Problem Solving

Solutions and Recommendation to the problems

(A).Difficult to accomplish assignment.
Searching methods and ways to complete the assignment from the Internet

(B).Difficult when doing presentation.
Students must first determine their purpose before preparing their presentation
always keep in mind that, you are doing a presentation so , you are the one who in charge in the presentation
responsible to your audience’s feeling and thinking
use variance of pitch to show emphasis on your point
enough preparation is crucial
take a deep breath before starting the presentation and treat the audience as your friends

(C).Retrieving textbook
Scope for old editions of the similar book
find the old editions from your university library or even seniors who previously studied the same course

(D).Deal with homesickness. 
Students can join the club which is organized by the university
students have the opportunity to make new friends from different races and widen their exposure to different cultures
students also can have mind sharing with their friends

(E)Difficult to make new friend
Make the first move
remember their name
smile and be nice to everyone
join some club activities you like after school

(F).Insufficient information acquired during orientation.
Organize an extra orientation
to resolve any of their unfinished business like matters on financial aid, housing, and meal plan by speaking to the university staffs directly, errors like problem logging in their IIS or LMS.

(G).Financial problem when paying fees.
Students can apply Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional ( PTPTN )
students can also apply for school scholarships
people doing well in solution

Indistinct communication between UCSI management and students will result in low effectiveness of study environment, especially to academic, communication, and student’s self-motivation ability. Sometime, external issues are important as well as improving the study environment.

Summary for the research

     After we went through the survey forms completed, we have noticed that newcomers may be facing plenty of difficulties. Many newcomers couldn’t get assist and solution on some of their difficulties such as academic problem, culture problem, communication problem, transportation problem, personal or self-problem, although UCSI has various clubs and organizations are providing assist and solution to some of the difficulties faced by students or members. Base on the problems above, we are likely to discover the hidden part of student’s difficulties, in order to overcome, and build a better student’s affair assistance system. The project of “Difficulties of UCSI first year students” is presented by “The Apprentice Club”. We tried to find out the most common problems of first year students and providing the solution to those difficulties faced, in order to avoid our future juniors trapped into the same troubles.

Please stay tuned!

Common problems to UCSI students

Table 4.1: Survey result via questionnaires.

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The table above shown the common problems faced by UCSI students which are mentioned into the questionnaire survey questions. As we see on the table, it has been divided by Local students and international students.

In the questionnaire, we organized 20 questions about difficulties faced by UCSI first year students. And finally, we have found that there are 5 problems are the most common among UCSI student. Therefore, we are going to figure out each of most common problem above at the following section. The top 5 problems are the most common faced by both of local students and international students, which are languages, friendship, understanding about study, new system and new environment, and some of the difficulties about culture (like: foods).


Difficulty of making new friends:
Pie chart 4.1: Making friends problem to first year students in UCSI.

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A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Base on the chart above, 30% local students are having the problem of “making friends” and the International students are 60% as shown in the above figure. The percentages of “making friends” problem to International students are double compare with local students.

Most of the time students find it hard to interact with other students due to cultural differences. Many are selective of choosing friends and many are very friendly. The communication barrier stands as a common problem among all due to language differences. To build any relationship communication and understanding is essential.
When it comes to group assignments the common most problem is many will end up doing the assignment alone. Some may face discrimination as well; especially international students are happened more frequently.

Factor of language barrier
Pie chart 4.2: Language problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Language is the mother tongue.

Percentage of the problem with language among Local students is 51% and International students are 69% as shown in the above figure.
Language or Communication problem is the major common problem among the students. Language is important in order to communicate, build relationships, learn, teach, adapt and work. Communication is essential to convey one’s opinion and understandings.
For Locals this problem is minor as the majority of them use a common language. Coming from different cultures and educational background Language or Communication problem is faced mostly among International students. Many find it hard to communicate with their vocabulary levels and with the language accent which leads to miscommunication.

Understanding on communication
Pie chart 4.3: Hard understanding problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Hard & Easy Understanding!
Percentage of Hard Understanding problem among the Local students is 53% and the International students are 49% as shown in the above figure.
Understanding helps to learn and proceed with studies and work otherwise it becomes simply hard to complete the task with heart and soul. Many find it hard to study and understand the related text books in order to better understanding .Mostly cause of language understanding barrier as in level of vocabulary, syllabus of the educational background and the cultural adaptation. These are common problem among first year students faced by many

New experience to University education system
Pie chart 4.4: Education system problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Education is the backbone of the Nation.
Percentage of Education System problem among the International students is 51% and the Local students is 37% as shown in the above figure.
The reason International students face problem with Education System most is because of their different Education background. The difference in Education System creates variety of problems among students. Many due to cultural adaptations as coming from different countries and taking Education on their own respective languages face the problem with language and its richness when introduced into a new international environment. And many face problem with technology like computer skills. Many may find LMS and IIS hard to use.
Teaching method may stand as one of the major problems which is dependent on the student’s Education System or background. Many find notes given are insufficient and suffer from it.

Food culture may influence most to the International students
Pie chart 4.5: Food problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Food is one of the common problems that students face.
Percentage of food problem among the Local students is 32% and the International students are 76% as shown above in the pie chart.
The reason of the higher percentage of food problem among International students is because of coming from different food taste or culture. Sometimes tempting food becomes untempt due to its same taste every day. Though there are varieties of food some other problems relating the food is as ‘Halal’. Besides, hostel boarders may be faced this difficulty frequently due to cooking in hostel is forbidden.
Many faces problems with cooking skills and therefore buying the food from restaurants and having the same taste everyday may make the stomach suffer sometimes.