Many students find it harder to study when they are at university

parinaz valizadeh
آوریل 21, 2025
7:01 ب.ظ
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IELTS Band 9 Essay About Many students find it harder to study when they are at university

Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Many students find it harder to study when they are at university”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 100 band 9 IELTS samples released in April 2025.

Sample Essay (Band 9)

Many students find it harder to study when they are at university or college than when they were at school.

Why is this?

What can be done to solve the problem?

Many students struggle more with their studies at university or college compared to when they were in school. This issue can be attributed to various factors, and several measures can be taken to address it effectively.

One major reason why students find university life more challenging is the sudden increase in academic independence. Unlike school, where teachers often guide students step by step, university education demands a higher level of autonomy and self-regulation. This transition can be overwhelming, especially for those who have not yet developed effective time management or study strategies. Additionally, students often face increased pressure due to a heavier workload, the complexity of the subjects, and the need to balance academic responsibilities with part-time jobs or social commitments.

Another contributing factor is the lack of personalised support at higher education institutions. While schools usually offer closer teacher-student interactions, universities, particularly large ones, tend to have larger class sizes and limited one-on-one attention. This can lead to feelings of isolation, academic anxiety, and decreased motivation, which in turn negatively impact students’ performance.

To tackle these challenges, universities can implement orientation programs and workshops aimed at developing students’ academic skills and emotional resilience. Time management, critical thinking, and research skills should be taught explicitly during the early stages of university life. Furthermore, establishing mentoring systems, where senior students support newcomers, can ease the transition and create a sense of community. Universities should also ensure that counselling services and academic advisors are accessible and actively promoted.

In conclusion, the difficulty students face in adapting to university education stems from the shift towards academic independence and a lack of tailored support. By offering structured guidance and emotional assistance, educational institutions can play a pivotal role in helping students succeed.

Five Academic Words in the sample for Many students find it harder to study when they are at university

Struggle /ˈstrʌɡ.əl/
Many students struggle to keep up with the academic demands of university.
Factors /ˈfæk.tərz/
Several factors contribute to a student’s academic success or failure.
Autonomy /ɔːˈtɒn.ə.mi/
Developing autonomy is essential for university students.
Personalised /ˈpɜː.sən.əl.aɪzd/
A personalised learning approach can significantly improve academic outcomes.
Accessible /əkˈses.ə.bəl/
Universities must ensure mental health services are accessible to all students.

Five Advanced Grammar Structures & Their Impact

Complex Sentences with Subordination
“Unlike school, where teachers often guide students step by step, university education demands a higher level of autonomy.”
→ Shows ability to express contrasting ideas clearly, improving coherence and cohesion.
Passive Voice
“Time management, critical thinking, and research skills should be taught explicitly.”
→ Demonstrates grammatical range and shifts focus to the action rather than the doer.
Causative Constructions
“This transition can be overwhelming, especially for those who have not yet developed effective time management.”
→ Adds nuance and explanation, boosting task response and lexical resource.
Use of Modal Verbs for Suggestions/Obligations
“Universities should also ensure that counselling services… are accessible.”
→ Reflects appropriate tone for proposing solutions, enhancing task achievement.
Relative Clauses
“…where senior students support newcomers, can ease the transition…”
→ Enriches sentence variety and precision, contributing to grammatical accuracy and complexity.

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