Learning has many definitions. Some define it as a permanent change in behaviour, others offer the explanation that it occurs due to a person’s experiences. The crux of all these definitions is ultimately that learning is a life-long process wherein an individual grasps or at least tries to grasp and inculcate the abundant knowledge they acquire in the world. However, learning isn’t such a smooth sailing ship; it is faced with its own difficulties.
The challenges students face in academia are similar across all age groups. The reasons for difficulties can be attributed to both the parties; the students and the education system. It’s a vicious cycle and we’re all caught in it. Students are inundated with assignments, lectures, completing projects, meeting deadlines and still are expected to keep a happening social life. This overload leads to lack of motivation and elevation in anxiety and stress. However, every story has two sides; procrastination on the part students, leaving all the work up to the last moment, not meeting deadlines, inability to maintain a healthy work-life balance is what makes the situation worse.
One single person, or a few handful people can’t fight the entire system, therefore the only realistic and logical thing to do is for students to embrace the challenges that come their way and for the management to create an environment that nurtures a student and stimulates their growth. Various methods can be employed and utilised in order to make the situation better. Creating a warm and welcoming classroom environment, building healthy boundaries, exchange of positive feedback and constructive criticism among the students and the facilitators would propagate a healthy learning environment in educational institutions. It is also imperative on the part of the teachers and professors to have the knowledge that not every student learns the same way. Utilising interactive sessions, encouraging questions, celebrating small achievements, being aware of students’ learning difficulties and creating a secure space is crucial to foster a positive environment for learning. However, students also need to be appreciative of the diversity in the ways different facilitators would deliver the lectures. If students have different learning styles, then the educators have different teaching methods. Students play a very vital role in creating a learning environment that is secure and effective. They need to have a collaborative approach, should actively participate, be prepared for lectures and communicate clearly with their classmates and teachers. The onus to create a safe and respectful learning space does not only lie with the educator but also the students.
It is ultimately us who create the ‘system’ we live in, therefore each individual needs to realise their responsibility and work together to make the learning environment better.
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