3 Ways To Cope With Difficult Classes As An International Student
International students face more challenges than native students because of language barriers, cultural barriers, and more. If you are an international student, below are some tips to help you cope with difficult classes.
Study hard and be patient
A challenging class can be a great source of tension and frustration, but remember that hard work pays off.
You may have to spend more time studying than other students in your class, because there may be words that you don’t know, or because you can’t read as quickly in English, but it could also mean that you will remember information longer than your classmates will. When you find a class difficult, other students probably do too. Just take things easy with yourself. Don’t want to push too hard till you crash. To maximize a positive outcome; you need to balance hard work with patience.
Get help if you’re struggling
Don’t be proud, and don’t be shy to seek for help when you are struggling. Most college professors are very understanding about the challenges that international students face in the classroom, and will try to help you as much as possible if they are aware of your problem.
Pick classes wisely
Take your cultural experience and English proficiency into consideration when choosing courses. If you are a freshman who started learning English a year or two years ago, taking a high-level reading- and writing-based humanities class, such as History of Philosophy, might not be a good idea for you.
Save classes that require a firm vocabulary for later years. When you start college, it is better to take entry-level classes that fulfill the general interdisciplinary requirements (Mathematics, etc).
Throughout your time at College, your English proficiency will naturally progress. You might make it hard for yourself trying to take classes that require a sophisticated understanding of the English language. This might prevent you from earning good grades, and could also suppress your interest in a certain subject.