A study conducted at the Durban University of Technology revealed that the majority of students cannot afford to pay tuition fees and as a result their academic performance is negatively affected. The majority of students indicated that they resort to part-time jobs to pay for their personal expenses and tuition fees, however, having to work part-time results in absenteeism. Missing class effects have been cited as signs of poor tests and even failure.
However, the majority stated that personal expenses are not as challenging as they can afford. There were those who said they couldn’t afford personal expenses either, and would do anything to make ends meet. This proves that the challenges that are imposed on the students can be a result of their backgrounds. Finance is a non-academic challenge that has significant impacts on students’ academic performance.
There were other challenges expressed by students that negatively affected their academic progress. These challenges include basic resources and access. Despite the challenges expressed by the students, they remain determined and hopeful about their grades. Share their views on how they can improve their academic life despite the financial burden they are carrying.
The students were very optimistic and believed that achieving this qualification could change their lives and lead to better jobs. When asked about the progress of the course, they explained that things like workload were not too challenging as they advised others to avoid procrastination so that they could finish assignments on time and meet deadlines to meet their obligations as students.
Students feel that there are additional support activities that the institution and lecturers can provide to facilitate their academic progress. They reported that they were given extra chapters for those areas they struggled with and focus on important sections of the units. They also believe that e-learning can be very beneficial as the lecturers can post notes and other information on the board for easy access. This will also help by giving them more time and attending lectures when it really matters.
They believe that staying focused and working hard can lead to success. Small things like good time management can improve students’ academic lives. They advised that one should not stress and just stay focused. For those who have experienced stress, he suggested joining an anxiety support group on campus and finding someone they could trust to take it off.