Helpful Resources for Students Struggling in College

College can be one of the most exciting times in a person’s life, but it can also be an extremely challenging one. Between building a new social network, living away from home, and balancing a heavy academic workload, many collegiate students often experience some level of stress while in school.

Luckily, there are numerous resources available for students who are struggling in college. Here at Educational Attainment Services, we specialize in helping students succeed, which is why we’re happy to share these three lesser-known options that are designed to help you perform better in school.

What you can do if you’re struggling in college.

Request help outside of the classroom setting.

In college, it’s not always easy or even possible to get extra help on challenging topics while in class. Whether it’s a large lecture that doesn’t promote much interaction between the professor and students or you are simply hesitant to speak up during class, it’s easy to start struggling in college if you don’t get the support you need. However, if you’re facing these types of issues, you can find support outside of the classroom.

Most professors hold office hours where you can receive more personalized attention, and you can also reach out to any teacher’s assistants for extra help on a subject. Outside of the teaching staff themselves, there are also ample amounts of tutors available. Whether it’s through the school, a professional college tutoring provider, or an online digital platform, these experts can help you work through your challenges and improve your grades.

Register with the office of disability services.

If you were a student in high school who qualified for an IEP or 504 plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, then you likely have access to special resources in college. While colleges and universities aren't beholden to the IDEA Act, they must still comply with both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. That means they must supply reasonable accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

You’ll have to register with your school’s disability services office, and once you’ve been approved, you’ll have access to incredibly valuable resources for students struggling with college. While the exact services offered can vary by school, some of the more common ones include the use of note-takers for class lectures, receiving audio recordings of lectures and required readings, and taking exams in a distraction-reduced room.

Take advantage of modern technology.

These days, there are countless paid and free resources available for students who are struggling with their college studies. Whether it’s a website, app for your phone or laptop, or new software, these tools can help you overcome your challenges and prosper in your studies.

You can find a slew of them simply by searching online, but here is a partial list of some that we’ve found to be incredibly helpful to students:

Websites.

• Grammarly is a helpful widget that checks your writing for spelling and grammar errors.
• Quizlet gets rid of traditional notecards and helps you study using flashcards, games, and more.
• Habitica is a helpful tool for maintaining your productivity by gamifying your life and granting rewards.

Assistive technologies.

• Speech-to-text processors are great for students who struggle with writing because they translate the words you say audibly into the text on your computer screen.
• Text-to-speech software works in reverse and makes it easier for students to study by only having to listen rather than read the materials.
• Smartpens are available that record a lecture while you take notes in a specialized notebook, so you can listen to the portion of the lecture that coincides with the timestamp of when the note was written.

Are you someone who is struggling in college?

Let the experts here at Educational Attainment Services help you. For more than a decade, we’ve helped students just like you overcome their hurdles so they can find greater success during college. We have valuable resources that can help you do the same. Learn more about how we can help, or reach out to us online to get started.