Emma Archer, when asked about the overwhelming aspects of the college lifestyle.
Students also spoke about the little time they feel they have to themselves. With the academic stress and build up of work, it seems there is little time to sit down and have a moment to themselves. Others shared how hard it is to navigate through college with obstacles such as autism and dyslexia.
A survey was distributed asking college students at HCCC to rate their abilities to balance an academic and social lifestyle. Most answered between seven or eight out of ten. When asked to rate their stress levels, most answered in the five to seven range out of ten.