The Most Difficult Thing for Students to Tackle, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the thing you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:26

As a student steps into the realm of academics and personal development, they often encounter a myriad of challenging tasks, each demanding a unique set of skills and perseverance. Identifying which of these tasks poses the greatest hurdle can significantly help in garnering support and resources tailored to overcome these obstacles. By participating in this ranking, students and educators can contribute their experiences, thus highlighting the most pressing challenges. This collective insight not only aids in understanding common difficulties but also fosters a community geared towards innovative solutions.

What Is the Most Difficult Thing for Students to Tackle?

1

80
votes
Time management

Peter Drucker

Many students struggle with managing their time efficiently, which can lead to stress, missed deadlines, and poor academic performance.
Time management is the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks in order to make the most efficient use of time. It involves setting goals, creating schedules, and managing distractions to ensure productivity and maximize accomplishments.

Goal setting: The skill of defining clear objectives and identifying what needs to be accomplished.

Prioritization: The ability to determine the order of tasks and address the most important ones first.

Planning: Creating a schedule or action plan that outlines the necessary tasks and their deadlines.

Time allocation: Allocating appropriate amounts of time to each task based on its importance and complexity.

Organizational skills: Efficiently arranging tasks, resources, and information to enhance productivity and minimize confusion.
Time management in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most underrated skills
- Position 4 of 10 in Most difficult part of lesson planning
- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult part of the IELTS test
- Position 7 of 10 in Most difficult aspect of child care
- Position 10 of 10 in Most difficult part in creating a Table of Specifications
- Position 10 of 10 in Most difficult thing in a relationship
2

40
votes
Procrastination

Procrastination is a common problem among students, and it can prevent them from completing assignments and studying effectively.
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions despite knowing that it may have negative consequences. It involves intentionally putting off important tasks and instead engaging in more pleasurable or less demanding activities, often resulting in increased stress and reduced productivity.

Nature: Procrastination is a behavioral tendency characterized by the habit of delaying tasks or actions.

Psychological aspect: It often stems from a combination of factors such as poor time management skills, low self-confidence, fear of failure or success, perfectionism, and difficulty in prioritizing tasks.

Negative impact: Procrastination can lead to increased stress, missed deadlines, decreased productivity, poor academic or professional performance, and a cycle of guilt and anxiety.

Common triggers: Procrastination can be triggered by various factors, including boredom, lack of motivation, task aversion, task complexity, and lack of clear goals or deadlines.

Types: There are different types of procrastinators, ranging from chronic procrastinators who habitually delay most tasks to situational procrastinators who only delay specific types of tasks.
3

27
votes
Concentration

Maintaining focus and concentration can be difficult, particularly in a world full of distractions such as social media and mobile devices.
Concentration is a mental skill that allows individuals to focus their attention on a specific task or stimuli, while ignoring distractions. It is the ability to direct one's mind towards a singular point of focus for an extended period of time.

Attention Span: The length of time an individual can maintain focus without getting distracted.

Selective Attention: The ability to selectively concentrate on a particular stimulus while filtering out irrelevant information.

Sustained Attention: The capacity to stay focused on a task or activity for an extended period of time.

Divided Attention: The capability to allocate and switch attention between multiple tasks or stimuli.

Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in one's mind while performing a task that requires concentration.
4

8
votes
Test anxiety

Test anxiety can have a negative impact on students' performance, leading to poor test scores and decreased confidence.
Test anxiety is a psychological condition characterized by excessive worry, nervousness, and fear experienced by individuals before, during, or after taking a test or examination. It can negatively impact a person's performance and overall well-being. The fear of failure, pressure to perform well, and the consequences associated with poor performance are common triggers for test anxiety. It can range from mild to severe and may manifest as physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.

Prevalence: Test anxiety affects a significant number of students across different educational levels and disciplines.

Causes: Test anxiety can be caused by various factors including fear of evaluation, perfectionism, lack of preparation, past negative experiences, and high-stakes testing environments.

Symptoms: Symptoms of test anxiety may include physical symptoms (sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea), cognitive symptoms (negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating), and behavioral symptoms (avoidance, procrastination).

Effects: Test anxiety can lead to decreased test performance, impaired memory and concentration, decreased self-confidence, and increased stress levels.

Treatment: There are various strategies and interventions for managing test anxiety, including relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, test preparation skills, and creating a supportive learning environment.
Test anxiety in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult part of OET
- Position 7 of 10 in Most difficult part of the IELTS test
5

13
votes
Comprehension

Some students struggle with understanding complex concepts, which can make it difficult for them to succeed in certain subjects.
Comprehension refers to the ability of a student to understand and interpret written or spoken information. It involves grasping the meaning of words, sentences, and passages, and being able to make connections, draw inferences, and identify key ideas.

Reading Skills: Comprehension heavily relies on strong reading skills, including vocabulary knowledge, decoding, and fluency.

Background Knowledge: Prior knowledge and understanding of the topic or subject matter greatly influences comprehension.

Cognitive Skills: Comprehension involves various cognitive processes such as attention, memory, reasoning, and inference-making.

Text Structure: Understanding the organization and structure of written or spoken text aids comprehension.

Active Engagement: Active engagement with the text through annotation, summarization, and asking questions supports comprehension.
6

13
votes
Writing

Writing can be a challenging skill for some students to master, particularly when it comes to academic writing and research papers.
Writing is considered one of the most difficult aspects of learning a foreign language. It involves learning to write coherently and accurately using the language's grammar, vocabulary, and writing conventions. Writing in a foreign language requires a deep understanding of the language's rules and structures, as well as the ability to express thoughts and ideas effectively.

Language Proficiency: Requires a high level of proficiency in the foreign language.

Grammar and Syntax: Correct usage of grammar rules and sentence structures is crucial.

Vocabulary: A wide range of vocabulary is necessary to express ideas accurately.

Spelling and Punctuation: Accurate spelling and proper punctuation are essential.

Writing Style: Adapting to the appropriate writing style of the foreign language is important.
7

15
votes
Ekta Parishad · CC BY-SA 3.0

Public speaking

Public speaking is a common fear for many people, and students may struggle with giving presentations and speeches in front of their peers.
Public speaking is the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience. It involves various verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to effectively convey a message or information to a large group of people. The skill of public speaking is important in many professional and personal contexts, such as delivering presentations at work, giving speeches at events, or even expressing oneself confidently in social situations.

Confidence: Public speaking requires the ability to project confidence and assertiveness while speaking in front of an audience.

Clarity: Effective public speaking entails clear and articulate delivery of ideas and concepts.

Engagement: Engaging the audience through compelling content and persuasive speaking techniques is a vital aspect of public speaking.

Body Language: Nonverbal cues such as eye contact, gestures, and posture play a significant role in public speaking.

Vocal Control: Mastering vocal techniques like tone, volume, pitch, and pacing is crucial for effective public speaking.
Public speaking in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult skill to learn
- Position 9 of 10 in Most fun skill to learn
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular form of mass communication
8

10
votes
Critical thinking

Richard Paul and Linda Elder

Critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating arguments, and making sound judgments, and it can be a difficult skill for students to develop.
Critical thinking is the process of analyzing and evaluating information or situations in a logical and systematic manner to form well-reasoned judgments or decisions. It involves actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from various sources.

Logic: Ability to assess the validity of arguments and identify logical fallacies.

Reasoning: Capacity to draw conclusions based on evidence and consider alternative viewpoints.

Problem-solving: Capability to identify and define problems, generate and implement solutions.

Reflection: Willingness to examine and dissect one's own beliefs, biases, and assumptions.

Analysis: Proficiency in breaking down complex information into components for examination.
Critical thinking in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most underrated skills
- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult skill to learn
9

8
votes
Motivation

Some students struggle with staying motivated, particularly when they find certain subjects or assignments uninteresting or challenging.
Motivation is one of the most difficult aspects of learning a foreign language. It refers to the internal drive and desire to continuously learn and improve in the language. It is crucial for language learners as it keeps them focused and committed, especially during challenging times.

1: Motivation is unique to each individual and varies based on personal goals and interests.

2: Motivation can be intrinsic, driven by internal factors such as personal enjoyment and curiosity.

3: Motivation can also be extrinsic, influenced by external factors such as rewards, recognition, or social pressure.

4: Motivation can fluctuate over time, affected by factors such as progress, setbacks, or other life priorities.

5: Creating a supportive and positive learning environment can enhance motivation.
10

5
votes
Time pressure

Students may feel pressure to complete assignments and study for exams within strict deadlines, which can be stressful and overwhelming.
Time pressure is the experience of having limited time to complete a task or achieve a goal. It is often felt by students who face deadlines for assignments, exams, or projects.

Stress-inducing: Time pressure can elicit stress and anxiety in students.

Enhances focus: Time pressure can help students concentrate and prioritize tasks.

Motivational: Having limited time can encourage students to work efficiently and meet their goals.

Affects decision-making: Under time pressure, students may make hurried decisions or sacrifice quality for speed.

Improves time management skills: Dealing with time pressure can enhance students' ability to effectively manage their time.

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult thing

Subject complexity

Some subjects are inherently more complex and challenging than others. For example, subjects like advanced mathematics, physics, or chemistry can be difficult for many students to grasp.
Learning style

Every student has a unique learning style, and some students may struggle with particular teaching methods or subject material that isn't presented in their preferred learning style.
Cognitive ability

Each student has a different cognitive ability, which can impact how quickly and easily they can absorb new information and concepts.
Prior knowledge and background

Students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds may have different levels of prior knowledge and experiences, which can influence their ability to understand new concepts and topics.
Language proficiency

Students who are not native speakers of the language in which the instruction is given may have greater difficulty understanding the material and participating in discussions.
Study skills and habits

Effective study skills and habits can make a significant difference in a student's ability to absorb and retain information. Students who struggle with studying may find certain topics and subjects more difficult to tackle.
Classroom environment

A supportive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes collaboration, engagement, and participation can significantly impact a student's ability to learn and understand difficult material.
Motivation and interest

Students who are genuinely interested and motivated to learn a subject will likely find it easier to tackle, even if it is considered difficult.
Teacher effectiveness

The ability of the teacher to convey complex ideas and concepts in a comprehensible and engaging manner can significantly impact a student's ability to understand difficult material.
Personal factors

Students may face various personal factors that can impact their academic performance, such as stress, mental health, family issues, or financial concerns.
Time management

Balancing various academic, social, and personal commitments can make it challenging for some students to devote the time and energy needed to succeed in challenging subjects.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult thing for students to tackle. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or thing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1923 views
226 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each thing once every 24 hours. The rank of each thing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult thing for students to tackle

As a student, there are many challenges that can make academic success seem out of reach. From managing time effectively to keeping up with course material, there are numerous obstacles that can derail even the most dedicated learners. In fact, when it comes to academic struggles, there are a few common themes that tend to crop up again and again. In this article, we'll explore some of the most difficult things for students to tackle and provide tips and insights to help you overcome these challenges and achieve your educational goals. So whether you're struggling with time management, study skills, or something else entirely, read on to discover how you can overcome these obstacles and succeed in your academic pursuits.