How can universities support students with their challenges? Engaging with Everyday Challenges: Supporting University Students to be Productive, Responsive Adults Dr Abi Brooker University of Melbourne How can universities support students with their challenges? What challenges do first-year university students face? How do they deal with their challenges?

Their challenges affected different parts of their lives Time management (89 students): “Managing my time effectively. Working 4 days a week, whilst ensuring that school tasks are submitted on time and trying to keep friends happy … There’s simply not enough hours in the day to study. I am tired and stressed all the time because I cannot concentrate for long periods or at an optimal level.” Work load (39 students): “The work load. I feel like I don’t belong here and I don’t fit in with people as they are smarter than me. The schoolwork is difficult for me. Sometimes as I work with people I feel like I’m the only one not understanding the work while the others know what they are doing.”

They addressed their challenges in different ways