Academic difficulties in learning among undergraduates in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Abstract EN

Students' learning difficulties have been widely researched at school level, but a rare focus has been given to university undergraduates.

This paper discusses the results of a study on the above issue conducted among the undergraduates in Malaysia.

The sample consisted of 32 students who study in the departments of psychology, English language and Arabic language.

A questionnaire was conducted to measure the students’ academic difficulties in learning under four dimensions: academic difficulties, intellectual and emotional difficulties, perceptual motor difficulties and behavioural and morale characteristics.

It was found that understanding the lectures and weakness in practicing comprehension and memorizing were the major academic difficulties encountered by the participants.

The findings revealed that they less participate in discussions and rarely ask questions to clarify their doubts due to shyness and avoid sarcasm.

The students also expressed that they feel psychological pressure during their studies and find difficult to concentrate on lectures for a long period.

Another major finding of this study was the difficulties they faced in emotional and social integration within the university which deserves an in-depth study.

Further, a follow-up research is being conducted to measure the undergraduates’ cognitive abilities and its associations with their level of academic difficulties.

The findings of this study will have an impact on andragogy and pedagogy of the university system.